System element obsolescence replacement optimization via life cycle cost forecasting

Both commercial and noncommercial systems must manage their system effectiveness through the acquisition and operational stages of their life cycles. Once the system design baseline is defined and instantiated, then the challenge is to affordably sustain the physical system elements (SEs), which evolve in response to changing external influences. These influences may include frequent asynchronous SE obsolescence (hardware and software), increased functional requirements, or even external system regulatory changes (i.e., security, import and export laws, and safety standards). This paper specifically addresses the influence of SE obsolescence within a system life cycle. It proposes a model to optimize for the affordability of changes through a defined system life cycle by forecasting SE revisions. Firstly, each system element is described by a unique SE life cycle curve, and secondly, this curve forecasts the possible obsolescence revision sequences through a selected system life cycle. Models are proposed for the system element life cycle curve and the obsolescence revision sequencing. These models are particularly useful in situations where the SEs are independent of one another within a defined system context. In this way, optimized SE changes can be deployed to maximize the operational effectiveness of the system through its life cycle.