scope:

This planning standard establishes a reference source of unified system design guidance applicable to the evolving and future Defense Communications System (DCS). This guidance is intended to help assure the compatibility of future DCS subsystems, as well as the inter-operability of the DCS with other DoD and non-DoD communications systems. Specifically, this planning standard is intended to:

a. Avoid unilateral design decisions by one engineering group

b. Pinpoint areas where design decisions are needed

c. Facilitate the comparison and evaluation of design criteria in regard to tradeoffs, impact on other subsystems, and over-all system performance

d. Assure utilization of appropriate advances in technology

e. Provide wider exposure of design decisions to all interested DoD activities.

This planning standard is to be used in the planning and design of future DCS subsystems, as well as programs for communications facilities to be used in, or that interface with, the DCS. This planning standard is to be used as a basis for preparing system and equipment development specifications (Types A and B respectively, as described in MIL-STD-490), but should not be used for preparing procurement specifications, since it is subject to change as the design of the future DCS evolves and is refined.