Joint Common Architecture Demonstration Lessons Learned – Sikorsky/Boeing Perspective

The Joint Common Architecture (JCA) Demonstration project exercised the Future Airborne Capability Environment (FACETM) Technical Standard and tools as well as the JCA model-driven approach to gather lessons learned and mature the approaches. Sikorsky/Boeing was selected as one of two vendors to develop a software component and its reusable test component to be integrated onto multiple undisclosed Operating Environments (OEs). The model-driven approach was partially successful but required significantly more detail than was initially provided by the Government. The FACE Standard was effective in enabling portability of the software and the test component onto each OE. FACE Verification was pursued and process improvements were identified. Application of the FACE Transport Services did not introduce timing latencies that would impact safety-critical applications. The quality of the lessons learned throughout this effort highlight the importance of demonstrations involving independent teams in order to mature these approaches.