Modular Avionics System Architecture (MASA)-the impact of fault tolerance

The Air Force Modular Avionics System Architecture (MASA) program is defining how the advantages of modular avionics can be applied to upgrades of current aircraft. Life cycle cost (LCC) studies performed for the MASA program showed significant savings when a modular architecture was used to integrate at least two or three avionics functions. These studies also showed no significant LCC penalty for the modular implementation of a single function. Other advantages not quantified in the LCC analysis include increased competition, reduced time lag for technology insertion, and more effective implementation of integrated systems and fault tolerance. Some of the more interesting results were for fault-tolerant modular systems which could provide a high probability of full operational capability for a 30-day combat surge with no line maintenance