SUMMARY
The Project Team CIS has met two or three times a year since 2005. The programme managed by the PT is primarily set by the EU Capability Development Plan (CDP). The CDP take account of four sources: operational lessons, Common Security Defence Policy’s (CSDP’s) Headline Goals, national expressions for collaboration, and the result of a routine examination of long-term capability needs beyond 2025. In recent years the PT has been configured to address the specific Command and Control (C2) and information management aspects of CSDP/EU-led crisis management. The CDP priority is Enhanced Battlespace Information and Communication Services through improved HQ information management and exploitation of CIS technology.
Goals
- Capability guidance for implementation of interoperability solutions for EU-led crisis management
- Architectures to guide national development of CIS
- Guidance on the application of the strategy called Federated Mission Networking
- Development of applications for direct support of EU operations and missions
ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION
A selection of current projects are:
Reference Architecture for EU Mission Network
Background: The main effort from the EDA PT CIS since its beginning in 2005 has been the creation of architectures, the associated progression of standards, and the application of service orientated architectures (SOA) and other capability development tools. RAMNET will build on the catalogue of previous architecture artefacts (such as the EU Battlegroup, C4I, IEG, CSDP IERs) developed under the supervision of the PT CIS. The business case for RAMNET was provided to pMS in January and subsequently approved by the Agency Management Board. The technical specification for the RAMNET contract has now been submitted.
Future: RAMNET project initiation is planned during the third quarter of 2016 and is to be conducted in two stages with ‘backbone process’ conducted in 2016/17 and ‘extended process’ conducted in 2017. These products will be bookended by a contextual study and implementation analysis. Crucially, engagement with national architects will be required to give the RAMNET products sufficient national credibility.
J1 FAS
Background: The initial idea for J1FAS (Human Resources Functional Area Service) began in 2010 as a project to demonstrate how, using an architectural approach, operational processes could be mapped and quickly converted into information services to increase operation efficiency and effectiveness. This initial ‘proof of concept’ demonstration has evolved to be a valuable operational prototype providing a useful tool to support HQs’ human resource management.
Status: J1FAS is currently undergoing a formal Field Trial within the Italian Operation Headquarters directing the maritime operation in the Mediterranean Sea (Operation Sophia). Other headquarters and some training centres are currently reviewing the utility of J1 FAS.
Future: The Field Trial will be evaluated by the IT OHQ in July and August with a view to shaping the long-term transition of J1 FAS to full operational status. The expansion of implementation options to include protected Virtual Private Network cloud-hosting is being analysed. A post-Field Trial Report and Through Life Management Plan will be promulgated in the summer, together with the results from a web vulnerability check, from which decisions can be made on the future operational use of J1 FAS. Also, TLM considerations are being applied to other applications developed in other PTs: Personnel Recovery FAS (PR FAS) and geospatial information support tool called GeohuB.
Federated Mission Networking (FMN)
Background: With the endorsement of the NATO FMN Concept in 2012, work to implement the principles and objectives of FMN has gathered speed within most pMS. The IDT decided in 2014 that the implications of FMN on EU-led crisis management operations (and civ/mil missions) should be analysed and the effect on current capability development understood. Study work was initiated in 2015 together with the establishment of an Expert Group to progress the work.
Status: The current main effort is to understand the impact of FMN on EU CIS concepts to progress potential changes through the EU Military Committee.
Future: The Concept Review process in 2016 will shape the different work streams that need to be conducted. Capability-related work streams will be initiated and progressed within the PT.
C2/FAS Information Integration
Background: The development of applications to meet specific operational processes have highlighted the need to analyse and describe how such applications can be exploited in EU-related C2 systems using the benefits of a service orientated architecture. A framework contract has been put in place to lead to the provision of management and technical guidance and a supporting capability demonstration to help pMS shape their national plans.
Status: A contract has been let to conduct the analysis and C2 interoperability demonstration and at the same time to exploit the MIP-related products and services (see below).
Future: A capability demonstration during 2017.
Multilateral Interoperability Programme
Background: Both the previous C2 project and working-level liaison with NATO revealed the potential use of MIP products and services within EU-led Crisis Management Operations. The MIP Steering Group has endorsed the role of EDA as a contributor to MIP.
Status: EDA has routine representation on the MIP Management Group and the PT has endorsed the use of OB to fund technical contribution to MIP product development to meet CSDP requirements.
Future: EDA contribution to the MIP will be conducted during 2015/2016. The Alternate Development & Exchange Method (ADEM) is being scrutinised together with the latest version of MIP v4 Interface Exchange Specification to determine how it might be applied to EU-led missions and operations to enhance information sharing between military (EU and third-party) and non-military actors.