Open Systems Architecture – A Boeing Product Line Strategy for Avionics Systems

This paper discusses a strategy for both new avionics system development and legacy avionics system modernization, founded on commercial information technology and open system architecture concepts. Boeing began implementing this approach across its military aircraft product line in 1996. The anticipated benefits, as well as the challenges, are addressed. Early returns from Boeing's efforts to transition this strategy into production programs are highlighted, as are some pitfalls that await program managers contemplating a COTS-based modernization initiative outside the normal COTS domains. The aims and results to date of this initiative should be relevant to automotive efforts along the same line.