ABSTRACT
In an effort to improve mission effectiveness, modern military advanced avionics systems are becoming increasingly complex through the use of new technologies. A trade-off exists between the use of minimum personnel, and the successful operation of the systems. Since Military budgets in the Western world are shrinking, the politics of military system procurement are emphasising the need to use Commercial Off The Shelf (COTS) systems, where possible, with promises of savings in terms of cost and system development time. COTS equipment refers to a product, such as an item, subsystem, or system, traded to the general public in the course of normal business operations at costs based on current market prices. Spiralling costs have been particularly evident where avionics hardware and software were specially designed to meet military requirements. The bespoke specification of military equipment was an attempt to improve system reliability and utility, thereby decreasing through-life costs. However, such specialised development is costly when considered in terms of both the large amounts of money, and time, needed to design and develop such systems. Moreover, the time needed to bring
such systems into operation meant that they were often seen as ‘out-of-date’ before they became fully operational.
