Research and Development
SPA’s research and development (R&D) expertise drives innovation in national security technologies, ensuring defense capabilities evolve ahead of emerging threats. We work closely with clients to define future mission needs, assess technology readiness levels, and explore cutting-edge solutions across multiple domains. Our experts facilitate technology road mapping, conduct feasibility studies, and provide acquisition guidance to transition R&D efforts into operational capabilities. By integrating industry advancements, academic research, and government priorities, SPA ensures that defense and security strategies remain forward-leaning, cost-effective, and mission-focused.
Requirements Development and Analysis
SPA has vast experience in using thorough, data-driven, scenario-based analysis to develop operational, platform, and system requirements that ensure national security. Our process begins with characterizing potential threats, emerging technologies, and evolving operational environments to derive the most critical operational attributes and measures of effectiveness. Then, using Capabilities Based Assessments and Analyses of Alternatives, we enable decision-makers to identify tradespace, optimize resources, and quantitatively evaluate requirements for consistency, cost-effectiveness, and feasibility. To complement our experience with Service requirements and acquisition processes, our team also possesses extensive knowledge and experience with Joint Capabilities Integration and Development System (JCIDS) processes and documentation.
Model-Based Systems Engineering
SPA leverages model-based systems engineering (MBSE) as a foundational element of digital engineering. MBSE enables our analysts and systems engineers to define mission threads, study use cases and schemas, and represent interfaces to better understand system-of-systems interactions. Using both commercial and proprietary MBSE tools, SPA traces architecture configurations to mission performance, ensuring interoperability, reducing risk, and resolving design issues earlier in the life cycle.
Architecture Analysis and Multi-Domain Integration
SPA offers advanced capabilities in evaluating complex mission and system architectures across diverse warfighting domains to assess technical performance, optimization, and multi-domain integration at mission-level precision. Our Model-Based Mission Engineering tool is designed to capture detailed system-of-system architecture components at varying levels of fidelity with a focus on quantitative evaluation of C5ISR capabilities. SPA’s Model-Based Mission Engineering tool uniquely blends high-fidelity digital twins with behavioral modeling in a unified environment. This enables our expert analysts to characterize not only the technical performance of C5ISR architectures, but also how that performance impacts the achievement of multi-domain mission and campaign objectives.
Technical Support to Prototyping and Developmental Testing
SPA supports prototyping and developmental testing to ensure new technologies meet mission requirements. With our deep technical expertise in test plan development, execution, and data collection for component and system-level testing, we refine systems, enhance reliability, and ensure readiness for real-world national security challenges. SPA ensures test plans verify key requirements, align with operational realities, and test critical technical parameters. We work to ensure that test plans adhere to test and evaluation policies, define clear objectives, manage testing resources and costs efficiently, and develop robust plans for data collection, analysis, and test procedures.
Test and Evaluation IV&V
SPA supports program managers and engineers by providing comprehensive Test and Evaluation Independent Verification and Validation (IV&V) for national security systems throughout the test and evaluation lifecycle. SPA applies rigorous evaluation methods, coupled with advanced analytic tools, to define quantitative assessment metrics ensuring that the capabilities under evaluation meet program requirements and performance standards while operating effectively in mission-critical environments through detailed test planning, execution, data collection, and analysis.
Life Cycle Product Support
SPA provides comprehensive life cycle product support to maintain, upgrade, and sustain national security systems throughout their operational lifespan. We develop tailored resource plans, conduct logistics analyses, and manage sustainment strategies to optimize system performance and readiness. Our approach integrates supply chain management, obsolescence mitigation, and cost-reduction initiatives to extend system life while maintaining effectiveness. From initial acquisition to disposal, SPA ensures systems remain mission-ready, cost-efficient, and adaptable to evolving threats. By aligning sustainment efforts with operational needs, we help organizations achieve long-term capability resilience and warfighter effectiveness.
Quality and Systems Safety Analysis
SPA conducts rigorous quality and systems safety analyses to ensure national security systems operate reliably, safely, and effectively. We apply structured methodologies to identify potential hazards, evaluate risk mitigation options, and ensure compliance with stringent safety standards. Our expertise spans safety assessments, failure mode analysis, and reliability engineering, reducing the likelihood of mission-critical failures. By integrating safety engineering early in system development, we enhance operational resilience, regulatory compliance, and overall system performance. SPA’s approach ensures defense and security systems remain dependable in high-risk environments, safeguarding personnel, equipment, and mission success.
Digital Engineering and Sustainment
SPA accelerates the traditional system engineering (SE) life cycle through a holistic digital engineering and sustainment approach. By integrating a digital ecosystem into our systems engineering framework, we provide decision-makers with digital resources to support each stage of the process, without sacrificing technical rigor. Using cutting-edge tools, processes, and architectural frameworks, we help our clients execute systems engineering functions efficiently, improving system performance and sustainability while delivering results at the speed of relevance.
Digital Twins and Virtual Testing
SPA specializes in helping clients perform down-selects and mitigate risk early in their programs through the development and use of digital twins and virtual testing at the architectural, platform, and system levels, all contextualized within warfighting domains. We leverage a suite of SPA-developed and commercial Modeling and Simulation tools that uniquely bridge the gap between systems engineering design and operational research, ensuring traceability from engineering decisions to requirements and, ultimately, mission-level effectiveness. This approach enables our analysts and engineers to go beyond merely verifying design compliance, characterizing performance and conducting trade-offs within a warfighting context.
Systems Engineering and Integration
Subcapabilities
Research and Development
SPA’s research and development (R&D) expertise drives innovation in national security technologies, ensuring defense capabilities evolve ahead of emerging threats. We work closely with clients to define future mission needs, assess technology readiness levels, and explore cutting-edge solutions across multiple domains. Our experts facilitate technology road mapping, conduct feasibility studies, and provide acquisition guidance to transition R&D efforts into operational capabilities. By integrating industry advancements, academic research, and government priorities, SPA ensures that defense and security strategies remain forward-leaning, cost-effective, and mission-focused.
Requirements Development and Analysis
SPA has vast experience in using thorough, data-driven, scenario-based analysis to develop operational, platform, and system requirements that ensure national security. Our process begins with characterizing potential threats, emerging technologies, and evolving operational environments to derive the most critical operational attributes and measures of effectiveness. Then, using Capabilities Based Assessments and Analyses of Alternatives, we enable decision-makers to identify tradespace, optimize resources, and quantitatively evaluate requirements for consistency, cost-effectiveness, and feasibility. To complement our experience with Service requirements and acquisition processes, our team also possesses extensive knowledge and experience with Joint Capabilities Integration and Development System (JCIDS) processes and documentation.
Model-Based Systems Engineering
SPA leverages model-based systems engineering (MBSE) as a foundational element of digital engineering. MBSE enables our analysts and systems engineers to define mission threads, study use cases and schemas, and represent interfaces to better understand system-of-systems interactions. Using both commercial and proprietary MBSE tools, SPA traces architecture configurations to mission performance, ensuring interoperability, reducing risk, and resolving design issues earlier in the life cycle.
Architecture Analysis and Multi-Domain Integration
SPA offers advanced capabilities in evaluating complex mission and system architectures across diverse warfighting domains to assess technical performance, optimization, and multi-domain integration at mission-level precision. Our Model-Based Mission Engineering tool is designed to capture detailed system-of-system architecture components at varying levels of fidelity with a focus on quantitative evaluation of C5ISR capabilities. SPA’s Model-Based Mission Engineering tool uniquely blends high-fidelity digital twins with behavioral modeling in a unified environment. This enables our expert analysts to characterize not only the technical performance of C5ISR architectures, but also how that performance impacts the achievement of multi-domain mission and campaign objectives.
Technical Support to Prototyping and Developmental Testing
SPA supports prototyping and developmental testing to ensure new technologies meet mission requirements. With our deep technical expertise in test plan development, execution, and data collection for component and system-level testing, we refine systems, enhance reliability, and ensure readiness for real-world national security challenges. SPA ensures test plans verify key requirements, align with operational realities, and test critical technical parameters. We work to ensure that test plans adhere to test and evaluation policies, define clear objectives, manage testing resources and costs efficiently, and develop robust plans for data collection, analysis, and test procedures.
Test and Evaluation IV&V
SPA supports program managers and engineers by providing comprehensive Test and Evaluation Independent Verification and Validation (IV&V) for national security systems throughout the test and evaluation lifecycle. SPA applies rigorous evaluation methods, coupled with advanced analytic tools, to define quantitative assessment metrics ensuring that the capabilities under evaluation meet program requirements and performance standards while operating effectively in mission-critical environments through detailed test planning, execution, data collection, and analysis.
Life Cycle Product Support
SPA provides comprehensive life cycle product support to maintain, upgrade, and sustain national security systems throughout their operational lifespan. We develop tailored resource plans, conduct logistics analyses, and manage sustainment strategies to optimize system performance and readiness. Our approach integrates supply chain management, obsolescence mitigation, and cost-reduction initiatives to extend system life while maintaining effectiveness. From initial acquisition to disposal, SPA ensures systems remain mission-ready, cost-efficient, and adaptable to evolving threats. By aligning sustainment efforts with operational needs, we help organizations achieve long-term capability resilience and warfighter effectiveness.
Quality and Systems Safety Analysis
SPA conducts rigorous quality and systems safety analyses to ensure national security systems operate reliably, safely, and effectively. We apply structured methodologies to identify potential hazards, evaluate risk mitigation options, and ensure compliance with stringent safety standards. Our expertise spans safety assessments, failure mode analysis, and reliability engineering, reducing the likelihood of mission-critical failures. By integrating safety engineering early in system development, we enhance operational resilience, regulatory compliance, and overall system performance. SPA’s approach ensures defense and security systems remain dependable in high-risk environments, safeguarding personnel, equipment, and mission success.
Digital Engineering and Sustainment
SPA accelerates the traditional system engineering (SE) life cycle through a holistic digital engineering and sustainment approach. By integrating a digital ecosystem into our systems engineering framework, we provide decision-makers with digital resources to support each stage of the process, without sacrificing technical rigor. Using cutting-edge tools, processes, and architectural frameworks, we help our clients execute systems engineering functions efficiently, improving system performance and sustainability while delivering results at the speed of relevance.
Digital Twins and Virtual Testing
SPA specializes in helping clients perform down-selects and mitigate risk early in their programs through the development and use of digital twins and virtual testing at the architectural, platform, and system levels, all contextualized within warfighting domains. We leverage a suite of SPA-developed and commercial Modeling and Simulation tools that uniquely bridge the gap between systems engineering design and operational research, ensuring traceability from engineering decisions to requirements and, ultimately, mission-level effectiveness. This approach enables our analysts and engineers to go beyond merely verifying design compliance, characterizing performance and conducting trade-offs within a warfighting context.
