A method to efficiently implement a reconfigurable electronic radio system (400) including resource assets (402-408, 410-416, 418, 420-426, 428) and a processor (428). The processor (428) generates RF control and switching control signals during each mission segment of an aircraft to create radio function threads through the resource assets (402-408, 410-416, 418, 420-426, 428) to realize the radio functions for that mission segment. The processor (428) may also be coupled to a master processor (440) that sends the processor (428) a radio function set selection signal. The radio function set selection signal identifies the radio function set that the processor (428) will implement through the resource assets (402-408, 410-416, 418, 420-426, 428). The processor (428) performs all signal, data, message, cryptographic and control processing required for the radio function threads being implemented by the resource assets.