Enabling Linux in Aerospace Applications

The Linux kernel is one of the most successful open-source projects to emerge in the last thirty years. With contribution rates at nine commits per hour, it continues to improve, adding new features and showing no sign of losing momentum. This makes it a useful platform to leverage new technology, as the features are likely already implemented and tested well ahead of proprietary software. However, this rate of change has a downside when rigorous analysis is required to determine if a system can be deployed for a specific application with safety considerations. In addition, development by thousands of independent developers makes it difficult to document a cohesive set of requirements and architecture – necessary elements for flight certified avionics software. This paper will overview Linux kernel evolution, outline the benefits of using Linux in aerospace, and introduce the "Enabling Linux in Safety-Critical Applications" (ELISA)[ep] project working to bring Linux into safety-critical industries. Despite challenges, Linux provides important benefits, making it attractive for avionics. As one of the premier open-source projects in the world, the Linux kernel attracts innovative contributions that represent best practice. Rather than depending on security by obscurity, the open nature of the code provides a crowd-sourced rapid response to security vulnerabilities. The licensing of the kernel facilitates rapid and efficient deployment to a wide range of developers, testers, and customers. ELISA, a Linux Foundation project, brings together industry practitioners from specific domains to enable the practical use of Linux in safety-critical environments along with processes for effective safety analysis. The paper ends describing the overall goals of ELISA, the products, and working groups – with a focus on the recently formed Aerospace working group.