Boeing 787 Software Architecture: Airlines Need Manufacturer Approval for Changes

The Boeing 787's unique software architecture sets it apart from other commercial aircraft. Unlike older planes like the 767 and 777, which have separate avionics computers for each major system, the 787 consolidates most of its functions onto a shared computing platform called the Common Core System.

This means that airlines cannot develop or install fixes independently when a software issue is discovered on the 787. Any change to core system code must go through Boeing's engineering organization and the FAA's approval process before it can be loaded onto an in-service aircraft.

The software is not a separate product from the airframe, but part of the aircraft's FAA type certificate. This means that modifying the 787's core software is not an airline maintenance task, but a design change to the aircraft's type certificate.