SEMPER - Part III

Welcome to Wired!

Let us begin to delve further into the various elements of the SEMPER model. In this edition I’ll begin to share with our readers the various components necessary to ensure that your avionics system platform modifications yield the greatest return on investment and are scaleable enough to last the projected life cycle of your aircraft or fleet. The SEMPER process elements are the Migration Strategy, Life Cycle Cost Estimation and the application of COTS/Open Source architecture; however, system architecture, alternatives analysis, program approval, the solicitation of providers and suppliers, sourcing and implementation all play obvious and important roles when condisering the goals of the overall business unit charged with undertaking the campaign.

While the “standard” systems engineering process is an essential ingredient, there are three unique elements of SEMPER. These are the development of a migration strategy for the aircraft that is time phased to the budgeting process. This shows the strategy for the system projected over the longer term, usually 10 to 15 years. A second unique element is the use of life cycle cost estimates throughout the process to support the system engineering IPT and the customer's program decision and budgeting process. Open Systems application is the third element and the mechanism to effect the modifications and retain the ability to do later upgrades at reasonable cost. SEMPER can be considered to be the incorporation of new techniques for internally or collaboratively with the assistance of integrators such as ASIG, to develop a technical migration and evolution strategy, performing CAIV estimation as a recurring process throughout the pre-RFQ activities and applying Open Systems or COTS technologies. Thus in aggregate, SEMPER is comprised of no startling new techniques. Many of these SEMPER precepts evolved from our experience with the retrofit of classic and contemporary transport category airframes; and, by capturing lessons learned and subsequently consolidating and applying these methodologies as a formal process for the accomplishment of analogue-to-digital conversions of legacy aircraft. The SEMPER model is adding capability, reliability and expediting return on investments and is a proven technique towards modernizing aircraft cockpits. Some of our success in getting various DC-8, B737 & MD-80 programs through customer approval and budget approvals can be attributed to the migration strategies that identified the viable alternatives. Not to be understated, life cycle cost estimates were also a key factor that has allowed our customers to determine their specific level of affordability for an upgrade program.

Next time we will review the application of SEMPER as discussed in relation to the traditional steps in a major avionics upgrade.

Until then, stay 5x5, Mission Ready & Wired!