A Basis for Joint Interoperability

Abstract : How can the Services benefit from a more detailed description of the basis for joint interoperability? Without interoperable systems, we cannot truly have "joint operations." Instead, we have a collection of forces from more than one service -- and possibly even from more than one country -- conducting independent operations in the same geographical area. We cannot work together in a cooperative, coordinated, mutually supportive effort to win on the battlefield if we cannot communicate, and communication is dependent on interoperable systems. The Joint Technical Architecture (JTA) was developed to provide DOD systems with the basis for the seamless interoperability necessary to ensure that we can truly conduct joint operations. This paper describes the three architectural components (views) of the JTA, and then proposes additional detail for one of these three components. Our goal is to help improve interoperability of joint forces by providing a more detailed description of the requirements which must be considered when new systems are being developed. This work is the result of engineering support conducted by the Joint Forces Program Office under the direction of the US Atlantic Command J6.