The initial activity of this Working Group will be to develop a “coordinated' Open Architecture for Real-time and Embedded System environments that would be mutually beneficial for the various architecture approach(es) to include but not limited to the following -- DoD Joint Integrated Open Architectures, Navy Open Architecture, Air Force Viable Combat Aircraft Joint Council on Aging Avionics, Modular Open Systems Approach Interoperability Initiative, Army Weapon Systems Common Operating Environment and various open architectures from corporations and system integrators.

The 'coordinated' Open Architecture for Real-time and Embedded Systems will leverage the information technology industry investment in the development of commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) components. The use of COTS will allow for easy transition to commercially available advanced hardware and software technology. The major component of this approach is the use of COTS products that are conformant to Open Standards. Open Standards promote conformance at the interface level ensuring compatibility and interoperability. Development of a “truly” Open Architecture will allow for the use of future technology and transition the insertion of components from one generation to the next based on hardware and software products that are conformant to open standards.