Dr. Alberto Domingo NATO Consultation, Command and Control Agency (NC3A)

1. A formal approach to national CIS validation in support of NATO expeditionary forces certificationThe Interoperability Experimentation, Testing and Validation (IETV) capability Dr. Alberto Domingo NATO Consultation, Command and Control Agency (NC3A) alberto.domingo@nc3a.nato.int Presented by: Dr. Hermann Wietgrefe NATO Consultation, Command and Control Agency (NC3A) hermann.wietgrefe@nc3a.nato.int

2. Contents • Introduction • CIS Validation • The Interoperability Experimentation, Testing and Validation (IETV) capability • Using the IETV to validate nationally-provided CIS • Conclusions This work has partially been performed and funded as part of the NC3B 2006 Programme of Work for interoperability in NATO, which supports progressive implementation and use of the IETV Capability.

3. Introduction • Expeditionary operations constitute nowadays the paradigm of (deployed) missions in NATO. They require extensive Communications and Information Systems (CIS). • Effective interoperability of CIS at all levels of command is then a key requirement to allow proper information sharing in the battle-space. • Since Nations periodically rotate to fill-in NATO force requirements, ensuring CIS interoperability is a rolling and permanent effort. • New CIS concepts and technology evolutions are constantly implemented, and interoperability of those new technologies with existing assets needs to be assessed.

4. Force Certification and CIS Validation • Certification is the result of a process in which a force formation is prepared, evaluated and validated by a higher headquarter in the chain of command. In NATO, is a pre-requisite for a Nation to contribute forces to a given mission. • Validation is the act of proving that something is sound, and conformant to a set of needs. CIS validation is an essential pre-requisite for the force certification. • Validation in itself is a loose term. In contrast, "verification" means proving that something is correct. Validation of complex capabilities (as CIS) then, should be based on formal verification. More details in … NC3A TN-1127

5. The CIS validation process (NC3A proposal)

6. The IETV Capability • The IETV (Interoperability Experimentation, Testing and Validation) is a tool in support of systems certification, interoperability enhancement and experimentation for multinational, NATO-led expeditionary operations. • The Capability is made-up of four essential components: • Processes • Supporting documentation • A test bed • Know-how NC3A TN-1176

7. The IETV Capability: the test bed • The IETV test bed must provide representative functions, interfaces, performances and implementation constraints associated with any deployed mission environment. The formal requirement analysis is available in NC3A TN-1176. • A functional analysis has been done. • Clustering of functions allows easy re-use of assets currently existing at other more specialized test beds and labs in NC3A, as well as in National test facilities. • It also allows an easy split up of the test bed into a static part and a deployable footprint, making it a distributed capability. • The deployable part interconnects to the static part in The Hague, for management and control, and to access the static facilities in the Hague or other National facilities.

8. The IETV Capability: the test bed NC3A TN-1176

9. The IETV Capability: the process NIE IT (NATO Interoperability information database)

10. The IETV Capability: Support docs. • Supporting documentation is needed to guide testing and experimentation partners during the process. • Supporting documentation comprises handbooks and validation criteria. • The handbooks describe NATO CIS and how NATO partners and other users should design and configure CIS systems. • The technical criteria for CIS validation are the technical requirements that Nationally-provided Units need to meet, and the requirements for which verification support from the IETV is needed. • The criteria mainly derive from outstanding Minimum Military Requirements (MMR) and applicable policy, but also from information about existing architectures and systems in NATO.

11. The IETV Capability: Support docs. NC3A TN-1174 NIETI IOTRs

12. CIS Verification

13. CIS Verification Assessment

14. CIS Verification/Validation results • The results of the assessment campaign should be recorded in a standard format that addresses the different levels of audience. • A report based on three parts is proposed:

15. Conclusions • CIS validation needs to be a formal process. • NATO needs a comprehensive CIS capability in support of formal validation of national assets, which also covers experimentation and interoperability enhancement. • The required capability is much more than a test bed. Processes, procedures, tools and know-how need to be built around the test bed to achieve the required objectives. • The IETV capability is feasible and meets the requirements. • The initial (2006) phase has produced a limited IETV in functional scope and abilities, but covers all essential elements. • The test bed should never replace, but rather complement, testing and validation efforts at NATO Exercises, or the Commanders assessment of the IETV validation results.

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