Evolving in-service support models for secure weapon systems

Abstract

This paper briefly illustrates the past, the present and the expected future of in-service support models for typical Weapon Systems, and relates them to the growing cyber security threats. In particular, various security aspects are identified about the increased Commercial Off-The-Shelf hardware and software usage, along with the threats deriving from the higher systems interconnection level achieved on newer systems. Such menaces impact the products themselves, but also drive radical changes for their in-service support model, which may need to shift from the historically established “mid-life update” to more IT-like models, like those based on continuous update and product-as-a-service paradigms. To reach such goals, new processes and new technical solutions have to be introduced in the entire product life cycle; as an example, some evolutionary and revolutionary improvements to the product or to the in-service support model are provided.