DRIVING A MORE AGILE
AND CONNECTED BATTLESPACE
A modular open systems approach (MOSA) is a priority of Future Vertical Lift because of its criticality to building a truly best-in-class FVL ecosystem. Not only does an open-systems architecture allow for greater mission flexibility, it also enables easier and faster advancements over time as new capabilities are integrated into the program. When systems are built with common languages, it also enables efficiency and cost reduction for upgrades, add-ons and training.
Collins Aerospace has been a pioneer in avionics open systems architecture for more than 30 years. Our avionics technology has been part of the Army’s Special Operations fleet since 2001 and in other pathfinder programs leading the way for open-systems architected avionics upgrades on over 20 different aircraft types. Our avionics solution for FVL builds on that legacy while focusing on a separation between the air vehicle and mission system in order to enable rapid third-party integration into the field for today’s and tomorrow’s warfighter.
Our new and 20-times more powerful Vehicle Management Computer (VMC) is built with open-source software that offers flexibility to add a wide variety of applications – including fully autonomous flight capabilities. The VMC’s capabilities will also support the Army’s Degraded Visual Environment (DVE) requirement so that its helicopter pilots can devote more focus to their missions and less to the environments they’re flying in.
"Open-systems solutions paired with ultramodern cybersecurity and mission systems integration provide the solid foundation future military rotorcraft needs to help power the connected, multi-domain battlespace and consistently stay ahead of its most powerful adversaries with efficiency, agility, resilience and lethality."