Military Embedded Systems

Topic: SOSA

Story
U.S. Navy investing in MOSA strategies

February 06, 2026

The modular open systems approach (MOSA) mandated by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) in 2019 for all new programs and upgrades has been embraced by all the services, including the U.S. Navy, which produced a MOSA Guidebook on how and why to implement MOSA. In this interview I conducted with Jason Thomas, Systems Engineering Lead for the Department of the Navy in the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development, Test and Engineering, at the September 2025 MOSA Industry & Government Summit, we discussed the guidebook, the current momentum of MOSA strategies, and the benefits of MOSA from a systems-engineering perspective. We also explored common misconceptions regarding MOSA, metrics for measuring MOSA success, and what Thomas would like to see from industry regarding MOSA. Edited excerpts follow.

SOSA e-Book: Leading editorial on the impact of the SOSA Technical Standard in military applications

The SOSA Technical Standard is arguably the fastest growing standard within the U.S. defense industry as new members join the consortium each month and defense programs demand more SOSA content in their requirements. That industry enthusiasm and support for the SOSA approach is why we have compiled this SOSA e-Book.

SOSA Special Edition 2025

The 5th annual SOSA Special Edition from Military Embedded Systems: Don't miss all the great features, product profiles, and subject-matter-expert speakouts!