Aviation Electronic Combat Office

The Aviation Electronic Combat Office is responsible for centralized avionics management for Army aircraft systems. The office is implementing the Army's strategy for aging avionics by fostering an open-systems architecture environment and by improving obsolescence management. Using MOSA, the Army is replacing legacy systems through the modernization of major platforms. In addition, horizontal technology integration initiatives, such as the joint tactical radio system (JTRS), will provide common solutions to improve platform performance, reduce size and weight, mitigate against obsolescence, and reduce TOC.

Modernization Through Spares/Continuous Technology-Refresh Program

Obsolescence management is being addressed through preplanned product improvement programs that emphasize reliability and technology-transition plans to reduce TOC. Initially called the Modernization Through Spares Program, the program is now the Continuous Technology-Refresh Program. The rationale for the acquisition of spares is to replace obsolescent parts, maintain performance levels, and avoid failures caused by a lack of parts. Savings will be reinvested in future programs (Johnston, 2000).

Aviation Applied Technology Directorate

The Aviation Applied Technology Directorate (AATD) establishes science and technology strategy for the aviation fleet. Obsolescence and DMS have impacted not only aging aircraft, but also the Apache Longbow and Comanche platforms, which have not yet been fully fielded. AATD is addressing these problems in several ways, notably through the Rotary Open-System Architecture (ROSA) Program and ROSA-D, a demonstration program for the ROSA technology (D. Johnson, 2000).

Rotary Open-System Architecture Program

The objective of the ROSA Program is to select, develop, and evaluate key components of an open-system avionics architecture for dual application to military and civilian rotorcraft. The goal is to create a rotorcraft technical architecture for Army aircraft that would provide descriptions and design standards for high-speed networks, integrated processors, and other commercial off-the-shelf (COTS)-based components. The ROSA-D Program, which is currently unfunded, would demonstrate the applicability and feasibility of concepts developed under the ROSA Program (D. Johnson, 2000).

Lockheed Martin

The Boeing Company