COTS Products – Rapid Innovation for the Defence Industry
The current geopolitical climate has led to rapid investment in Defence. Traditionally, defence projects have long lead times due to extensive validation and qualification processes. Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) products offer a highly efficient and fast way to achieve technological advancements. But how can commercial products meet the stringent demands of the military?
EltrexPro, a sister company of Eltrex Motion, specialises in applications for extreme environments. With extensive experience in deploying COTS products in defence projects, the company, for instance, developed an electromechanical actuator with integrated control electronics for use in a gun turret.
Due to specific requirements and high time pressure, products with short delivery times were creatively selected for the prototype. In parallel with the functional testing, a second version of the prototype was built using COTS components. Prior to serial production, EltrexPro also handled the full qualification of the actuator. But what are the benefits and challenges of this approach?
Existing commercial products
The biggest advantage is cost savings. Instead of developing expensive, custom-built systems, defence-related companies can use readily available commercial products. This shortens lead times and significantly reduces project costs. A key benefit is the rapid implementation of COTS products, as they are already tested and available. In situations where speed is critical—such as in conflict zones or during urgent threats—this can be of great strategic importance.
Access to the latest technologies without lengthy R&D
Innovation plays a vital role. The civilian market often evolves faster than the military sector, allowing Defence to benefit from the latest technologies without undergoing lengthy R&D processes. COTS products are usually mass-produced and tested, which improves reliability and offers economies of scale during procurement.
Challenges
However, there are challenges. Security is a major concern. Like many other products, COTS solutions can be vulnerable to cyber threats or unauthorised access to military networks. Additional security measures are essential to mitigate these risks. Compatibility issues may also arise. COTS products are generally designed for civilian use and may not seamlessly integrate with existing military systems.
Another risk is dependency. Suppliers may discontinue or modify products, making long-term availability uncertain.
Finally, COTS products do not inherently meet stringent military standards. Adjustments and additional testing may be necessary to ensure durability and performance under extreme conditions.
Striking the right balance between innovation, security, and reliability
COTS products offer significant benefits to the military market, provided that the associated risks and required adaptations are carefully considered. EltrexPro has extensive experience in successfully integrating COTS solutions and supports Defence organisations throughout the design, validation, and qualification processes. Eltrex Motion can also assist with export or transit licences within the logistical chain.
Feel free to contact us. You can reach us by phone at +31 (0)76 789 00 30 or +32 (0)3 328 07 60. You can also fill in the contact form. We will process your enquiry as soon as possible.
