Developing, qualifying, and maintaining complex aerospace and defense electronics for service in programs that can last for decades – often far beyond their original planned lifetime – can be costly and complex. Program Managers must deal with many dynamic issues, including rapid technological development, greater use of commercially developed technology, parts obsolescence, supply chain disruption, and limited budgets. All these threats must be continually mitigated to ensure the success of long-life programs.
Electronics solutions based on COTS technology deliver many benefits compared to custom designs, including the latest-generation performance, affordability, and interoperability resulting from open standards. To effectively leverage these rewards, defense contractors must de-risk the short product life cycles typical of commercial devices to eliminate the cost and time that result from unplanned technology refreshes and system re-qualifications.
In many cases, the maintenance costs for a long-life program will exceed the product’s initial cost. That is why many government programs make life cycle management a contractual and supply chain compliance flow-down requirement. Successful life cycle management and supply assurance strategies for long-life programs must be proactive to be effective.
