NATO AAP-48 (B)

Abstract

<strong>OVERVIEW</strong> <br>1. Today the NATO emphasis is on the provision of military capability, to which armament systems and equipment contribute the materiel solution. From the materiel point of view, this calls for a systems life cycle approach, to ensure that the through-life requirements of the system are formulated and addressed at the outset. As described in the NATO Policy for Systems Life Cycle Management (SLCM), the aim of SLCM is to optimise defence capabilities over the life cycle of the system by taking into account performance, cost, schedule, quality, operational environments, integrated logistic support and obsolescence. This publication provides the NATO System Life Cycle Processes to support the successful fielding of armament systems. <br>2. The complexity of NATO systems has increased to an unprecedented level. This has led to new opportunities, but also to increased challenges for the organisations that create and utilise systems. These challenges exist throughout the life cycle of a system and at all levels of architectural detail. They arise from several sources: <br>&#8212; There are inherent differences among the hardware, software and human elements from which systems are constructed. <br>&#8212; Almost every present-day system contains, and/or is modeled and supported by computer-based technology. <br>&#8212; There is a lack of harmonisation and integration of the involved disciplines, including science, engineering, management and finance. <br>3. NATO armaments acquisition process is focusing on multinational programmes, which emphasises the need for common methods of work by Nations and Agencies. The definition of such common methods is through the process management documented in this publication. <br>4. This publication should be used by NATO programmes, NATO Agencies, and NATO Nations in the implementation of System Life Cycle Management. It facilitates interoperability, communication, collaboration and cooperation, while minimising total life cycle cost. Processes in this document form a comprehensive set from which a programme can select to construct system life cycle models appropriate for the armament system or equipment to be fielded. These set of processes provide a common framework for the consistent implementation of life cycle management best practices. <br>5. The NATO Policy for Standardisation calls for the use of civil standards to the maximum practicable extent. ISO/IEC 15288:2008, "Systems Engineering &#8211; System Life Cycle Processes", is already in use in several Nations and provides a general framework that is neutral to existing individual Nations' Acquisition Processes. Following this guidance, NATO will use ISO/IEC 15288:2008 as the basis for implementing SLCM. This allows for traditional acquisition or iterative developments and procurement cycles for the realisation of required capabilities.