DO-178C/ED-12C is the internationally recognized guideline for developing safety-critical airborne software. Used by aviation authorities such as the FAA, EASA, and Transport Canada, it provides the framework for planning, developing, verifying, and maintaining software that must perform reliably in commercial aircraft. Rather than dictating how software should be written, DO-178C defines the processes and evidence required to demonstrate that it operates safely and consistently throughout an aircraft’s lifecycle.
Compliance begins with clear, well-defined requirements and extends through software design, coding, verification, configuration management, and quality assurance. Every requirement must be traceable to the implemented code and verified through rigorous testing and independent reviews. This structured approach helps identify issues early, reduce development risk, and provide the certification evidence required for airworthiness approval.
As aircraft remain in service for decades, maintaining certified software becomes just as important as developing it. Software updates, hardware obsolescence, systems upgrades, and continued regulatory compliance all require disciplined engineering processes to ensure safety is preserved throughout the platform’s operational life.
Whether you’re developing new airborne software or supporting an existing certified platform, we provide DO-178C/ED-12C Level A (DAL A) software development, Independent Verification and Validation (IV&V), certification support, and long-term avionics lifecycle engineering.
