scope:

General

This Defence Standard encapsulates Maritime Combat System Group Policies and Procedures for Combat System Integration across the current Surface Fleet and is a document suitable for contractual purposes in equipment procurement.

Applicability

Def Stan 21-88 is mandatory for those ship classes that are networked with a Def Stan 00-19 Combat System Highway (CSH), where the MoD, is responsible for Combat System Integration. Def Stan 21-88 is mandatory for all CSEs on these platforms; for these CSEs any deviation from Def Stan 21-88 must have the written approval of the Combat System Integrating Authority (CSIA) (formerly PCSM or CSDA) for the platform.

These policies and procedures shall be applied, in whole or in part, to combat system integration on non CSH-fitted ship classes whenever possible. A confidence or risk based approach to the integration process may be applied. The CSIA of such classes shall declare the extent to which Def Stan 21-88 is applicable and shall provide alternative policies and procedures where Def Stan 21-88 is inappropriate. For these ship classes, EPMs should seek guidance from the CSIA prior to implementing Def Stan 21-88.

Industry may perform the role of CSIA and use a confidence or risk based approach to tailor their combat system integration activities. In addition advances in technology may enable alternatives to the networks described in this standard. In these situations, Def Stan 21-88 may be specified as a yardstick to assess whether the policies and procedures necessary to reduce the Combat System integration risk are in place. It is anticipated that this Def Stan will be updated periodically to address new networking standards.