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Postgraduate DiplomaDefense, Military Engineering & Land Systems Applications open

Diploma in Open Architectures (MOSA/CMOSS) in Defence

Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in open architectures (MOSA/CMOSS) in defence, structured in 8 modules covering modular open systems, hardware and software standards, vehicle architectures, interface modelling, cybersecurity and certification, and acquisition strategy, with an assigned technical tutor.

Duration6–8 months
ModeOnline
LanguageEnglish
Start datesSet by the faculty
AwardSEIUM Institute diploma
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Learning outcomes

What you will be able to do

01

Understand the principles of the MOSA approach.

02

Apply modular hardware standards such as OpenVPX and SOSA.

03

Develop portable software in accordance with FACE.

04

Design vehicle architectures in line with NGVA and GVA.

05

Manage interfaces through modelling.

06

Integrate cybersecurity and certification into modular systems.

07

Define acquisition strategies based on open systems.

Profile

Who it's for

  • Open systems architects looking to specialise in MOSA/CMOSS.
  • Embedded hardware engineers working with OpenVPX and SOSA.
  • Avionics software engineers developing portable components.
  • Vehicle integration engineers on modular land platforms.
  • Standards conformance specialists.
  • Technology acquisition managers in defence programmes.
  • Engineering or science graduates seeking to enter the defence sector.
Standards & tools

What you'll work with

  • VITA 65 (OpenVPX) (modular embedded computing architecture)
  • Technical Standard for SOSA Reference Architecture (sensor open systems architecture)
  • FACE Technical Standard Edition 3.1 (future airborne capability environment)
  • STANAG 4754 (NGVA) (NATO generic vehicle architecture)
  • DEF STAN 23-009 (GVA) (UK generic vehicle architecture)
  • ARINC 653 (partitioning for avionics software)
  • IEEE 1003.1 (POSIX) (portable operating system interface)
  • VITA 46 (VPX baseline standard)
  • Cameo Systems Modeler
  • VxWorks 653
  • Sparx Enterprise Architect
  • MATLAB
Syllabus

8 modules

  1. 1.1The MOSA concept
  2. 1.2Legal framework: 10 U.S.C. 4401
  3. 1.3Benefits and costs
  4. 1.4Key interfaces
  5. 1.5Modularity
  6. 1.6Technical data rights
  7. 1.7Reuse
  8. 1.8Vendor lock-in
  9. 1.9European approaches
  10. 1.10Case study: identification of key interfaces
  1. 2.1OpenVPX VITA 65
  2. 2.2SOSA reference architecture
  3. 2.3CMOSS standards
  4. 2.4VITA 46 and VITA 48
  5. 2.5Backplanes and slots
  6. 2.6Conduction and air cooling
  7. 2.7Processing and RF cards
  8. 2.8Module interoperability
  9. 2.9Conformance
  10. 2.10Lab: defining an OpenVPX profile
  1. 3.1The FACE standard
  2. 3.2FACE architecture segments
  3. 3.3Safety and general-purpose profiles
  4. 3.4Conformance process
  5. 3.5ARINC 653 partitioning
  6. 3.6POSIX API
  7. 3.7Transport middleware
  8. 3.8Component portability
  9. 3.9FACE data models
  10. 3.10Workshop: FACE-conformant component
  1. 4.1The VICTORY framework
  2. 4.2Generic Vehicle Architecture DEF STAN 23-009
  3. 4.3NGVA according to STANAG 4754
  4. 4.4Modular land platforms
  5. 4.5Vehicle data model
  6. 4.6Integration of sensors and effectors
  7. 4.7Power management
  8. 4.8Crew interface
  9. 4.9Programme experience
  10. 4.10Practical exercise: NGVA architecture of a vehicle
  1. 5.1Interface control documents
  2. 5.2Modelling with SysML
  3. 5.3Interface management
  4. 5.4Data models
  5. 5.5Versioning
  6. 5.6Interface validation
  7. 5.7Tools
  8. 5.8Shared repositories
  9. 5.9Interface governance
  10. 5.10Case study: interface model of a subsystem
  1. 6.1Security in open architectures
  2. 6.2Isolation between partitions
  3. 6.3Trusted hardware
  4. 6.4Conformance and certification
  5. 6.5Airworthiness of modular systems
  6. 6.6Integration testing
  7. 6.7Incremental certification
  8. 6.8Vulnerability management
  9. 6.9Supply chain
  10. 6.10Workshop: risk analysis of a modular architecture
  1. 7.1Contracting strategies
  2. 7.2Data rights
  3. 7.3Competition between suppliers
  4. 7.4Life-cycle costs
  5. 7.5Supply chain
  6. 7.6Industrial ecosystems
  7. 7.7Standards governance
  8. 7.8Lessons from programmes
  9. 7.9SMEs in open architectures
  10. 7.10Case study: MOSA strategy for a programme
  1. 8.1System selection
  2. 8.2Key interfaces
  3. 8.3Hardware architecture
  4. 8.4Software architecture
  5. 8.5Interface model
  6. 8.6Conformance plan
  7. 8.7Acquisition strategy
  8. 8.8Conclusions
  9. 8.9Report and presentation
  10. 8.10Final project: final review with the tutor
Methodology, software & labs

How you'll learn

The programme is 100% online on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within each intake, so it can be combined with work.

Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is Cameo Systems Modeler, VxWorks 653, Sparx Enterprise Architect and MATLAB, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Exercises are based on real procedures for defining OpenVPX hardware profiles, developing FACE-conformant components and modelling NGVA vehicle interfaces. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final project.

Standards covered: VITA 65 (OpenVPX), Technical Standard for SOSA Reference Architecture, FACE Technical Standard Edition 3.1, STANAG 4754 (NGVA), DEF STAN 23-009 (GVA), ARINC 653, IEEE 1003.1 (POSIX), VITA 46.

Assigned technical tutor:every module ends with a deliverable that your tutor marks individually.
Standards-based learning:guided reading of VITA 65 (OpenVPX), the SOSA Reference Architecture and FACE Technical Standard Edition 3.1 applied to real cases, not as a theoretical annex.
Industry software:Cameo Systems Modeler, VxWorks 653, Sparx Enterprise Architect and MATLAB, in free, academic or evaluation versions.
Final project:an open architecture project for a defence system, covering key interfaces, hardware and software architecture, conformance plan and acquisition strategy, reviewed by your tutor.
Flexible format:100% online, no fixed timetables, compatible with full-time work.
Capstone project

Build it end to end

Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.

Identify key interfaces
Select a defence system and identify its key interfaces under the MOSA approach.
Define the hardware profile
Define an OpenVPX/SOSA hardware profile with slots, cooling and processing cards.
Develop a FACE component
Develop a FACE-conformant software component with ARINC 653 partitioning.
Model the interfaces
Model the subsystem interfaces in SysML and assess the architecture risks.
Final project
an open architecture project for a defence system, covering key interfaces, hardware and software architecture, conformance plan and acquisition strategy, reviewed by your tutor.
Career opportunities

Where this takes you

Open Systems ArchitectEmbedded Hardware EngineerAvionics Software EngineerVehicle Integration EngineerStandards Conformance SpecialistTechnology Acquisition Manager
Admissions & scholarships

Requirements

  • Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector. No university degree is required.
  • An internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme software.
  • English sufficient to read technical standards.

Ready to start?

Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.

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FAQ

Frequently asked questions

The programme totals 800 hours over 6–8 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.

You work with Cameo Systems Modeler, VxWorks 653, Sparx Enterprise Architect and MATLAB, using free, academic or evaluation versions. Your tutor indicates the free alternative wherever one exists.

A SEIUM Institute diploma, awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the final project. It is SEIUM's own qualification, not an official state degree; its recognition depends on the programme completed and the regulations of each country.

Yes. Modules passed are recognised in a higher programme in the same area (postgraduate diploma or master's). Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.

Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector (no university degree required), a computer able to run the software, and English sufficient to read technical standards.

Start dates are set by SEIUM's faculty for each intake. Our admissions team will confirm the next available date when you apply.

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