PRINCIPAL DEPUTY UNDER SECRETARY OF DEFENSE 

                   3015 DEFENSE PENTAGON
                 WASHINGTON, DC 20301-3015

		                            		  FEB 15 1994	
	

MEMORANDUM FOR ADMIRAL DAVID E. JEREMIAH
	DR. ANITA J0NES
	MS. NORA SLATKIN
	MR. GEORGE DAUSMAN
	LIEUTENANT GENERAL WILLIAM H. FORSTER
	MS. DARLENE DRUYAN
	LIEUTENANT GENERAL RICHARD HAWLEY
	REAR ADMIRAL DAVID OLIVER
	MR. JAMES KLUGH
	DR. THOMAS QUINN
	DR. GEORGE SCHNEITER
	MR. FRANK KENDALL
	MR. MARTY METH

SUBJECT: Common Open Systems Architecture Working Group

	I believe we have an opportunity to make a significant impact 
on the cost, interoperability, modularity, technology transparency, 
supportability, and a host of other important aspects of future 
weapon systems by sponsoring and accelerating the adoption of an Open 
Systems approach to the architecture of new systems (and system 
upgrades).

	Much good work is already going on  in this area, but it is 
still somewhat fragmented and stovepiped. Also, the scope of most of 
these current efforts is re1atively narrow, limited primarily to 
computers and buss structures. From what I have seen, there is far 
too little interaction between the Airborne, Land, and Sea based 
communities, even though the technology used by all three is 
converging and ripe for common approaches.

	I have already spoken to a number of you about this, and would 
now like to take the next step of actually forming a Common Open 
Systems Architecture Working Group, with this note serving as 
advanced notice. To be effective, it should include representatlon 
from the Services, Joint Staff, relevant parts of OSD, and 
appropriate Industry groups such as IEEE, etc.

	It is important to make clear that the intended focus of this 
group is actual weapons systems and platforms, and should not be 
confused with C3I systems, communications networks, or non-real time
data processing functions. Furthermore, this is not another "Common 
Module” program attempting to force the use of common hardware 
everywhere, but rather, seeks to standardize at a level that permits 
tailoring of physical hardware to each unique need while retaining 
the advantages of common architecture and major interfaces.

	I have asked Frank Kendall to be the initial point of contact 
for pulling together the recommended structure of this activity, 
along with a draft charter. I am shooting for an initial meeting 
with all of you (or appropriate representatives) within the next two 
to three weeks to refine the approach and decide on the next steps 
to take.

	Thanks in advance for your cooperation.


                                       R. Noel Longuemare


c c :
Mr. John Deutch
Mr. Emmett Paige, Jr.
Mr. Josh Gotbaum
Mr. Gilbert Decker
ADM William Owens
Mr. Clark Fiester