A platform-independent reference data model for a future interoperability solution

The Joint Consultation, Command, and Control Information Exchange Data Model (JC3IEDM) of the Multilateral Interoperability Programme (MIP) is one of the most acknowledged and inuential data models in the military area. The JC3IEDM is specified as an Entity-Relationship model that is tailored to the specific needs of the database replication approach of the MIP solution. While the model grew continuously over time, its basic structure was left untouched. This has resulted in various technical limitations, workarounds, and semantic ambiguities. In 2010, MIP has set up a team to design a new interoperability solution that breaks with the former replication approach. The future solution shall allow for the incremental delivery of new interoperability capabilities to respond quickly to user requirements. As part of this initiative, the JC3IEDM has been transformed into a UML model that abstracts from any specific technology. Numerous changes have been made in order to overcome known weaknesses and to improve the modularity, comprehensibility, and consistency of the model. In this paper, we describe the objectives and major concepts of the new UML model and explain how it will be integrated in a tool-supported model transformation process.