Defining and Using Open Architecture Levels

Open architecture (OA) within military systems enables delivery of increased warfighter capabilities in a shorter time at a reduced cost.(i) In fact in today's standards-aware environment, solutions are often proposed to the government that include OA as one of its basics design tenets. Yet the ability to measure and assess OA in an objective manner, particularly at the subsystem/component level within a system, remains an elusive proposition. Furthermore, it is increasingly apparent that the establishment of an innovation ecosystem of an open business model that leverages third-party development requires more than just technical modifications that promote openness. This paper proposes a framework to migrate not only towards technical openness, but also towards enabling and facilitating an open business model, driven by third party development, for military systems. This framework was developed originally for the U. S. Navy Littoral and Mine Warfare community; however, the principles and approach may be applied elsewhere within the Navy and Department of Defense.