Enhancing Brazilian Aerospace Systems Lifecycle Directive

This paper proposes an update to the Brazilian Air Force’s directive DCA 400-6, incorporating principles from the Ministry of Defense’s MD 40-M-01 and integrating System Theoretic Process Analysis (STPA) into the lifecycle management framework for aerospace systems. The comparative analysis reveals that the MD 40-M-01 emphasizes continuous improvement, risk management, and stakeholder involvement, which are less pronounced in the DCA 400-6. By aligning with international standards such as ISO/IEC/IEEE 15288, the revised directive aims to enhance operational efficiency, safety, and reliability. The proposed Vee-Model includes critical milestones and integrates STPA into requirement definition phases, ensuring comprehensive hazard analysis and robust safety measures from the earliest stages of system development. This paper outlines the necessary steps for these updates and provides a detailed rationale for the proposed changes, setting a foundation for future aerospace systems engineering and management advancements.