RTCA/DO-178 "Software Considerations in Airborne Systems and Equipment Certification"

A summary of some of the strengths and weaknesses of DO-178 from RTCA.

RTCA/DO-178B deals with software for aviation, a companion to RTCA/DO-254 "Design Assurance Guidance for Airborne Electronic Hardware Considerations in Airborne Systems and Equipment Certification".

Although widely referred to as a safety standard, it almost exclusively deals with the development of software, focussing on Software Levels to determine the processes required.

Due to the lack of general safety management and safety engineering material, this safety standard is most commonly used in combination with another safety standard such as MIL-STD-882 "System Safety Program Requirements"/"Standard Practice for System Safety".

RTCA/DO-178 is available from RTCA, Inc..

One aspect of DO178B which can cause a great deal of consternation is the level of testing required, and in particular modified condition decision coverage (MCDC).

Client:

Boeing Australia Limited, Aerospace Support division in their integration of a Stand Off Weapon to the F/RF-111C for the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF).

Resource:

Contact RTCA, Inc. (www.rtca.org) for RTCA/DO-178 and other resources.