An industry consortium working on standards for interoperability in network-centric operations has hit a hurdle in the form of US export controls, which are preventing US firms sharing information with foreign members. The Network Centric Operations Industry Consortium (NCOIC) was established last year to "integrate existing and emerging open standards into a common evolving global framework" enabling products to interoperate in a network environment, founded by Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, Raytheon, BAE Systems, EADS, Saab and Thales.
The NCOIC had not anticipated a problem with US export controls, "because we are using open, non-propriety products", says executive chairman Carl O'Berry, Boeing's vice-president, network-centric architectures. The consortium is working on standards and tools that will enable interoperability to be embedded in the "DNA" of products.
The NCOIC is trying to use available standards and off-the-shelf products to develop a "building code" that will guarantee a minimum level of interoperability. US export-control restrictions prevent the international members participating in some consortium activities. The NCOIC is trying to secure a blanket licence to share information.
GRAHAM WARWICK / WASHINGTON DC
Source: Flight International
