Modular Open Systems Approach/ MOSA

Definition

MOSA is a U.S. Department of Defense business and technical strategy that requires major weapon systems to be designed with modular boundaries and open, consensus-based interfaces so that subsystems can be competed, refreshed, and replaced without redesigning the host platform. It is codified in 10 U.S.C. §4401 and DoDI 5000.UA, and is the umbrella doctrine that pulls in lower-level technical standards such as Open Mission Systems, SOSA, FACE, and CMOSS. For Collaborative Combat Aircraft programs, MOSA compliance is generally treated as a precondition for inclusion of third-party autonomy stacks, payloads, and datalinks.

Reference attributes

Originating body

Office of the Secretary of Defense

Authoritative reference

10 U.S.C. §4401; DoDI 5000.UA

Scope

Major Defense Acquisition Programs

Primary intent

Open competition, modular refresh

Related terms

• Open Mission Systems (OMS)
  U.S. Air Force government-owned interface standard for airborne mission systems.
• Sensor Open Systems Architecture (SOSA)
  Tri-service hardware-and-software open standard for sensor and EW payload modules.
• Future Airborne Capability Environment (FACE)
  Open standard for portable airborne software components running on a common operating environment.
• C5ISR/EW Modular Open Suite of Standards (CMOSS)
  U.S. Army modular open standard for converged C5ISR and EW payloads on ground vehicles.