The Cost Effectiveness of Integrated Avionics Architectures

Abstract

The analyses presented in this paper examine the benefits and costs associated with integrated avionics architectures proposed for the next generation of tactical aircraft (as exemplified by the Advanced Tactical Fighter (ATF)) when compared to more traditional federated architectures. In an integrated avionics suite the system’s processing capability is consolidated in one or two central processors; in a federated suite the processing capability is distributed throughout the system in black boxes associated with each avionics subsystem. We quantify benefits and costs in terms of dollars. This is possible when we compare integrated and federated systems that have similar functionality, i.e., where mission performance is comparable. The benefits and costs of integrated avionics are quantifiable as decreased hardware life-cycle costs and increased software life-cycle costs.