Naval Aviation Configuration Management

Naval aviation configuration management as a subject is also very interesting. Recently I came across an article that was focused toward Naval Aviation Configuration management and how its roots are in the 1950’s.

Specifically, this was in the ballistic missile projects. The interesting thing is the clear understanding of the importance of configuration management beyond the project completion date.

Naval aviation configuration management – next generation

“The next generation of the Navy’s shipboard aircraft approach and landing system is based on Ship Relative Global Precision System (SRGPS) technology, which will be implemented with hardware and software in a wide variety of aircraft designed for shipboard operations.”

Apparently, the challenge of managing requirements for multiple aircraft system designs is that each design is dynamic and will change during the life cycle of this software-intensive development effort.  Requirements that flow from top-level requirements documents to detailed design documents must be traceable to the hardware and software implementation. 

Requirements flow must also be traceable to test plans and verification matrices.  In essence, a requirements management tool was needed to capture, track, and manage system requirements throughout the project's life cycle.

Naval aviation configuration management – the outcome

The contract winner conducted extensive research to identify a commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) requirements management tool that would open communication between government and industry team members to ensure that well-defined user requirements drove development in the right direction throughout the life of a project.  The ultimate outcome was a full process focus towards configuration management