![\"MOSA\"](\"https:\/\/www.jamasoftware.com\/media\/2023\/05\/2023-05-03-mosa-2-1.jpg\")
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On April 6th the GAO handed down a denial to Sikorsky-Boeing proposal protest of the Army tiltrotor award to Textron Bell team. This program is called the Future Long Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA) which is supposed to be a replacement for the Blackhawk helicopter. In reading the Decision<\/a> from the GAO, it is apparent that there was a high degree of importance placed on using a Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA) as an architecture technique for the design and development. For example, the protest adjudication decision reveals, \u201c\u2026[o]ne of the methods used to ensure the offeror\u2019s proposed approach to the Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA) weapon system meets the Army\u2019s MOSA objectives was to evaluate the offeror\u2019s functional architecture.\u201d Sikorsky failed to \u201callocate system functions to functional areas of the system\u201d in enough detail as recommended by the MOSA standard down to the subsystem level which is why they were given an Unacceptable in the engineering part of their proposal response.<\/p>\n MOSA will enable aerospace products and systems providers to not only demonstrate conformance to MOSA standards for their products but allow them to deliver additional MOSA-conformant products and variants more rapidly. By designing for open standards from the start, organizations can create best-in-class solutions while allowing the acquirer to enable cost savings and avoidance through reuse of technology, modules, or elements from any supplier via the acquisition lifecycle.<\/p>\n A Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA) is a business and technical framework that is used to develop and acquire complex systems. MOSA emphasizes the use of modules that are designed to work together to create a system that is interoperable, flexible, and upgradeable. To do this MOSA\u2019s key focus is designing modular interface commonality with the intent to reduce costs and enhance sustainability efforts.<\/p>\n More specifically, according to the National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA), \u201cMOSA is seen as a technical design and business strategy used to apply open system concepts to the maximum extent possible, enabling incremental development, enhanced competition, innovation, and interoperability.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n Further, on January 7, 2019, the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) issued a memo, signed by the Secretaries of the Army, Air Force, and Navy, mandating the use of the Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA). The memo states that \u201cMOSA supporting standards should be included in all requirements, programming and development activities for future weapon system modifications and new start development programs to the maximum extent possible.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n In fact, this mandate for MOSA is even codified into a United States law (Title 10 U.S.C. 2446a.(b), Sec 805) that states all major defense acquisition programs (MDAP) are to be designed and developed using a MOSA open architecture.<\/p>\n MOSA has become increasingly important to the DoD where complex systems such as weapons platforms and communication systems require a high level of interoperability and flexibility. Their main objective is to ensure systems are designed with highly cohesive, loosely coupled, and severable modules that can be competed separately and acquired from independent vendors. This allows the DoD to acquire systems, subsystems, and capabilities with increased level of flexibility of competition over previous proprietary programs. However, MOSA can also be applied to other industries, such as healthcare and transportation, where interoperability and flexibility are also important considerations.<\/p>\n The basic idea behind MOSA is to define architectures that are composed of more, more manageable modules that can be developed, tested, and integrated independently. Each module is designed to operate within a standard interface, allowing it to work with other modules and be easily replaced or upgraded.<\/p>\n The DOD requires the following to be met to satisfy a MOSA architecture:<\/p>\n And, according to the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021<\/a>, \u201cthe 2021 NDAA and forthcoming guidance will require program officers to identify, define, and document every model, require interfaces for systems and the components they use, and deliver these modular system interfaces and associated documentation to a specific repository.\u201d<\/p>\n MOSA implies the use of open standards and architectures, which are publicly available and can be used by anyone. This helps to reduce costs, increase competition, and encourage innovation.<\/p>\n MOSA, an important element of the national defense strategy, is important for complex systems development because it provides a framework for developing systems that are modular, interoperable, and upgradeable. Here are some reasons why MOSA is important:<\/p>\nExamining MOSA<\/h3>\n
What is a Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA)?<\/h6>\n
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Why is MOSA important to complex systems development?<\/h3>\n
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