Towards the end of the noughties, avionics manufacturers were facing geometric growth in software size and complexity and losing control of project schedules and budgets. Consequently, the Radio Technical Commission for Aeronautics (RTCA) and the European Organisation for Civil Aviation Equipment (EUROCAE) looked to address software development challenges through the introduction of DO-178C – a standard that embraced the contemporary technologies and methodologies necessary to achieve these aims. 

Here we reflect on the thinking that gave rise to DO-178C, and how it built upon its successful DO-178B predecessor.