The relationship between an advanced avionic system architecture and the elimination of the need for an Avionics Intermediate Shop (AIS)

While Avionics Intermediate Shops (AISs) have in the past been required for military aircraft, the emerging VLSI/VHSIC technology has given rise to the possibility of novel, well partitioned avionics system architectures that obviate the high spare parts costs that formerly prompted and justified the existence of an AIS. Future avionics may therefore be adequately and economically supported by a two-level maintenance system. Algebraic generalizations are presented for the analysis of the spares costs implications of alternative design partitioning schemes for future avionics.