Defining C2 semantics by a platform-independent JC3IEDM

The Joint Consultation, Command, and Control Information Exchange Data Model (JC3IEDM) is the most acknowledged data model in military command and control (C2). So far, the model has been designed to support database replication. In 2007, the Multilateral Interoperability Programme (MIP) has started to transform the JC3IEDM into a platform independent UML model that is also suitable for other purposes. The structure of the JC3IEDM is being revised to solve known weaknesses, to better support modularity, to improve its comprehension, to provide a stricter and unambiguous semantics, and to support the generation of efficient exchange formats. In parallel, MIP started revising its approach of interoperability by better documenting the context of the information exchanges. In this paper, we present the principles of a capability-based approach and the key characteristics of the revised UML model. Moreover, we discuss in which way the JC3IEDM is qualified as a C2 ontology.