Describing a technology as “obsolete” usually conjures images of outdated devices like rotary phones or floppy disks, and while these relics may solicit a chuckle about the old way of doing things, for the United States military, the word “obsolete” is far more serious.
For the U.S. military and other government agencies, obsolescence means that critical systems and components are no longer available due to material shortages or manufacturers dissolving, known as diminishing manufacturing sources and material shortages (DMSMS, or just DMS for short). DMS can put military operations in jeopardy, so obsolescence management is needed to avoid the pitfalls of unexpected component shortages or ineffectual systems and to keep citizens safe from global threats.
Unfortunately, the combination of rapid advancements in technology and international strife is making obsolescence more common and thus more dangerous for service members. Tensions in the Middle East and elsewhere could result in trade route blockages, sanctions, tariffs, and other restrictions that can put enormous strains on existing systems. Additionally, massive technological advances like those in the fields of energy efficiency and artificial intelligence can quickly result in obsolete systems that are unable to meet the demands of modern operations.
As an ISO-certified organization appraised at CMMI-DEV Maturity Level 3, Intellisense Systems is ready to redesign outmoded systems from the ground up so that defense agencies can manage obsolescence and carry out their critical work. Here are five ways in which Intellisense Systems addresses obsolescence and improves electronics and systems for important operations.
1. Redesign and Re-qualify Unavailable Parts
If any system becomes obsolete, new electronics and components must be redesigned and retrofitted to complete existing operations and ensure mission success. However, the new or alternative system needs to meet military standards to ensure operational security and personnel safety. Meeting these requirements takes significant time and investment.
With an expert team of engineers that has decades of combined experience, Intellisense Systems is well positioned to redesign and requalify systems for greater efficiency and lower operational costs, saving taxpayer money and bolstering mission readiness.
2. Enable Upgradability with Open System Architectures
From power distribution to data logging to visualization solutions, Intellisense Systems employs a modular open systems architecture (MOSA) for its embedded systems that ensures upgradability and futureproofing for any technological leap. This approach facilitates both hardware and software upgrades with innovations like customizable VPX backplanes and the inclusion of multiple gigabit Ethernet interfaces for fast software updates on military ground vehicles and aircraft. Our MOSA-compliant solutions ensure embedded solutions grow with rapidly advancing technology.
3. Prevent the Price Gouging of Last Time Buys
When hardware, software, or system support ends, organizations will sometimes make an end-of-life or end-of-service-life announcement and organize a last time buy for components or services. Unfortunately, this process typically results in a final auction for components, which drives up the price of support and systems integration. Once these components leave the market, third-party sellers typically become the only purveyors of critical components, usually at a significant markup.
Intellisense Systems helps the U.S. government avoid paying exorbitant costs for limited parts by requalifying and manufacturing critical parts at scale. Because our innovative solutions require fewer raw materials and moving parts, customers are far less likely to need to replace critical components or systems, thus reducing the strain of DMS.
4. Be Prepared to Produce at Scale
As a trusted partner in the Small Business Innovation Research program, Intellisense Systems has won numerous Phase III contracts to mass produce numerous innovative technologies for the United States military and prime contractors. To meet these production needs, Intellisense Systems has nearly 20,000 feet of flexible manufacturing space and two full-volume production lines capable of meeting the needs of many programs or contracts. This space enables components to be manufactured at scale so that parts and supplies are readily available.
5. Accommodate a Multitude of Platforms
By using an open systems approach with embedded systems and visualization solutions, Intellisense Systems ensures interoperability between platforms and programs. From aircraft to ground vehicles to manned and unmanned systems, common components can be used across several platforms. This strategy ensures that no systems or vehicles fall prey to obsolescence and jeopardize the military’s most important missions.