Cyber Physical Systems (CPS) encompass physical systems in which sensing, control, networking and computation capabilities are integrated. CPS are instrumental to current and future military operational needs. Some examples of military-relevant CPS are unmanned vehicles, weapon systems, mission platforms, Internet of Military Things (IoMT). Given that these systems and platforms integrate multiple cyber and physical subsystems, the CPS design process is a complex endeavour that involves many domains – from cyber (e.g. software, control, computing, and communication) to physical (e.g. structural, mechanical, thermal) to manufacturing. Leveraging appropriate digitalisation along with artificial intelligence (AI)/ machine learning (ML) could lead to digital transformation that facilitates the rapid development of military cyber-physical systems.

Advanced military CPS also impose increasing demands on the communications networks, which include higher data rates, flexible connectivity across peers and echelons, wide-area coverage, mission critical operations, edge services and data/information-centric warfare. Advances in Commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) technologies such as 5G/6G and Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN) may be leveraged to meet these demands.

This seminar will host two talks that seek to illustrate the challenges and demands of advanced military CPS and share on enabling approaches and technologies:

Topic 1 - Digital Engineering for Unmanned Air Vehicles (UAVs): Leveraging Model Based Mission and System Engineering for UAV Cyber Physical Systems Development (Speaker: Mr Prem Andrade, Distinguished Engineer, ANSYS)

Digital Engineering plays a key role in Defense Technology Acquisition globally. There is a move towards model-based acquisition with a focus on meeting the capability needs of an operational region. The motivation is to create a digital thread through the selection, development, testing and operation phase of the acquisition that will enable traceability as well as early virtual verification against mission success.

UAVs play a critical role in modern conflicts. These vehicles must have very high situational awareness of not only other assets (friend and foe) but also of the environment they are in and maintain clear communication, orientation and engagement with a larger system of systems. This talk will cover how digital engineering can create a model-based development of UAVs, starting from capturing the operational needs, to design of key subsystems, to its verification and validation to meet its mission success metrics. It will also cover the role that different levels of analysis and simulation along with AI/ML can be leveraged in this framework.

Topic 2 - Enabling Network-Centric, Data/Knowledge-Centric Warfare using COTS Systems (Speaker: Dr Thein Than Tun, Advanced Solution Engineer, Keysight Technologies Singapore)

The concept of information superiority was based on a simple but powerful premise: Connecting sensors and shooters throughout the battlespace helps warfighters carry out their missions more effectively and rapidly, improving the odds of success and saving lives. The implementation of this concept is commonly known as Network-Centric Warfare. Today’s networking technologies are quickly evolving, enabling them to move more data, more rapidly, and with greater connectivity than ever before.

The emergence of 5G/6G networks presents the ability to support more sensors to support an "IoMT" and the introduction of NTN enhances coverage and reach. Connectivity across planes, ships, Humvees, UAV, USV, AGV, etc, and personnel from edge to command can be integrated via such technologies. The mesh-like Integrated Access Backhaul (IAB) feature allows for resilient extended coverage and range of service. The incorporation of AI/ ML to manage sensor data saturation, user demands, and network management would transform Network-Centric Warfare to Data/Knowledge-Centric Warfare. 5G will also help to secure communications and discover security gaps.

These advances present new opportunities to change how military operations are conducted but at the same time present greater system development and deployment challenges. The increased challenges include the need to understand and analyse impact of operation needs, optimal deployment, system monitoring and the maintenance of highly assured network services. This talk will shed light on some applications associated to, topics and solutions to stay with the rapidly evolving changes.