MODUK DEF STAN 23-12 PDF

Scope Assumptions and Constraints

This is an interim version of the defence standard.

The GSA is a platform specific architecture, the physical implementation of which is the Dismounted Soldier System (DSS). GSA defines the infrastructure to be implemented by DSS and the interfaces between it and the soldier's role equipment. Architectural components and requirements that enable off-soldier communications and connectivity, including data sharing, between platforms will be captured within the Land Open System Architecture (LOSA) Common Open Interface (Land) (COI(L)) Defence Standard.

Health and Usage Monitoring Systems (HUMS) and System Information Exploitation (SIE) requirements are not included within this version of the Defence Standard.

The Defence Standard will not define maximum system weight requirements and allocations. The Guidance associated with this Defence Standard will outline general principles to be considered. Actual weight requirements will be defined on a case-by-case basis as part of the System Design Requirements supported by ISSA.

A mix of legacy and future procured GSA compliant role equipment must be supported on the soldier platform. The GSA architecture must accommodate and define an approach for supporting legacy equipment.

Purpose

The purpose of Defence Standard 23-12 is to enable the Ministry of Defence (MOD) to realise the benefits of a common approach to the DSS by defining the power and data infrastructure and the characteristics of the interfaces to it which will be used by the DSS.

The benefits will be to:

• Enable ‘plug and play' of legacy and future systems for soldiers.

• Provide interfaces that comply with publically available open standards.

• Promote third party competition by providing modular components.

• Promote innovation and diversity.

• Allow incremental improvement of systems.

• Facilitate technology insertion into existing systems.

• Reduce the burden on the individual soldier from a weight, cognitive and thermal perspective.

• Make best use of COTS.

• Improve operational effectiveness,

• Reduce the whole life cost of ownership across all Defence Lines of Development (DLOD).

This Defence Standard provides mandatory technical requirements and standards for DE&S procurement officers (e.g. Project Managers, Equipment Support Managers and Inventory Managers) and for Industry in delivering equipment to the DSS. It specifies the interfaces to and from the power and data infrastructure, and facilitates the introduction of new capability as required by operational needs.

Any change whatsoever to any equipment which upgrades; updates; upkeeps; or changes the equipment's Complete Equipment Schedule (CES) in any way (Cat A to Cat D) both EPP and ESP, must be notified to the ISSA prior to Initial Gate.

The over-arching principles of the GSA approach are to:

- Ensure that the architecture and infrastructure are applicable to current and future systems.

- Take account of previous MOD investment.

- Allow technology insertion whilst minimising integration costs and reducing the burden on the dismounted soldier.

- Implement functionality, wherever possible, in software in order to reduce the burden.

- Equip the soldier for each mission with equipment that is readily interchangeable.

- Allow incremental improvement with the MOD owning the boundaries.

- Specify the minimum possible to achieve the aims and avoid unnecessarily constraining the equipment designers.