NATO modernises standard architecture for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance
In an effort to ensure interoperability, NATO has recently updated a standard architecture for air and ground intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) assets, known as the NATO ISR Interoperability Architecture.
The agreement is a result of the work of the NATO Air Force Armaments Group Joint Capability Group on ISR, which began in the early 1990s.
Sharing intelligence
The Groups research determined that the best way of ensuring intelligence interoperability within NATO-led operations was to establish standard interfaces between NATO and Nations' various ISR systems. This allows each Country to develop systems that meet their respective needs, while ensuring interoperability through the use of the agreed interfaces.
To this end, the NATO ISR Interoperability Architecture (NIIA), which defines how NATO and national reconnaissance and surveillance assets within the Joint Capability Group on ISR (JCGISR) area of responsibility will achieve interoperability. The main aim of the NIIA is to outline a top-level architecture which will provide a context and structure for the JCGISR STANAGs and other interoperability initiatives.
The NIIA is defined in Allied Engineering Documentation Publication 2 and is widely accepted as the basis for present and future ISR interoperability of both manned and unmanned systems. The text of the NIIA can be found on the NSO website (https://nso.nato.int).
For further information on the NIIA, contact the ISR Section of the NATO Defense Investment Division International Staff (mailbox.aacap.isr@hq.nato.int).