The Italian Army C2 evolution: From the current SIACCON2 land command & control system to the LC2EVO using “agile” software development methodology

Abstract

The continuous evolution of the military “land operations ” generates instability of the Command & Control systems requirements obliging the developers to work with unstable and unconsolidated mission needs. In 2013, the Italian Army General Staff Logistic Department decided to overcome the problem of the “volatile requirement” transitioning to a completely different software development methodology derived from the commercial, area but almost completely new to the “mission critical” software applications: the so called “agile” methodology. The introduction of “agile” in the development of high reliability software was not easy and implied the generation of a brand new “agile” methodology called: Italian Army Agile or ITA2. Setting up the LC2Evo (the evolution software of the land C2) implied the solution of many problems and the construction of a solid structure based on four “pillars”: User Community Governance, Specific “agile” Training, new “agile” CASE1 Tools, custom “agile” development doctrine. This paper gives a short description of the Italian C2 software evolution from the current SIACCON2 to the LC2Evo whose first components are in use already in various national and out of area operations. The LC2Evo “dismounted Soldier segment software using augmented reality and goggle glass-like display is also described. The major problems tackled and solved for the construction of the “four pillars” are treated.