Capability Engineering: An Interdisciplinary Approach to Military Capability Development
Time: Wed 2025-12-03 10.00
Location: F3 (Flodis), Lindstedtsvägen 26 & 28, Stockholm
Language: English
Subject area: Vehicle and Maritime Engineering
Doctoral student: Therese Tärnholm , Flyg- och rymdteknik, marina system och rörelsemekanik
Opponent: Universitetslektor Christopher Jouannet, Linköpings universitet
Supervisor: Professor Hans Liwång, Flyg- och rymdteknik, marina system och rörelsemekanik; Ivan Stenius, Flyg- och rymdteknik, marina system och rörelsemekanik, Digital futures
QC 251110
Abstract
This thesis explores how capability engineering can foster trust in innovation and the effective development of capabilities within military systems in response to rapid technological advancements. Specifically, it examines this in the context of capability development through the case of maritime unmanned systems in a military context. Although advanced technologies are becoming more accessible to both state and non-state actors, achieving operational success requires more than technological innovation alone. Capability engineering is an interdisciplinary framework that sits above systems engineering. It integrates value, purpose, and solutions in order to manage complex sociotechnical systems. This study examines capabilities across three layers: technical, sociotechnical and governance. The technical layer focuses on unmanned maritime systems and the challenges of integration. The sociotechnical layer explores humantechnology interaction, emphasising that system reliability depends on the synergy between human skills and machine interfaces. The governance layer addresses standards, laws, doctrines and ethical considerations to form a coherent structure for system oversight. In order to address the complexity of capability development, the thesis introduces the Task-Circumstances-Environment (TCE) model, which offers practical guidance on how to evaluate technological choices. It also proposes strategies to foster innovation, such as improving communication and considering the capability lifecycle alongside the system lifecycle when implementing new technologies. Acknowledging the interdisciplinary nature of military innovation, the thesis draws on systems engineering, ethics, law and defence strategy. It outlines methods to overcome collaboration challenges, such as promoting open dialogue and shared goals. Ultimately, the research presents a comprehensive framework for developing and managing military capabilities, enabling organisations to adapt and remain effective in a rapidly evolving technological landscape. This thesis thus makes three contributions: theoretically it develops frameworks for use in capability engineering, empirically it studies the complex domain of maritime unmanned systems in a military context, and practically it suggests a way to work with capability development using capability engineering.