“One of the challenges in joint interoperability comes when different services acquire systems that don’t naturally integrate with one another.”
Source: Defense Information Systems Agency
By Gordon Bradley, technical director, Joint Interoperability Test Command (via LinkedIn)
Cover Photo of U.S. Marine Corps by Amy Forsythe Courtesy
As the Technical Director of the Joint Interoperability Test Command, I’ve seen firsthand how critical it is to ensure that the systems used by our military can communicate and work together seamlessly, not just within a single branch, but across the services and coalition partners. Through its primary mission, JITC provides unbiased, risk-based testing that gives decision-makers the information they need to field suitable, effective, interoperable, secure and survivable systems that serve the Warfighter.
In this article, I’ll walk you through the lifecycle of our testing processes, from the earliest stages of development to the continued support we provide after a system is fielded.
JITC’s core mission: Ensuring joint interoperability
JITC serves as DOD’s sole joint interoperability certifier. While individual services, like the Air Force or Navy, have their own testing organizations, they focus on intra-service requirements. Systems that have designated joint requirements (inter-service) certified by the Joint Staff require JITC Joint Interoperability Certifications. JITC ensures that systems designed with joint requirements work effectively with others, whether in a joint U.S. operation or with coalition partners.
One of the challenges in joint interoperability comes when different services acquire systems that don’t naturally integrate with one another. A classic example is military voice networks, where the services used to buy different types of communications equipment prior to the development of the DOD Information Network Approved Products List.
Early engagement: Setting the stage for success
At JITC, one of our key contributions is getting involved early in the development of new technologies. We aim to “shift left” — which means engaging with systems and technologies at the prototype stage, well before they are fully developed. This allows us to help the United States Department of Defense , industry partners and developers identify potential issues early, ultimately saving both time and money.
This early involvement is invaluable. By identifying whether a system can meet the military’s needs from the start, we prevent costly mistakes and allow for smoother transitions into the next phases of development. We work closely with developers from industry and the federal government to ensure that their innovations align with the unique demands of the DOD, which often differ from those of the commercial sector.
Early JITC involvement also helps the program manager define requirements and ensures that adequate testing is built into the schedule and budget from the beginning. This helps avoid schedule slips or budget overruns down the road.
Developmental testing: The foundation of testing
As technologies move beyond the prototyping phase, they enter Developmental Test and Evaluation. This is where JITC can play a critical role in assisting program offices with managing and reducing risks during development, verify product conformance/compliance with requirements, prepare for Operational Test and Evaluation, and inform decision-makers throughout the program lifecycle.
DT&E covers the entire capability lifecycle. This improves the ability for test and evaluation to provide focused and relevant information supporting decision-making throughout capability development. Ultimately, this helps customers obtain data at the right time to support the right decisions earlier and field capabilities faster.
Operational testing: Ensuring things get built right and that the right things get built
JITC is the only non-service operational test agency. As such, it conducts operational testing for the Defense Information Systems Agency and the services when requested or acts as the lead operational test agency when designated for a multi-service operational test.
JITC conducts OT&E for the purpose of determining a system’s Operational Effectiveness, Suitability, and Cyber Survivability. To put it plainly, OT&E makes sure not only that the system “works” but that it will meet the user’s needs and will survive on the cyber battlefield. JITC conducts OT&E in support of system acquisition and deployment decisions.
Fielded support: Ongoing assistance
Our involvement doesn’t end when a system is fielded. One of JITC’s strengths is our ability to provide ongoing support after deployment. We maintain a hotline, 1-800-Let-JITC, that military units can call when they encounter issues with fielded systems. For example, when the Marine One helicopter had network communications problems, they called us, and our team was able to step in, troubleshoot the issue, and get the system back online.
We pride ourselves on this continued support because it closes the feedback loop between testing and real-world operations. If we identify an issue in the field, we not only resolve it, but we also use that information to improve our future testing processes, ensuring that similar problems don’t occur with other systems.
Why testing matters
At the heart of everything we do is a simple but vital principle: the battleground should never be the testing ground. We cannot afford to field systems that haven’t been thoroughly tested and proven to work in joint and coalition environments. The consequences of failure in the field can be catastrophic. In some cases, non-interoperability has led to the loss of life.
It’s my firm belief that every system we field should meet its intended purpose, and that includes ensuring it works across the entire spectrum of military operations. Testing isn’t just about meeting technical standards; it’s about ensuring that our brothers and sisters in uniform have the tools they need to complete their missions and come home safely.
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