From vision to interoperability: an analysis of Department of Defense and service initiatives

Abstract

This paper is an assessment of Department of Defense (DoD) and service initiatives to ensure joint interoperability of Command, Control, Communications, Computers, and Intelligence (C41) systems. Using a consolidated initiative matrix, visions and actions are reviewed to identify intent, and existing documents used by C41 system planners, designers, and developers are assessed against essential system development criteria, required baseline actions, to achieve interoperability. Findings reveal that interoperability development guidance and tools do not address mission-specific parameters of C4I systems. Not all C4I systems are the same. Mission-specific requirements dictate whether a system is interoperable or not. The current interoperability definition is quite vague for mission-specific systems, and existing DoD and service initiatives only address general guidance to focus system development. Common mission-specific cases are provided and demonstrate that achieving interoperability is more than general guidance and more than the ability to pass data or information through seamless interfaces to ensure that systems are functional. Interoperability must be further defined by analyzing a C41 system's unique mission. Finally, to guide C41 system design, a framework to establish quantifiable thresholds is developed and presented using existing joint doctrine