A new industry consortium which aims to create common protocols and standards for the implementation of network-centric warfare in Western alliance nations is to be formally established within three weeks. Key members of the consortium are expected to include BAE Systems, Boeing - the instigator of the concept - EADS, Lockheed Martin and Saab.
The International Industry Consortium for Network Centric Operations (NCOIC) plans to improve interoperability between allied defence forces by reducing the number of company proprietary standards appearing in nations' network architectures.
Saab says the NCOIC intends to "work together to provide our customers a network-centric environment where all classes of information systems interoperate by integrating existing and emerging open standards into a common evolving global framework that employs a common set of principles and processes".
This is expected to result in "increased interoperability within, and among, systems involved in joint, interagency and multinational operations", and "lower supportability costs and increased interoperability in the specification and design of future systems". The consortium will be co-ordinated by an advisory council headed by former US defence undersecretary for acquisition and technology, Dr Paul Kaminski.
Source: Flight International
