DO-178C Airborne Software Considerations
by Nick Clark | Published April 25, 2026
DO-178C establishes the dominant aviation airborne-software certification standard with Design Assurance Levels (DAL A-E). Governed actuation provides architectural substrate for emerging autonomous-aviation software certification.
DO-178C Frame
DO-178C (Software Considerations in Airborne Systems and Equipment Certification) is the dominant aviation software certification standard, with DAL-A the most stringent for software whose failure produces catastrophic conditions.
Architecture Implications
DAL-A airborne-software certification requires structural support for verification, traceability, and emerging continuously-improving AI/ML aviation software.
Architectural Mapping
Stage-gated commitment supports phase-decomposed software lifecycle. Composite admissibility supports multi-authority aviation operations. Lineage retention supports DO-178C traceability requirements.
Standard Evolution
DO-178C ongoing revision and emerging FAA AI/ML aviation software guidance both push toward structurally-supported architecture.
