A Reference Test bed for the Experimentation, Testing and Validation of NATO Communications and Information Systems; The NATO CIS Interoperability Experimentation, Testing and Validation (IETV) test bed

The NATO interoperability experimentation, testing and validation (IETV) reference test bed is part of a capability in support of NATO expeditionary operations interoperability assessment and improvement. The IETV addresses the complete mission life-cycle, from planning to pre-deployment, and all functional levels, from transmission to user applications and INFOSEC. This paper describes the initial findings out of the IETV concept development, and proposes a model of operation for the capability. It describes the validation/certification cycle, the IETV capability concept, the basic architecture and design, the business model (model of use, the different stakeholders, the cost model and the potential funding mechanisms) for the long-term capability implementation and operation. It also derives a set of conclusions and recommendations and proposes further expansion to the capability.