Formulating an Engineering Framework for Future AI Certification in Aviation
A continuous increase in artificial intelligence (AI)-based functions can be expected for future aviation systems, posing significant challenges to traditional development processes. Established systems engineering frameworks, such as the V-model, are not adequately addressing the novel challenges a...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2025-05-01
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| Series: | Aerospace |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2226-4310/12/6/482 |
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| author | Johann Maximilian Christensen Thomas Stefani Akshay Anilkumar Girija Elena Hoemann Andrea Vogt Viktor Werbilo Umut Durak Frank Köster Thomas Krüger Sven Hallerbach |
| author_facet | Johann Maximilian Christensen Thomas Stefani Akshay Anilkumar Girija Elena Hoemann Andrea Vogt Viktor Werbilo Umut Durak Frank Köster Thomas Krüger Sven Hallerbach |
| author_sort | Johann Maximilian Christensen |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | A continuous increase in artificial intelligence (AI)-based functions can be expected for future aviation systems, posing significant challenges to traditional development processes. Established systems engineering frameworks, such as the V-model, are not adequately addressing the novel challenges associated with AI-based systems. Consequently, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) introduced the W-shaped process, an advancement of the V-model, to set a regulatory framework for the novel challenges of AI Engineering. In contrast, the agile Development Operations (DevOps) approach, widely adopted in software development, promotes a never-ending iterative development process. This article proposes a novel concept that integrates aspects of DevOps into the W-shaped process to create an AI Engineering framework suitable for aviation-specific applications. Furthermore, it builds upon proven ideas and methods using AI Engineering efforts from other domains. The proposed extension of the W-shaped process, compatible with ongoing standardizations from the G34/WG-114 Standardization Working Group, a joint effort between EUROCAE and SAE, addresses the need for a rigorous development process for AI-based systems while acknowledging its limitations and potential for future advancements. The proposed framework allows for a re-evaluation of the AI/ML constituent based on operational information, enabling improvements of the system’s capabilities with each iteration. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-da9a3e5cf6e341eda0b33cd32dca0522 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2226-4310 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Aerospace |
| spelling | doaj-art-da9a3e5cf6e341eda0b33cd32dca05222025-08-20T03:26:11ZengMDPI AGAerospace2226-43102025-05-0112648210.3390/aerospace12060482Formulating an Engineering Framework for Future AI Certification in AviationJohann Maximilian Christensen0Thomas Stefani1Akshay Anilkumar Girija2Elena Hoemann3Andrea Vogt4Viktor Werbilo5Umut Durak6Frank Köster7Thomas Krüger8Sven Hallerbach9Institute for AI Safety and Security, German Aerospace Center (DLR), 53757 Sankt Augustin, GermanyInstitute for AI Safety and Security, German Aerospace Center (DLR), 89081 Ulm, GermanyInstitute for AI Safety and Security, German Aerospace Center (DLR), 89081 Ulm, GermanyInstitute for AI Safety and Security, German Aerospace Center (DLR), 53757 Sankt Augustin, GermanyInstitute for AI Safety and Security, German Aerospace Center (DLR), 89081 Ulm, GermanyInstitute for AI Safety and Security, German Aerospace Center (DLR), 53757 Sankt Augustin, GermanyInstitute of Flight Systems, German Aerospace Center (DLR), 38108 Braunschweig, GermanyInstitute for AI Safety and Security, German Aerospace Center (DLR), 53757 Sankt Augustin, GermanyInstitute for AI Safety and Security, German Aerospace Center (DLR), 53757 Sankt Augustin, GermanyInstitute for AI Safety and Security, German Aerospace Center (DLR), 89081 Ulm, GermanyA continuous increase in artificial intelligence (AI)-based functions can be expected for future aviation systems, posing significant challenges to traditional development processes. Established systems engineering frameworks, such as the V-model, are not adequately addressing the novel challenges associated with AI-based systems. Consequently, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) introduced the W-shaped process, an advancement of the V-model, to set a regulatory framework for the novel challenges of AI Engineering. In contrast, the agile Development Operations (DevOps) approach, widely adopted in software development, promotes a never-ending iterative development process. This article proposes a novel concept that integrates aspects of DevOps into the W-shaped process to create an AI Engineering framework suitable for aviation-specific applications. Furthermore, it builds upon proven ideas and methods using AI Engineering efforts from other domains. The proposed extension of the W-shaped process, compatible with ongoing standardizations from the G34/WG-114 Standardization Working Group, a joint effort between EUROCAE and SAE, addresses the need for a rigorous development process for AI-based systems while acknowledging its limitations and potential for future advancements. The proposed framework allows for a re-evaluation of the AI/ML constituent based on operational information, enabling improvements of the system’s capabilities with each iteration.https://www.mdpi.com/2226-4310/12/6/482AI EngineeringW-shaped processDevOpsConOpsODODD |
| spellingShingle | Johann Maximilian Christensen Thomas Stefani Akshay Anilkumar Girija Elena Hoemann Andrea Vogt Viktor Werbilo Umut Durak Frank Köster Thomas Krüger Sven Hallerbach Formulating an Engineering Framework for Future AI Certification in Aviation Aerospace AI Engineering W-shaped process DevOps ConOps OD ODD |
| title | Formulating an Engineering Framework for Future AI Certification in Aviation |
| title_full | Formulating an Engineering Framework for Future AI Certification in Aviation |
| title_fullStr | Formulating an Engineering Framework for Future AI Certification in Aviation |
| title_full_unstemmed | Formulating an Engineering Framework for Future AI Certification in Aviation |
| title_short | Formulating an Engineering Framework for Future AI Certification in Aviation |
| title_sort | formulating an engineering framework for future ai certification in aviation |
| topic | AI Engineering W-shaped process DevOps ConOps OD ODD |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2226-4310/12/6/482 |
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