JSF affordable avionics study

The JSF Affordable Avionics study evaluates the cost benefits of commercial practices and related technologies for the strike fighter environment. With the growing cost of weapon systems this study addresses the single largest component, avionics. Avionics, including its software, accounts for 25 percent of the system R&D cost and 30 percent of the flyaway cost. The study uses a variety of system compare and contrast techniques and logistic support cost methodologies to assess cost benefits that may be applied to a JSF system from the use of commercial aircraft best practices, products and processes. The practices addressed include availability, maintainability, sparing, and MTBF cost functions. Using the compare and contrast techniques two specific avionic systems were analyzed: liquid crystal flat-panel displays for cockpits and ring laser-gyro based inertial navigation systems. JSF life-cycle models were used to indicate operational and support cost savings through the use of commercial products and practices.