While the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) is embracing the integration of open architecture (OA) concepts into future weapon systems, its deputy director warned not all components will be open.
MDA Deputy Director Air Force Brig. Gen. Kenneth Todorov said Tuesday functions that support critical processes like time, safety and accuracy might not use the tenants of OA. Todorov said, for example, there may be some fire control applications within a specific weapon system that MDA may not want to be totally open.
When asked why those processes should remain closed architectures, Todorov declined to elaborate, but said decisions moving forward on what components would be closed could be based on security concerns.
“There could be issues we are worried about or (perhaps) vulnerabilities that certain components of systems may need to stay closed,” Todorov told an audience at Defense Daily’s Open Architecture Summit in downtown Washington. “I think it will come down to safety, security and reliability criteria.”
Todorov assured a largely-industry audience that these closed components of future OA systems would “absolutely” be the exception and not the norm. MDA is writing language about openness into future contracts and proposals, Todorov said, including an upcoming request for proposals (RFP) for a long-range discriminating radar destined for Alaska. Todorov told industry it will be stipulated that OA must be a part of their proposals.
OA is an approach to requirements that is designed to make adding, upgrading and swapping components easier and cheaper. The Defense Department approach to OA enables acquisition and engineering communities to design for affordable change, employ evolutionary acquisition and spiral development and develop an integrated roadmap for system design and development.
Todorov did his best to convince industry skeptics of the benefits of OA. Todorov said industry will have more business opportunities through increased competition for programs, though he admitted that some in industry may not like that. OA systems also reduce reliance on a single vendor, he said.
OA systems are ultimately good for the nation, Todorov said, as it allows weapon systems to be upgraded for improved performance at a more affordable price to help keep up with ever evolving threats.
“Rather than throwing out a behemoth investment, we can build on and make it better at a greatly reduced cost,” Todorov said.