Combat Systems Engineering: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries

Program Overview

Combat Systems Engineering prepares professionals to design, integrate, and optimize advanced military systems within complex, networked operational environments. This multidisciplinary field emphasizes the strategic application of systems engineering principles to ensure seamless interoperability across air, land, and sea combat platforms while enhancing mission effectiveness and operational resilience.

• Systems Engineering: A structured approach to managing the lifecycle of complex combat systems, ensuring all components work together efficiently and meet mission-critical requirements.
• Computer Programming: Development and implementation of software systems that control and coordinate combat platform functions, including real-time data processing and autonomous operations.
• Chemical and Biological Systems: Study of hazardous materials and their impact on military systems, including protective measures, detection technologies, and response protocols.
• Material Systems: Evaluation and selection of advanced materials for durability, stealth, and performance under extreme combat conditions.
• Human Factors Engineering: Design of systems with cognitive, physical, and psychological human performance in mind to improve operator efficiency and safety.
• Combat Environments: Analysis of operational conditions across diverse terrains, climates, and threat landscapes to inform system design and deployment strategies.
• Sensor Systems: Integration and optimization of radar, electro-optical, and electronic warfare sensors for situational awareness and target acquisition.
• Threat and System Risk Assessment: Proactive identification and mitigation of vulnerabilities through predictive modeling and scenario-based evaluation.
• Conventional and Unconventional Weapons: Technical and strategic understanding of both standard munitions and non-traditional weapon systems, including their integration and effects.
• Combat Simulation: Use of high-fidelity modeling and simulation tools to test system performance, train personnel, and evaluate operational outcomes in virtual environments.
• Reliability and Maintenance: Strategies to ensure long-term system availability, reduce downtime, and implement predictive maintenance protocols.
• Testing and Validation: Rigorous evaluation procedures to confirm system functionality, safety, and compliance with performance standards under real-world conditions.
• Engineering Project Management: Leadership and coordination of multidisciplinary teams to deliver complex systems on time, within budget, and aligned with strategic objectives.
• Strategic Planning: Development of long-term technical and operational roadmaps that align system capabilities with evolving defense needs and emerging threats.