Military avionics retrofit programs-engineering and management considerations

Some of the factors that should be considered by the avionic systems retrofit buyer in generating his specifications and request for proposal, as well as some of the factors that should be considered by the retrofit supplier and equipment manufacturer in preparing their proposals, are discussed. When replacing obsolescent equipment with new equipment, there is an effect on aircraft cooling and electrical systems which must be considered. The new equipment will require new ground support equipment at all echelons of maintenance. This can be an expensive item in the total retrofit program budget, and several different approaches to the logistic support part of the program are described. Several avionics retrofit programs that have been executed are described, and several aircraft planned for avionics retrofit programs are discussed