Towards a Framework for Weapon Control Systems

The current approach taken by Naval high assurance Weapon Control Systems (WCS) requires a hefty premium for their highly-engineered low risks products. The alternative is a COTS based strategy that cost less but increases risk and is provided on a large scale for global markets. In this paper we look toward a new approach to the development of WCS software as a method to reconcile the seemingly contradictory equations: deliver more value to Navy programs in the form of high assurance software while simultaneously reducing the total cost by constructing and applying a WCS framework. This paper focuses on the rationale and challenges for the development of a software framework as a reuse technique that can be applied to Navy high assurance WCS. Its application is described in the Cooperative Communication Control Core Engagement software.