Model-Based Systems Engineering and Integration

Dear Colleagues,

Modern complex system development demands sophisticated approaches that bridge the gap between conceptual design and operational implementation. Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) has emerged as a transformative methodology that leverages digital models as the primary means of information capture, analysis, and communication throughout the systems lifecycle.

This Special Issue seeks cutting-edge research contributions that advance the theory and practice of MBSE with particular emphasis on systems analysis and systems integration challenges. Papers are invited that demonstrate how model-based approaches enhance our ability to understand, design, verify, and validate complex engineered systems across diverse domains including aerospace, automotive, telecommunications, healthcare, and cyber–physical systems.

Areas of particular interest include the following:

• Novel modeling paradigms and frameworks;
• Automated analysis techniques;
• Model-driven integration strategies;
• Innovative approaches to verification and validation within MBSE contexts;
• Model-based testing methodologies, including test planning strategies that span from component-level through system-level testing;
• Approaches for model-driven test program execution and automation.

Submissions are encouraged that address the challenges of managing model complexity, ensuring model consistency across system hierarchies, and bridging different modeling domains and tools. Papers demonstrating practical applications, case studies, and lessons learned from real-world MBSE implementations are especially welcome.

The integration aspect is crucial — this Special Issue seeks research that shows how MBSE facilitates the coordination of multidisciplinary teams, enables seamless information flow between development phases, and supports the integration of heterogeneous system components. Contributions should demonstrate measurable improvements in system quality, development efficiency, or risk reduction through model-based approaches.

Dr. Lawrence Dale Thomas
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Systems is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

• model-based systems engineering
• systems engineering
• systems integration
• verification
• validation
• test planning
• system test