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Review Article Volume 10 Issue 1
MBPLE and modeling languages: From features to system models with SysML
Dieter Wagner
Received: November 07, 2025 | Published: February 23, 2026
Citation: Wagner D. MBPLE and modeling languages: From features to system models with SysML. Aeron Aero Open Access J. 2026;10(1):26-35. DOI: 10.15406/aaoaj.2026.10.00245
Abstract
This chapter presents an industrial-strength Model-Based Product Line Engineering (MBPLE) approach and its integration into an end-to-end, model-based development process at a high-technology company. The approach is embedded in an End-to-End ModelBased Engineering (E2EMBE) framework that connects multiple domain-specific models via a digital thread and enforces a Single Source of Truth (SSOT)1 for all engineering artifacts. Building on ISO/IEC 26580 feature-based product line engineering,2 the method uses feature models to manage variability across SysML-based system models and other discipline-specific models. A hierarchical MBSE framework structures operational, functional and structural architectures and enables the definition of 150% models from which product-specific configurations are derived. Variability is captured through starting, atomic and propagated variation points that are systematically traced from high-level capabilities and use cases down to hardware and software components. The approach is realized with widely used tools such as IBM Rhapsody, Capella and PTC Pure::Variants,3–5 complemented by custom integrations for automated feature propagation. The proposed method aims to reduce development time and non-recurring costs while improving reuse, consistency and quality for complex, often safety-critical systems in a highly regulated environment.
Keywords: feature catalogue, variation points, controlled reuse, configuration management, pure::variants
©2026 Wagner. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and build upon your work non-commercially.