Avionics Architecture Design for a Future Generation Fighter Aircraft

In this work, we provide insight on the avionics architecture design process for a future generation fighter program. This program carries a unique development phasing strategy which includes the design of the Block-0 prototype in 2026, the design of the Block-l in 2028 and full scale production block in 2030. Given this cascaded and progressive schedule, we consider an avionics architecture design process which can be further enhanced even during the development phase. However, all the design, integration, verification and long term modification activities of the fighter program are tightly coupled to the avionics architectural selections. In that sense, one the major architectural design drivers are to establish a design strategy and program flowchart to prevent extensive re-testing and re-certification issues between the different blocks of the program. In light of these constraints and schedule and cost risks, we consider a phase by phase progressive architecture development which can provide a basis for risk reduction through demonstrations, analyses, and modeling efforts. In that sense, we first review a) similar type of fighter aircrafts' avionics architectures and b) potential new technologies that will be available within the development cycle. Specifically, we highlight the main challenges that the system engineer must consider from technical, technology window, technology readiness, export licence and industrialization perspective. Specifically, for each of the blocks, different types of avionics architectures ranging from federated architecture to Integrated Modular Avionics (IMA) and Open System Architecture (OSA) are analyzed. In this work, we provide in detail the current avionics architecture for Block-0 Initial Operational Capability (IOC) which utilizes mainly Commercial off the Shelf (COTS) equipment and systems.