Is UDS MOSA? Yes.
We hear this question a lot: “Is Defense Unicorns’ Unified Defense Stack (UDS) MOSA compliant?” There’s a lot to unpack there, but the short answer is: yes. UDS aligns with MOSA.
What is MOSA?
The Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA) is a design and acquisition strategy adopted by the Department of War that emphasizes modular system architecture, open standards for system interfaces, and the ability to add, remove, or replace components throughout a system’s lifecycle. Under MOSA, systems are structured so that major subsystems or components can be developed, competed, and fielded independently, enabling adaptability, innovation, and sustained affordability.
How does UDS align with MOSA?
MOSA discussions tend to center around hardware standards, but the software behind those systems is equally as important.
UDS is built on widely supported and consensus-based standards, ensuring compliance with MOSA principles outlined in Title 10 U.S.C. 4401. Rather than relying on proprietary packaging or delivery mechanisms, UDS leverages industry-standard protocols and formats that are vendor-neutral and openly documented
All software is packaged using Open Container Initiative (OCI) standards that work with any compatible system, not just Defense Unicorns’ products. The platform uses standard authentication protocols (OAuth, OIDC, SAML) that integrate with existing identity systems, and all communications are encrypted using industry-standard security.
UDS also generates transparent software inventories (SBOMs) in open formats that can be converted to other standard formats as needed. This standards-based approach ensures the government avoids vendor lock-in and maintains flexibility to replace or upgrade components throughout a DOW system’s lifecycle.
Independent Modules With Defined Interfaces
Defense Unicorns’ approach to MOSA centers on building software layers that operate independently of the underlying hardware, yet adhere to clearly defined interfaces and standards. We treat each capability, whether automated workload management, container orchestration, observability, or lifecycle tooling, as a discrete module that integrates into the UDS platform via published APIs and interface definitions.
UDS is built on native Kubernetes APIs and standard resources, ensuring that workloads can be deployed, managed, and migrated across any conformant Kubernetes distribution with minimal modification. Application packaging through Helm charts provides a standardized, declarative method for defining and deploying software components that is widely adopted across the cloud-native ecosystem. Should a capability evolve, or a vendor delivers a replacement component, the architecture anticipates that swap without disrupting other layers.
This software-centric vision aligns with MOSA’s goal of severable major system components and supports DOW ecosystems by allowing mission applications and platform services to persist even as hardware refreshes or new technologies are introduced. By avoiding proprietary formats and instead building on open, consensus-based standards maintained by organizations like the Open Container Initiative (OCI), the Kubernetes project, the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF), and the OpenID Foundation, Defense Unicorns ensures that the government retains maximum flexibility for future competition and component replacement. The architecture provides both the modular interfaces required by MOSA and the standards compliance necessary to prevent vendor lock, creating a software delivery platform that meets today’s requirements and is prepared for future evolution and competition.
Ready to build a modular, standards-based software environment without vendor-locking your mission? Explore the UDS Platform to see how Defense Unicorns helps defense organizations evolve software capabilities with greater flexibility and control. Let’s Chat.
