Manufacturing Readiness Assessment Technique for Defense Systems Development Using a Cybersecurity Evaluation Method

Weapon systems have transitioned from hardware-centered designs to software-driven platforms, introducing new cybersecurity risks, including software manipulation and cyberattacks. To address these challenges, this study proposes an improved manufacturing readiness level assessment (MRLA) method that integrates cybersecurity capabilities into the evaluation process to address the gaps in hardware-focused practices in South Korea. Based on the MITRE adversarial tactics, techniques, and common knowledge, and the defensive cybersecurity framework, this study identified security requirements, assessed vulnerabilities, and constructed exploratory testing scenarios using defense trees. These methods evaluate system resilience, the effectiveness of security controls, and response capabilities under diverse attack scenarios. The proposed MRLA approach incorporates cyberattacks and defense scenarios that may occur in operational environments. This approach was validated through a case study involving unmanned vehicle systems, where the modified MRLA successfully identified and mitigated critical cybersecurity threats. Consequently, the target operational mode summary/mission profile of a weapon system can be revised based on practical considerations, enhancing the cybersecurity assessments and thereby improving the operational readiness of weapon systems through scenario-based, realistic evaluation frameworks. The findings of this study demonstrate the practical utility of incorporating cybersecurity evaluations into MRLA, contributing to more resilient defense systems.