A Model-Based Systems Engineering Framework for Technology Roadmaps (MBSE-TRM): Application to Electronic Warfare Systems

Technology-intensive industries face accelerating change driven by disruptive innovations, geopolitical shifts, and the dynamics of Industry 4.0. In this environment, managers require strategic tools that can align markets, products, and technologies over time while retaining adaptability. Technology roadmaps (TRMs) are widely used for this purpose; however, current practice remains largely qualitative, workshop-led, and reliant on subject matter expertise. This constrains their utility in dynamic environments. This paper develops a Model-Based Systems Engineering framework for Technology Roadmaps (MBSE-TRM) to address these limitations. The research advances theory by introducing a conceptual metamodel that captures the ontology of TRM, formalizing its structure and lifecycle using SysML, and demonstrating how tacit practitioner logic can be represented explicitly. Validation is undertaken in the domain of Electronic Warfare (EW) against radar, a technology-intensive field characterized by rapid innovation cycles and strategic importance. The findings show that MBSE-TRM enables improved transparency, traceability, and adaptability, supporting managers and engineers in steering innovation strategies under conditions of volatility. By bridging systems engineering principles with technology strategy, MBSE-TRM provides a structured yet flexible framework for aligning strategic intent with evolving technology options in Industry 4.0 and beyond.