Data Interoperability for Systems of Systems: Our Acquisition Paradigm Must Change to Achieve It.

To achieve the information superiority called for in Joint Vision 2010, we must start building information systems which can freely exchange data and be networked into systems of systems. Unfortunately, DODs current system acquisition paradigm, which stresses independent development of systems, makes this goal difficult or impossible to achieve. To realistically achieve a shared data environment in which systems of systems can be built, we must change the acquisition paradigm. DOD needs to undertake a major development program to build and maintain a quality enterprise data architecture. This architecture would provide a foundation upon which future information systems would be built. It would ensure data interoperability and could ultimately provide the basis for a set of integrated corporate databases across DOD.