Developing and Fielding Information Dominance

摘要

This paper describes the process improvements that comprise the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command's Horizontal Integration Initiative. It tells how these process improvements are leading to improved C4ISR capability, sustainability, and cost effectiveness as the System Command fields successive Blocks of its horizontally integrated product line: 'IT-21'. The process improvements represent a holistic view of end to end capabilities: commonality in hardware, software, and data structure; tight configuration management; built in ILS; and rigorous testing to horizontally integrate shipboard C4ISR designs. The paper recounts how these improvements became the foundation for SPAWAR's IT-21 re-engineering initiative; and discusses development and fielding plans for the Fleet's first fully integrated C4ISR architecture: IT-21 - Block 1. An organizational overview of the IT-21 Block 1 architecture, within its functional enclaves (GENSER, SCI, UNCLAS, Networks, Transport), lists key features of the end to end design package. As Block 1 readies for delivery in 2003, development of its successor architecture, IT-21 Block 2, is already underway. The features of the IT-21 Block 2 design process - requirements analysis, technology insertion, interface planning, and cost/benefit analysis - provide insight into the dynamics which will shape Navy C4ISR in years to come.