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SE approach is a must for UAV development, here’s how.

SE approach is a must for UAV development, here’s how.

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) are aircrafts that operate without a human pilot onboard. They are controlled remotely or fly autonomously following pre-programmed flight plans. The Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) market has seen rapid growth in recent years due to advancements in technology and increasing demand from various industries such as agriculture, defense, and media. The market is expected to continue to grow as UAVs are used for a wider range of applications and the technology improves and becomes more efficient. Here are some statistics to give a better understanding of the UAV market:

  • Market size: The global UAV market was valued at over $10 billion in 2020 and is expected to reach $43.4 billion by 2027, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 24.7% from 2020 to 2027. Out of which India accounts for $1.94 Billion with compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 18.4% from 2020 to 2025.
  • Industry applications: The agriculture industry accounted for the largest share of the UAV market in 2020, followed by the defense and media industries.
  • Market players: DJI, the Chinese drone manufacturer, holds a dominant share in the consumer UAV market, with a market share of over 70% in 2020. Key players from Indian market are Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL), Asteria Aerospace, ideaForge Technologies limited etc.,
  • Geographical presence: North America is a major market for UAVs, followed by Europe and Asia-Pacific. The growth in these regions can be attributed to increasing demand for UAVs in various industries and favorable government regulations. These statistics provide a general overview of the UAV market and its current state. The   UAVs are further classified into different types based on applications they are being used       for, some of them include:
  • Agriculture: UAVs are used in agriculture to survey crops and provide farmers with data on crop health, yield, and soil moisture. This information helps farmers make informed decisions about planting, fertilizing, and irrigating their crops.
Agriculture drone
  • Military: Military Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), are used by military forces for a variety of purposes, including surveillance, reconnaissance, and targeted strikes. Some of the key benefits of military drones include Increased firepower, Increased efficiency, to achieve maximum fly time capacity which is not feasible with a pilot onboard.
UAV Drone
  • Film and Media: UAVs equipped with cameras are used by filmmakers and journalists to capture aerial footage for movies, TV shows, and news stories etc.
Drone Camera

Though these UAV’s are different through their application or usage but mutually involve complexities which it makes hard to develop these, they involve:

  1. Meeting Regulatory Requirements: Drone manufacturers must comply with the requirements laid by regulatory bodies such as CEMILAC, DGCA, ICAO etc., the regulation of UAVs is complex and constantly evolving, since different countries have different rules and regulations. UAV developers must ensure that their products meet these requirements, including requirements related to flight altitude, air traffic control, and privacy. Systems engineering steps in at this point to identify the stakeholder, refine their needs, and elicit the requirements specific to the source, providing clear and refined requirements. In this case, the regulatory body will be identified as one of many stakeholders, and its requirements would be elicited so that other organizational departments would be aware of the standard to adhere to or design the UAV in accordance with.
  2. Design of Robust and Reliable Systems: UAVs must be able to operate in a wide range of conditions and environments, including adverse weather conditions and harsh terrain. This requires the development of robust and reliable systems that can operate effectively under these conditions. In Systems engineering the methodologies are clearly defined at an earlier stage, engineers can use a variety of analysis techniques such as Use Case analysis, Risk analysis, Reliability analysis and FMEA etc., with the help of systems engineering principles one can tailor lifecycle models for each stage of development for their System of Interest (SOI).
  3. Subsystems Integration: UAVs are complex systems that integrate multiple technologies, including flight control systems, navigation systems, sensors, and communication systems. Ensuring that these systems work together effectively and seamlessly is a major challenge in UAV development. Systems engineering provides a structured and integrative approach to the integration of multiple systems in UAVs. By using Principles such as requirements management, architecture design with interfaces, and testing, systems engineers can ensure that all systems in the UAV are integrated effectively and work together seamlessly.
  4. Communications amongst stakeholders: Since different stakeholders have a different set of requirements and constraints of their own if proper communication is not established conflicts may arise. Systems engineering helps establish better communication and collaboration among all stakeholders, reducing the risk of misunderstandings and miscommunication and improving the overall success of the system by using various methodologies such as Requirement management, Configuration management, Holistic architecture design etc.
  5. Balancing Performance and Cost: UAVs must be designed to provide high levels of performance while being cost-effective this also includes re-work costs. This requires the development of efficient and cost-effective systems that meet the needs of users while being economically viable. Systems engineering provides a systematic approach to balancing performance and cost in UAV development. By using methods such as trade-off analysis and early identification of errors save component cost which reflects of the total project budget as well, systems engineers can evaluate different design options and make informed decisions about the trade-offs between performance and cost.

To sum up, the development of complex systems like UAVs requires the inclusion of systems engineering because it streamlines the design and development process and offers numerous benefits starting from refining needs to product delivery. The system principles can be tailored according to System of Interest (SOI) and it gives developers an advantage in early error detection, an integrative approach, and proper conciseness on all phases of Product development lifecycle, encouraging ease of understanding process to be carried.

If you are interested in understanding how to adopt systems engineering and model based systems engineering practices within your organization, reach out to BlueKei Solutions team at info@Blue-Kei.com. We specialize in systems engineering consulting, project executions, process adoptions such as compliance to ISO15288, ARP 4754A, ISO 42020. We can also conduct capability development workshops which are experiential and tailored to your needs. With systems engineering adoption you can address the complexity, manage evolving risks and bring transformation in communication within your organization through digitalization and create the digital thread.

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Professional organizations across the world promoting systems engineering

Professional organizations across the world promoting systems engineering

Design and development of large-scale systems, such as defense systems and space missions, led to the creation of systems engineering. The discipline aims to ensure that all aspects of a system, including its technical, economic, and operational factors, are considered during its design and development to optimize system performance and meet user requirements. Systems Engineering is still an emerging practice in most industry verticals to the increasing complexity of technological systems. However, it has proven from its inception how a transdisciplinary and integrative approach can be both straightforward and problem-solving while also helping to reduce the complexity of product development. As a result of systems engineering’s adaptability with several domains, these are professional organizations that endorse Systems Engineering.

1. INCOSE (International Council of Systems Engineering): Is a non-profit organization for systems engineering that has 65+ chapters and 19,000+ System thinkers spread throughout 77 countries. The organization’s mission is to reveal to its beneficiaries the true hidden capabilities of systems engineering. Established in the year 1990 as the National Council of Systems Engineering (NCOSE), it subsequently spread its wings throughout the globe. In 1995, INCOSE emerged off NCOSE to incorporate international viewpoints on systems engineering.

INCOSE

INCOSE promotes the systems approach in its pursuit for a better world, by felicitating internal collaborations between its members of different industry verticals thus providing a platform to all the domains to participate and for knowledge transfer.

Their recent work on INCOSE: VISION 2035 outlines the level of systems engineering in the future that will be required to solve the existing difficulties and the changing global circumstances. It talks about the shift to a completely model-based systems engineering environment and the digital transformation. It deals on the theoretical foundations as well as the instruction and preparation required to create the skilled systems engineering workforce of the future. It also gives an illustration of what a systems engineer’s typical day would be like in 2035.

2. SESA (Systems Engineering society of Australia): The Systems Engineering Society of Australia (SESA) is a Technical Society of Engineers in Australia and the Australian affiliated chapter of the International Council on Systems Engineering (INCOSE).

SESA

SESA is promoting systems engineering and its practices in several ways which includes promoting the value of systems engineering to both industry and government, and it aims to increase recognition of the crucial part that systems engineering plays in producing successful systems and projects.The best practices and standards for systems engineering are being developed and promoted by SESA, which serves to raise the caliber of the deliverables and processes for systems engineering.

3. National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA): Is an American Defense Industrial association established in 1997 with a merger of National Security Industrial Association (NSIA) and American Defense Preparedness Association (ADPA), NDIA was formed.

In order to ensure that military systems fulfil the demands of warfighters and other end users, NDIA makes use of systems engineering through promoting its usage in defense acquisition and procurement.

NDIA also serves as a forum for the exchange of ideas and best practices among defense industry professionals and government agencies. Through its events, meetings, and conferences, NDIA provides opportunities for systems engineers and other defense industry professionals to network, share their experiences, and learn from each other.

4. Indian Society of Systems for Science and Engineering (ISSE): The society started in 2010 at Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), since its creation it has been spreading awareness of systems engineering and its practices.

ISSE

ISSE hosts workshops, seminars, and conferences to educate professionals, students, and researchers on the most recent advancements and systems engineering’s adoption in different industrial verticals.

ISSE aims to advance the field of systems engineering in India and contribute to the development of complex systems in various industries and domains.

ISSE majorly focuses on application of systems engineering in Aeronautics and Aerospace and how complex systems can be indigenized with the aid of Systems Engineering.

5. Royal Aeronautical Society (RAeS): Is a British multi-disciplinary engineering society founded on 1866, also holds the title for “Oldest Aeronautical Society” in existence.

RAES

The group works on developing and updating industry standards for systems engineering, aimed at promoting best practices and improving the quality of systems engineering in the aerospace industry.

The Society publishes technical papers, journals, and reports on systems engineering to disseminate information and encourage discussion and debate within the systems engineering community.

The RAeS Systems Engineering Group helps to advance the field, support the professional development of its members, and foster collaboration and innovation within the systems engineering community.

The recent seminar on “Systems Engineering in Transport” which was a joint event between the IET Automotive and Road Transport Systems, Railway, Aerospace and System Safety Engineering Technical Networks along with INCOSE UK to spread awareness on Systems Engineering applications across disciplines.

6. International Federation for Systems Research (IFSR): The International Federation for Systems Research is an international non-profit group that seeks to promote systems thinking in research and development throughout the globe.

IFSR

They utilize Systems Engineering to advance the study and application of Systems Science and Cybernetic, and also IFSR recognizes the importance of Systems Engineering in addressing complex real-world problems and supports its use in the development of systems.

Through its events, publications, and initiatives, the IFSR aims to facilitate the exchange of knowledge and ideas between systems engineers, researchers, and practitioners from various disciplines.

If you are interested in understanding how to adopt systems engineering and model based systems engineering practices within your organization, reach out to BlueKei Solutions team at info@Blue-Kei.com. We specialize in systems engineering consulting, project executions, process adoptions such as compliance to ISO15288, ARP 4754A, ISO 42020, digital transformations. We can also conduct capability development workshops which are experiential and tailored to your needs. With systems engineering adoption you can address the complexity, manage evolving risks and bring transformation in communication within your organization through digitalization and create the digital thread.