Examination of automated interoperability tools for DoD C4I systems

Abstract

This thesis examines the ability of C4I systems within DoD to exchange information in the operational battlespace. With the advent of the Information Age and resultant development of the strategy of network-centric warfare, interoperability has become increasingly significant as a criterion for mission success, while also becoming increasingly difficult to achieve as well. The PPBS cycle bears some responsibility for this by creating competition amongst the Services for finite resources, perpetuating the environment that contributes to 'stovepipe' C4I systems development. This thesis examines DoD's attempts to solve the interoperability dilemma by using policies and procedures. We demonstrate that a cooperative effort among components, services, and agencies to integrate methodologies within PPBS should enhance the efforts of planners and developers in designing interoperability through the integration of C4ISR architecture development processes. As a part of this examination we will also evaluate several automated software tools that have been designed to facilitate interoperability, and present recommendations as to how these tools could be integrated to complement their effectiveness within the requirements generation and capabilities development processes