ABSTRACT

Removal of the obstacles to achievement of Joint interoperability, and eliminating the self-jamming behavior of armed forces, will require significant, deliberate efforts. The root causes can be divided into three key areas: Service cultures, organization for acquisition and systems design, and doctrine and training. Thoughts on solutions must include addressing, at a minimum, the underlying root causes of the difficulties in achieving an agreed approach toward systems engineering the ideal level of Joint interoperability, beginning with a consensus on overall, top-level requirements and architectures. Indeed, modernization of systems without focused systems engineering efforts to integrate new technology and capabilities, including especially the appropriate interoperability functionality, actually contributes to reductions in overall force interoperability. Residual obstacles will always remain in differing Service cultures, different approaches to organization for system design and acquisition, and differing views on doctrine and tactics.