DO-178C for Department of War | Performance Software
Who we serve / Defense
DO-178C

Accelerating DO-178C Certification for Mission-Critical DoW Software

As the Department of War accelerates adoption of DO-178C to meet evolving airworthiness and safety requirements, programs face growing pressure to deliver certifiable software on schedule. Performance partners with defense OEMs and integrators to engineer and certify safety-critical avionics software for defense and dual-use platforms—reducing risk, maintaining schedule, and ensuring mission readiness.

28+
Years in aerospace & defense
500+
Successful programs
$100M+
Defense Programs
450+
Engineering professionals
What is DO-178C?
The standard for airborne software

DO-178C is the commercial industry standard for developing safety-critical airborne software, defining the processes needed to ensure reliable performance across all operating conditions.

For DoW aviation and mission systems, it is essential for demonstrating airworthiness, enabling platform integration, and ensuring operational safety.

Your trusted certification partner
DO-178C is in our DNA

DO-178C software development is an integral part of our DNA—it's what we do. With deep technical expertise across Design Assurance Levels (DAL) A through E, Performance provides end-to-end certification leadership for mission-critical systems.

Customers trust Performance when certification risk and schedule pressure are highest—and return program after program because we deliver certification certainty.
Avionics expertise
Avionics domains we cover

Our in-house engineers are deeply experienced across every major avionics domain found in aviation platforms—fixed-wing, rotary, and unmanned systems.

Communications
Flight displays
Flight controls
Flight management systems
Engine controls
Power distribution systems
Cabin management systems
Embedded platforms
Software development capabilities
Full-lifecycle DO-178C services

Performance delivers and manages all phases of DO-178C development—from planning documentation and requirement definition through system integration and post-delivery support.

Planning & requirements

PSAC, SDP, SVP, SCMP, and SQAP documentation. High-level and low-level requirement definition compliant with all DO-178C objectives.

Software design & coding

Architecture design, detailed design, and source code across C, C++, Ada, and autocode from MATLAB/Simulink and SCADE. Full standards compliance.

Test development & execution

Test plans, cases, and procedures. Automated frameworks, CI/CD pipelines, and structural coverage analysis including MC/DC for DAL A programs.

Certification & audit support

DER support, certification evidence creation, Software Quality Assurance (SQA), and full audit support through FAA, Transport Canada, and ANAC.

Model-based development

SCADE, MATLAB/Simulink, Rhapsody, MagicDraw, and FACE architecture. Autocode generation and Simulink Code Inspector compliance.

Systems integration & test

ARP-4754A requirements, lab equipment development, data acquisition, diagnostics, and full system-level integration and verification.

Why Performance
Trusted Safety-Critical Software Partners.
  • Mission-critical expertiseDO-178C development and certification across DAL A–E systems—from the simplest to the most complex defense programs.
  • End-to-end executionFrom planning and requirements through integration, verification, and sustainment—one partner for your entire program lifecycle.
  • Flexible engineering supportScalable engineering support tailored to programs of all sizes and complexities—whether augmenting your team or leading full development.

Preferred supplier status

Trusted worldwide by defense OEMs and suppliers. Long-standing preferred supplier relationships built through consistent on-time, on-budget delivery.

Technical program management

Performance takes ownership of software programs from start to finish—managing resources, overseeing delivery, and deploying scaled agile scrum teams to ensure program success.

Design Assurance Levels
Full DAL A through E coverage

DO-178C defines five Design Assurance Levels based on failure condition severity. Performance has the processes, tools, and experience to meet all objectives—at every level—for DoW platforms.

A
Catastrophic
May cause loss of aircraft or crew
Supported
B
Hazardous
Severe reduction in safety margins
Supported
C
Major
Significant safety margin reduction
Supported
D
Minor
Slight reduction, crew action required
Supported
E
No effect
No safety effect on operation
Supported
Emerging technology
AI-assisted engineering

Performance applies AI-assisted engineering across DO-178C programs to improve efficiency, code quality, and verification while maintaining certification compliance. We are actively deploying these capabilities across dozens of customer programs and internal advanced technology initiatives, enabling faster, more consistent, and insight-driven development.

Industry & regulatory partnerships
Strong certification relationships

DER partnerships

Established relationships with Designated Engineering Representatives (DERs) support efficient coordination and well-aligned certification reviews—reducing rework and schedule risk on your program.

FAA partnerships

Close collaboration with FAA representatives ensures alignment with certification expectations from the start—minimizing late-stage surprises and keeping your program on track.

Ready to launch your next DO-178C program?

Submit the form and one of our experts will be in touch to discuss your program needs.

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