Using the C4ISR Architecture Framework

To harmonize the individual architectures of the different commands, services, and agencies dealing with the development and procurement of Command, Control, Communications, Computing, Surveillance, Reconnaissance, and Intelligence (C4ISR) systems, the C4ISR Architecture Framework was developed based on existing and matured modeling techniques and methods. Within a short period, NATO adapted this method family as the NATO Consultation, Command, and Control (C3) System Architecture Framework to harmonize the efforts of the different nations. Based on these products, for every system to be fielded to be used in the US Armed Forces, a C4I Support Plan (C4ISP) has to be developed enabling the integration of the special system into the integrated C4I Architecture. The tool set proposed by these architecture frameworks connects operational views of the military user, system views of the developers, and the technical views for standards and integration methods needed to make the network centric system of systems work. The tools are therefore logically a valuable backbone for Verification, Validation, and Accreditation (VV&A). Their application is not limited to C4ISR systems; they can be used to define requirements and connected solutions and algorithms of Modeling and Simulation (M&S) systems as well. Especially for M&S systems to be used in connection with C4ISR system, the use of the C4ISR Architecture Framework would not only be a help, but can nearly be seen to be necessary to avoid double work and foster reuse and interoperability from the first stages of a project on. To enable the reader to build his own picture, the respective tools used and their application in the context of VV&A will be explained in form of an overview.