Integrated Modular Avionics with COTS directed to Open Systems and Obsolescence Management

This paper describes bow to design open computer systems for mission critical applications within the avionics of military aircraft using Commercial Off The Shelf (COTS) computer components. Design aspects of "Integrated Modula Avionics" (IMA) are incorporated. How these aspects contribute to an effective obsolescence management is also described. The content of this paper is presented within the context of projects currently running at the European Aeronautic Defence and Space (EADS) Deutschland GmbH, Military Aircraft Business Unit (MABU), which are dealing with the subjects COTS and obsolescence.