PMCS INDUSTRY DAY: MCLEAN, VA, MONDAY, JUNE 2, 1997 Programmable Modular Communications System (PMCS) Industry Day. In seeking a cost-effective approach for the next generation communication system, the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) has formed an Integrated Product Team (IPT) to explore the creation of an open systems architecture for the Programmable Modular Communications System (PMCS). The IPT includes active participation from each of the Services, BMDO, DARPA, DARO, DISA, NSA and the FAA. PMCS-based products will be the next generation of radio/data link systems that provide interoperability with legacy waveforms and infrastructure and the capability to satisfy evolving communications requirements for many users. PMCS-based products implement waveforms, encryption, and major communication processing functions in software. Through its modularity, PMCS-based products will use common open systems standards for hardware and software across a family of scaled and extended configurations for different platform environments. PMCS allows for future upgrades that provide cost reductions, performance enhancements, and technology insertion. The IPT is currently developing a PMCS reference model with the following objectives: 1) maximize use of available commercial/non-developmental hardware and software items to reduce recurring and non-recurring costs, 2) minimize proprietary interfaces and maximize use of commercial standards to expand production sources, and 3) minimize the number of unique hardware configurations and maximize software reprogrammability to increase the production base. This model forms a starting point for a PMCS architecture. By this announcement, OSD is soliciting input from businesses interested in building future PMCS products. Recognizing the importance of industry participation, the IPT strongly desires to engage businesses in an active and constructive dialogue in developing this PMCS reference model and subsequent architecture. OSD wants to ensure that it does not mandate architectural requirements that establish artificial barriers to production sources. On Monday, June 2, 1997 OSD will host a PMCS Industry Day in McLean, VA. It will be held at The MITRE Corporation, McLean, from 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM. DoD will present its draft System Reference Model, and answer questions in an open forum. Industry will have an open microphone to provide recommendations, concerns, and critique. However, marketing presentations would be inappropriate and are strongly discouraged. Advance documentation on the PMCS and information on how to register for Industry Day will be posted at http://www.dtic.mil/c3i/ under "What+s New" later this month. Starting on Tuesday, June 3, 1997 OSD will host PMCS Industry One-on-Ones. These 45-minute private sessions will be held at The MITRE Corporation, Reston, VA. Additional information will be posted on the above Web site by May 15, 1997. This is not a solicitation. WEB: "What's New", http://www.dtic.mil/c3i/.

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