JOVIAL stands for "Jules Own Version of the International Algorithmic Language." It was developed to write software for the electronics of military aircraft. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, the U.S. military adopted a standardized CPU, the 1750A, and JOVIAL normally produces programs for that processor. JOVIAL is MIL-STD-1589, and is still widely used to update and maintain software on older, obsolescent military vehicles and aircraft. There are three dialects in common use: J3, J3B-2, and J73.
As of 2003, JOVIAL is still actively maintained and distributed by the USAF JOVIAL Integrated Tool Set (ITS) Program Office. The program office helps organizations reuse their old, reliable JOVIAL software by rehosting and retargeting the software to newer, more modern computer platforms and environments.
The standard package (the "integrated tool set" or ITS) contains a compiler, a MIL-STD-1750A assembler, linker, and simulator/debugger. It is available hosted from (runs on) either a DEC VAX or a PC. Versions are also available that target (produce executable code for) the Intel 80386 (and derivatives), MIPS R4000, AP-101, Zilog Z8002, and Motorola 68000 processors.
Notable systems using JOVIAL include the Advanced Cruise Missile, B-52, B-1, and B-2 bombers, C-130, C-141, and C-17 transport aircraft, F-15, F-16, F-18, and F-117 fighter aircraft, LANTIRN, U-2 aircraft, E-3 Sentry AWACS aircraft, Special Operations Forces, Navy AEGIS cruisers, Army Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS), Army UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters, F100, F117, F119 jet engines, and RL-10 rocket engines.