Military Communications and Information Technology: A Trusted ...

40 Military Communications and Information Technology...
based on service merit. This would enable the MOD to be a much more intelligent
customer who is not tied in to particular vendors, with the ability to choose the most
cost effective solution at every stage of the networks lifetime.
The UK MOD is developing the next generation of tactical networks, and
a key driver of this is the use of open architectures and standards. The approach
taken is to define an architecture which is underpinned by open interfaces between
encapsulated, heterogeneous systems. The LE TacCIS programme [7] is delivering
this approach, attempting to deliver the transition from a current system of systems
architecture within Command and Control Information Infrastructure (CCII) to
next generation Land Environment Tactical CIS.
III. Assessing the benefits and risks of open systems
A. Benefits
A key benefit of open systems to defense is that they enable interoperability,
making both joint and coalition working easier. Interoperability is a key requirement
for military communications systems, driven by top level strategies such
as Network-Enabled Capability (NEC) and politically through increased coalition
working in all major recent military operations. The need to strengthen partnerships
through bilateral and multinational relationships is continually highlighted in toplevel
MOD policy, most recently in the latest Strategy for Defence policy as part
of “Military Task 3 – To succeed in other operations” [8]. Achieving both joint and
coalition interoperability requires components which can be operated alongside,
in conjunction or integrated with systems controlled by separate operators. In terms
of communications systems, at the technology level this requires either compatible
standard interfaces, which would be the optimal solution, or use of gateways, which
can lead to bottlenecks, vulnerable points and communications delay.
Making technical specifications available to a wider market audience enables
open standard interfaces and promotes greater objective competition. This objectivity
in comparing networking systems is critical to allowing intelligent decision making
in procurement. A report by the national audit office, reviewing the procurement
of the UK Bowman system, found that “Agile decision making must be underpinned
by high quality information” [9]. Vendor lock-in emerges from limiting the technical
knowledge of a system to one supplier, meaning costly support contracts are
required to ensure the equipment can be operated until it reaches out-of-date service.
A high level of interoperability would potentially support a modular approach to
changing technological components based on mission requirements.
It may be assumed that by using the well known Open Systems Interconnection
(OSI) model that openness can be achieved by appropriately defined interfaces.
In practice the OSI model only defines interactions between adjacent layers in a protocol
and may not necessarily deliver the design intent across a dynamic system.