KEYWORDS: Weapons, Navigation systems, Databases, Systems modeling, Control systems, Computing systems, Data centers, Lead, Defense systems, Defense and security
The overarching objective for Flexible Weapons is to replace current inventory weapons that will not fully utilize the increased capabilities of 6th generation platforms, with a single weapons kit made up of flexible, open architecture components. Flexible Weapon will develop a common architecture to enable modular subsystems to achieve flexible weapons capability while allowing technology refresh at the pace of technology discovery in an affordable and sustainable design. The various combinations of weapons to address multiple missions must be 100% compatible with 6th generation delivery platforms (fighters, bombers, RPAs) and backwards compatible with 4th and 5th generation platforms.
The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) has postulated a new weapons concept known as Flexible Weapons to define and develop technologies addressing a number of challenges. Initial studies on capability attributes of this concept have been conducted and AFRL plans to continue systems engineering studies to quantify metrics against which the value of capabilities can be assessed. An important aspect of Flexible Weapons is having a modular “plug-n-play” hardware and software solution, supported by an Open Architecture and Universal Armament Interface (UAI) common interfaces. The modular aspect of Flexible Weapons is a means to successfully achieving interoperability and composability at the weapon level. Interoperability allows for vendor competition, timely technology refresh, and avoids costs by ensuring standard interfaces widely supported in industry, rather than an interface unique to a particular vendor. Composability provides for the means to arrange an open end set of useful weapon systems configurations. The openness of Flexible Weapons is important because it broadens the set of computing technologies, software updates, and other technologies to be introduced into the weapon system, providing the warfighter with new capabilities at lower costs across the life cycle. One of the most critical steps in establishing a Modular, Open Systems Architecture (MOSA) for weapons is the validation of compliance with the standard.
KEYWORDS: Atrial fibrillation, Space operations, Target detection, Taxonomy, Weapons of mass destruction, Directed energy weapons, Analytical research, Defense and security, Basic research, Intelligence systems
The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) mission is to provide support to the Air Force (AF) and the warfighters with
an understanding of the science and technology that will form the foundation of future capabilities. AFRL has
developed a strategic research and development process that translates the Department of Defense future capability
needs into mid-term attributes, described in terms of technology achievements. Specific capabilities, like the delivery of
a close-in sensing platform, require technologies from many different disciplines and require aligning priorities for
nurturing and developing core competencies. AFRL's strategic vision is built upon the AF Science & Technology
(S&T) Vision of Anticipate, Find, Fix, Track, Target, Engage, and Access - Anything, Anywhere, Anytime. In order to
realize this vision, AFRL has developed Focused Long Term Challenges (FLTCs) that describe the AF problem space
and constitute the AFRL long term S&T planning.
Conference Committee Involvement (9)
Open Architecture/Open Business Model Net-Centric Systems and Defense Transformation 2017
11 April 2017 | Anaheim, CA, United States
Open Architecture/Open Business Model Net-Centric Systems and Defense Transformation 2016
19 April 2016 | Baltimore, MD, United States
Open Architecture/Open Business Model Net-Centric Systems and Defense Transformation 2015
21 April 2015 | Baltimore, MD, United States
Open Architecture/Open Business Model Net-Centric Systems and Defense Transformation 2014
5 May 2014 | Baltimore, MD, United States
Open Architecture/Open Business Model Net-Centric Systems and Defense Transformation 2013
30 April 2013 | Baltimore, Maryland, United States
Defense Transformation and Net-Centric Systems 2012
24 April 2012 | Baltimore, Maryland, United States
Defense Transformation and Net-Centric Systems 2011
27 April 2011 | Orlando, Florida, United States
Defense Transformation and Net-Centric Systems 2010
6 April 2010 | Orlando, Florida, United States
Defense Transformation and Net-Centric Systems 2009
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