5.5.1 Systems Engineering a Systems Engineering Innovation Center

In common with many other companies, BAE SYSTEMS is undergoing significant change to focus on the challenges inherent in emerging classes of complex systems. This led to the concept of an integrated Systems Engineering research and training center, the ‘Systems Engineering Innovation Center‘, founded in partnership with Loughborough University and one of the UK Government's Regional Development Agencies. The Center will expand to encompass wider academic and industrial partnerships which will ultimately span industrial sectors and academic disciplines. This paper describes the Systems Engineering approach to the setting up of this center and describes a number of lessons learned in its development.