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The UK MoD has identified VSI (vehicle systems integration) as a priority area in Land Systems for Platform Command and Control. MoD VSI applied research programmes have produced Open Standards and Guidelines to provide a framework for enhanced capabilities within Military Vehicles, and furthermore, for Network Enabling Capabilities.
The MilCAN protocol is probably the best example of Open Standards and Guidelines and has reached the stage of deployment. Current upgrades and future military vehicles programmes, including FRES, have identified MilCAN A as the primary control network technology within Electronic Architecture.
The MWG (MilCAN Working Group) led by QinetiQ along with DEC (GM) has recognised the need to be able to certify MilCAN A enabled devices and assure compliance to specifications. The MWG has reacted immediately to this requirement and created a Conformance sub-group composed by QinetiQ, Thales, GD, Ultra, Accutest, and led by the VRC (vetronics research centre) at the University of Sussex.
The MWG has recommended at their meetings that the VRC, with its expertise and impartiality, become the Conformance Test House in respect of providing certification and advice for MilCAN A enabled devices. The MWG recommendation has been offered to the UK MoD for endorsement.
It is anticipated that the conformance test facility will be ready in Q3 of 2007.
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