ABSTRACTThis paper considers a number of combat system studies relating to surface combatants, the results of which indicate certain deficiencies in existing systems and equipments within an increasingly hostile environment. This situation is used as a foundation for new technology applications. An overall systems engineering approach is presented as a means of closing the gap between performance requirements and the environment using available technology within traditional guidelines.The combat system environment is discussed under three headings. The immediate environment considers the ship platform restraints on the combat system together with the effects of the life span of the ship, subsystem autonomy, and operational data requirements. The external environment considers mission requirements, the natural elements, the threats, and man‐made interference. The third aspect of the environment is concerned with the need to maintain operational readiness during peacetime.Based upon the environmental considerations, some fundamental Top Level Requirements are derived. The application of available technology is evaluated using three major combat system elements to illustrate an approach to satisfying the postulated requirements. The examples selected include a Vertical Launching System (VLS), a Multi‐Function Phased‐Array Radar (MFAR), and a Distributed Processing System (DPS). In each case, the new technology concept is stated, examined in terms of requirements, and compared with existing systems. Potential approaches, problems and relationships with the total combat system are discussed.Vertical Launching concepts, Multi‐function Phased‐Array Radar concepts, and Distributed Processing concepts are presented. The closing summary addresses the problem of matching requirements to the environment. The systems engineering approach is reiterated as a method to achieve the optimum balance of performance, availability, and cost.