Technology for Affordable Validation and Verification (V&V) Software Design Processes and Safe Flight-Critical Software

Scientific Monitoring, Inc. (SMI) is conducting a research, under an Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) project, on affordable processes and techniques for the Validation and Verification (V&V) of adaptive flight software. In Phase I, we are investigating an improved V&V process and associated techniques which add formalism and automation to ensure more complete and efficient model validation and model checking for intended software. Our results, to date, strongly support the feasibility of applying the process and techniques to adaptive flight software. To continue to mature this technology, the firm proposes to define detailed requirements, develop a full-scale prototype of the V&V technology, and demonstrate the capabilities of this technology prototype on a target application in a relevant operating environment. The goal of the proposed Phase II is to mature the technology to a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of 5 or 6. To ensure the success of the Phase II, the firm has created an integrated product team consisting of industry and academic partners for the development and commercialization of the technology. The anticipated benefits of the technology are: 1) risk reduction for flight control software; 2) cost reduction for software development, test, and upgrade; and 3) cycle time reduction for faster time-to-market (or deployment). To continue to mature this technology, the firm proposes to define detailed requirements, develop a full-scale prototype of the V&V technology, and demonstrate the capabilities of this technology on a target application in a relevant operating environment. The goal of the proposed Phase II is to mature the technology to a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of 5 or 6. To ensure the success of the Phase II, the firm has created an integrated product team consisting of industry and academic partners for the development and commercialization of the technology. Team members include industry and academic experts in the V&V and target application domain.