The upgrade program, known as OSCAR (for Open Systems Core Avionics Requirement), is replacing unique hardware and software components of the closed (proprietary) avionics system of the Harrier with commercial off-the-shelf components in an open systems environment.

The Department of the Navy honored the OSCAR program for excellence in acquisition reform because the commercial open systems approach is expected to significantly cut the time and cost of upgrading the Harrier's avionics system -- both now and in the future -- while providing additional capabilities to the aircraft.

Sharing the honor with McDonnell Douglas at the award ceremony in Washington, D.C., was the AV-8B Harrier Program Office at Naval Air Systems Command.

"The timing was right for this approach," said Chuck Allen, general manager of the AV-8B program at McDonnell Douglas. "The Harrier's mission and stores management computers were stretched to their limits from previous upgrades. With more than 18 years of service life still left in the aircraft, we had to find a better, faster, cheaper way to ensure its operational effectiveness well into the next century."

According to Allen, McDonnell Douglas proposed the approach to the Navy in mid-1995 based on its successful development work in open systems avionics. The program was given the authority to proceed in October 1996, with upgraded Harriers scheduled for fleet introduction in November 1999.

"OSCAR is not a research project," Allen said. "It's a real program based on innovative acquisition approaches that will provide more capable and affordable aircraft to the fleet. And because our approach can be used for other tactical aircraft, even greater savings are in the offing for the customer."

The Harrier's new avionics hardware and software modules are being designed to also function in the F/A-18 Hornet and F-15 Eagle. To do this, McDonnell Douglas is building on its experience developing avionics components using commercial processes and standards, object-oriented designs and high-order languages.

In 1996, McDonnell Douglas used this approach to successfully develop and demonstrate a reusable navigation software module in the Harrier, Hornet and Eagle. The Harrier and Hornet were equipped with a power PC commercial processor; the Eagle with a MIPS R4400 commercial processor.

The new mission systems and warfare management computers being developed in the OSCAR program will provide night-attack Harriers and radar-equipped Harrier II Pluses with improved weapon systems and survivability capabilities.

The additional capabilities include the Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM) and 1760B provisions for such future smart weapon systems as the Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM). They also include the new common missile warning system and ALE-47 countermeasures system for greater survivability.

The OSCAR program is being funded with the support of the Department of the Navy, the DoD's Commercial Technology Insertion Program, the U.S. Marine Corps, and the countries of Italy and Spain. Only Italy and Spain are planning to use the Harrier's new AMRAAM capability.