Combat System Application of Change-Tolerant Technology: Using Rules Engine for Decision Automation

Advances in threats, geopolitical developments, and commercial technologies continually challenge combat system stability because they constantly create new demands and therefore requirements for the system. Because the life cycle of major Department of Defense (DoD) systems can last decades, long-fielded systems in particular are vulnerable to requirements creep. One technique to mitigate the impact requirements volatility can have on a system is through the implementation of technologies that have been developed to allow the system to adapt while minimizing the effect of change on the system as a whole. This paper investigates the application of one such technology-Rules Engine-to the Decision Automation domain of two Navy combat systems. This paper also proposes modifications to the systems engineering process given that using change-tolerant technologies affects the way a system can be developed and maintained.