The Center for Advanced Life Cycle Engineering at the University of Maryland published a study on Electronic Part Obsolescence.  They identify the wide range of different costs of component obsolescence in the avionics sector.

The costs include:

  • Storing parts for future use
  • System redesigns to use different components
  • Delays in manufacturing
  • Certifying or re-certifying a system
  • The people and tools required track obsolescence

 

They identify some specific examples from Boeing:

  • $81 million dollars was spent on resolving problems with obsolete parts in the F-22 program
  • The Intel 80486 microprocessor was used in the first version of the flight management system for the Boeing 777.  It was made obsolete by Intel before the system was certified as safe to use.

 

This study emphasises the need for all suppliers in the avionics sector to have a reliable supplier of  obsolete electronic parts.