Enabling Information Superiority through C4ISR Interoperability
Abstract
Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Systems Interoperability is the number one problem in the Defense Department today in joint force operations. Deployed operational forces are joint a meld of multiple Services and coalition partners, each independently efficient and smoothly operating. The resulting mix of unique systems, operating procedures, protocols and standards, tactics, and languages produces an interoperability quagmire and complicates the full realization of information superiority. Further, new systems and system upgrades are increasingly complex in sophistication of information technology and communications interfaces, and the problems compound. Because of practical limitations on assembling joint forces short of actual operational deployment, modeling and simulation (M&S) is a key to understanding and resolving interoperability problems. M&S plays a critical role in system and force evaluation; the Joint Distributed Engineering Plant (JDEP) will provide a test bed for systems to be exercised in a representative joint operational environment. A collaborative engineering environment underpins JDEP, utilizing concepts of Simulation Based Acquisition (SBA). Individual systems must be "born joint." In addition to optimizing a systems design, in terms of independent performance, the design must include the capability to interoperate with a myriad of other systems. This is in the context of a systems architecture drawn from a joint operational architecture which portrays the users (theater warfighting Commander-in-Chief) requirements to prosecute operations. M&S used in system development must provide reuse and interoperability of models and data across service and program lines. This is essential to building system-of-systems interoperability.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 2000
- Accession Number
- ADA461473
Entities
People
- Gordon Tillery
- Robin Quinlan
Organizations
- Office Of The Under Secretary Of Defense