What could we do as a community of defense industry innovators to get beyond the problem that the government simply does not know how to develop, buy, integrate, test, and deploy modular solutions. Well, we could just build it for them. We already know how to do this as a US industrial base, so why wait for them. What they DO know how to purchase are things already commercially offered. So let’s offer something commercially.
How do we know that a system has “MOSA Inside”? Looking beyond the immediate acquisition obstacles, we have the opportunity to create a MOSA Marketplace for Defense to enable products that have been vetted against various standards and integrated by independent third party verification teams to empower our acquisition force with “MOSA-Ready” components available for rapid procurement.
Building the MOSA Marketplace: Accelerating Defense Innovation Through Open Systems and Industry Collaboration
The US Defense Industry must evolve. Modularity and interoperability are no longer aspirations—they are imperatives. The Department of Defense (DoD) has embraced the Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA) as a foundational principle for developing and acquiring weapon systems. This shift reflects the need to integrate cutting-edge technologies swiftly while ensuring that systems remain adaptable and upgradeable over time.
Yet, despite growing alignment around MOSA principles, the defense ecosystem lacks a centralized hub where modular components, compliant with open standards, can be cataloged, verified, and acquired. The solution? A MOSA Marketplace—an open, collaborative environment akin to Amazon for hardware or SourceForge for software, connecting government program managers with verified solutions from industry.
Why MOSA Matters Now
The December 2024 Tri-Service Memorandum on MOSA underscored the urgency of this transition. It mandated that all Major Defense Acquisition Programs (MDAPs) incorporate MOSA principles, leveraging open architectures like the Sensor Open Systems Architecture (SOSA), Future Airborne Capability Environment (FACE), and Vehicular Integration for C4ISR/EW Interoperability (VICTORY).
These standards ensure interoperability, reduce costs, and accelerate the deployment of advanced capabilities by preventing vendor lock-in. However, while the policy exists, translating it into seamless execution requires bridging the gap between policy and industry practice.
We need to shift from viewing MOSA as just an engineering requirement to seeing it as a marketplace opportunity. The work on 18theses.com highlights the systemic challenges of defense acquisition, however misses the key issue that modularity is something we can actually execute against NOW without requiring any reform at all (perhaps just some clarification of budget rules). The article does argue that fostering competition at the module level—rather than across entire platforms—is critical to maintaining U.S. technological superiority .
A Marketplace for Modular Defense
The concept of a MOSA Marketplace builds on these principles by creating a digital environment where industry can showcase MOSA-compliant modules and subsystems, complete with:
• Standard Listings: Components tagged by SOSA, FACE, VICTORY, and other standards.
• Verification and Testing: Demonstration results, certifications, and field test data.
• Digital Twins: Downloadable virtual models for integration and testing.
• Contract Pathways: OTA (Other Transaction Authority) options for rapid acquisition.
In many ways, the marketplace echoes the FEDRAMP model for cybersecurity, where cloud vendors are vetted for compliance. But unlike FEDRAMP, the MOSA Marketplace would focus on hardware and software integration at the module level.
Imagine a government program manager browsing for software, avionoics, radar, or sensor components as easily as purchasing secure software services on FedRamp. This reduces procurement time from years to months, if not weeks.
The Role of OTAs and Consortia
One of the most promising pathways to building the MOSA Marketplace lies within the OTA consortium model. Groups like the Vertical Lift Consortium (VLC) have already demonstrated their ability to drive innovation and collaboration through the Aviation and Missile Technology Consortium (AMTC) OTA and by facilitating rapid integration at the MOSA Summit. By aligning marketplace development with these consortia, we can ensure rapid adoption and scalability.
The marketplace would serve as a neutral aggregator—populated by consortium members but accessible to all DoD branches and agencies. This model not only streamlines procurement but also enhances visibility for small and mid-sized defense firms, leveling the playing field in a traditionally prime-contractor-dominated space.
Driving Toward a Pilot
Building the MOSA Marketplace will not happen overnight, but early pilots could pave the way. The National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA), The Object Management Group, the Open Group, and more offer immediate venues for collaboration and standards making, and the OTA oriented consortia offer pathways for rapid contracting and prototyping.
To catalyze this effort, industry leaders should:
1. Engage with OTA Consortia to discuss marketplace concepts and requirements.
2. Participate in Pilot Programs that focus on MDAPs already leveraging MOSA principles.
3. Contribute to Standard Development by supporting consortia like SOSA, FACE, and VICTORY.
A Call to Action
The defense industrial base stands at a crossroads. We can continue to develop isolated systems that face obsolescence within a decade, or we can embrace a collaborative, modular future that fosters continuous innovation.
The MOSA Marketplace represents more than a procurement tool—it is a strategic enabler for the future of defense acquisition. By supporting this initiative, industry can play a pivotal role in shaping the next generation of warfighting capabilities while unlocking new markets and opportunities.
Let’s build the future together—one module at a time.
