TUTORIAL DISTRIBUTION STATEMENT A Approved for Public Release Distribution Unlimited THE PROBLEM WITH AVIATION COTS

Commercial off the shelf (COTS) has become a byword for acquisition reform, but there are significant risks associated with the use of COTS products in military systems. These risks are especially acute for aviation systems. This article explains how COTS can negatively affect military acquisitions and gives ideas on how to plan and resolve COTS-caused problems. To take advantage of the fast pace of technological advances in industry, the Department of Defense (DoD) is acquiring commercial products and components for use in military systems. Using these commercial items, called commercial off the shelf (COTS), provides the DoD with numerous potential benefits. Primarily, COTS purchasing allows military acquisition to incorporate ne