Software Engineering Institute

The Department of Defense Digital Engineering Strategy seeks to formalize the development, integration, and use of models to inform enterprise and program decisions. Recent SEI work for the U.S. Army’s Future Vertical Lift (FVL) program closes the gap between making architectural software models and ensuring that the software systems conform to them.

The SEI developed Architecture Analysis and Design Language (AADL) models of helicopter avionics embedded in mission systems, the approach to translate the models into executing system code, and code for specific avionics applications, and then loaded it all onto a mission system computer. SEI partner Innovative Defense Technologies validated the property values of the executing system against an analysis of the AADL models performed with the SEI’s Open Source AADL Tool Environment (OSATE).

The approach assembled a tool chain to seamlessly transition from a formal model to an executing system and verify the system from recorded data. The solution enables quick modification and analysis of test posture, ensures conformance to model specifications, and ensures that system requirements are met.

Photos: U.S. Army, Bell