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Appendix A. NATO-CCEB List of Understandings (LoU)

A.1. List of Understandings between NATO and the CCEB

38. Editorial Note: The intent of the NATO-CCEB LoU remains extant even though from 2007 onwards the NISP replaced the NC3TA, the NCSP became extinct, the NATO Overarching Architecture, the NNEC evolved considerably and the NC3B organization changed.

A.1. List of Understandings between NATO and the CCEB

39. References:

  1. NATO Letter AC/322(SC/5)L/144 of 18 October 2000

  2. CCEB Letter D/CCEB/WS/1/16 of 9 November 2000

  3. NATO Letter AC/322(SC/5)L/157 of 13 February 2001

40. Purpose

41. The purpose of this document is to provide an enduring record of the understandings that have been reached between NATO and the Combined Communications Electronics Board (CCEB) in regard to the harmonization of the NATO and CCEB technical architectures

42. Background

43. At reference 1, NATO (through the ISSC) noted the parallel activities in NATO and the CCEB to develop a multi-national technical architecture. As this represented an opportunity to converge on a single technical architecture NATO extended an invitation to Australia and New Zealand, as non-NATO members of the CCEB, to participate as non-voting observers in the NATO Open Systems Working Group (NOSWG) meetings and on-line discussions. NATO (via the ISSC) assured Australia and New Zealand that their technical contributions would be accorded the same consideration as all other participants in NOSWG meetings.

44. The CCEB, at reference 2, accepted these invitations and confirmed that it was a CCEB priority to develop a single technical architecture to enhance interoperability between NATO and CCEB nations. Collaborative work with NATO and CCEB subject matter experts in early 2001 demonstrated that harmonization of the relevant sections of the CCEB and NATO technical architectures was achievable. Further collaborative effort throughout 2001 resulted in a harmonized technical architecture consisting relevant portions of NCSP Ver 2, ACP140A and CCEB Pub 1007.

45. To ensure that a single technical architecture would recognize the needs of all CCEB nations, the CCEB sought clarification on Australia and New Zealand participation in technical architecture development and maintenance. Of particular note were the equity arrangements and opportunities for Australia and New Zealand to contribute to and influence future technical architecture development, and access to all relevant standards and documents referenced in the NATO technical architecture. The ISSC has assured the CCEB that technical contributions from Australia and New Zealand will be accorded the same consideration as those submitted by all other participants at NOSWG meetings at reference C and that the ISSC will support the release of relevant NATO documents to Australia and New Zealand, subject to NATO Policy regarding the release of NATO documents to non-NATO nations and NATO Security Policy. Subsequently the CCEB confirmed its intention, subject to acceptance of the NATO NCSP Vol 4 version 3 by all CCEB nations, to adopt it as its technical architecture.

46. The September 2001 NATO Open Systems Working Group meeting drafted a List of Understandings to document agreements and processes that would provide an enduring record for future NOSWG participants of the background of the technical architecture harmonization initiative, and the continuing role of Australia and New Zealand (as non-NATO nations) in this activity.

47. List of Understandings

48. The following understandings and undertakings have been agreed between NATO and the CCEB in regard to the harmonization of current and future versions the NATO and CCEB technical architectures:

  1. NATO desires that the NC3TA be acceptable to all the CCEB nations.

  2. The CCEB intends to adopt NC3TA Volume 4 (NCSP) as the CCEB technical architecture following its acceptance by the all CCEB member nations.

  3. The CCEB desires that the scope of NC3TA Volume 4 (NCSP) be comparable to ACP140A and the rationale for NCSP standards selection be detailed in a NATO document able to be referenced in CCEB policy.

  4. Australia and New Zealand, as non-NATO members of the CCEB, are invited to participate as observers and their technical contributions will be accorded the same consideration as those submitted from all other participants in NOSWG meetings. Being non-NATO nations, Australia and New Zealand acknowledge that they are not able to vote in NOSWG matters.

  5. The CCEB will note any variances in CCEB interoperability standards in the remarks column of the NCSP standards tables with the remark 'For CCEB interoperability the standard is ...'

  6. If necessary, Australia and New Zealand will develop and publish national supplements to document national variances or exceptions to NC3TA NCSP standards. These instances are expected to be rare. Any nationally approved Australian and New Zealand national supplements to the NC3TA NCSP will be forwarded to the NOSWG Secretary for formal distribution to all NATO nations.

  7. Any Request For Change Proposals (RFCPs) or amendments proposed to the NC3TA NCSP (Volume 4) by NATO nations will be distributed in accordance with NATO policy for the release of NATO documents to non-NATO nations (via email to the maximum extent possible in accordance with NATO Policy on the use of the Internet) by the NOSWG Secretary to the Australian and New Zealand representatives to the NOSWG for staffing nationally within Australia and New Zealand.

  8. Australia and New Zealand will be provided access (in a readable electronic format wherever possible) to all standards and documents listed in the NC3TA NCSP to the maximum extent possible in accordance with NATO policy for the release of NATO documents to non-NATO nations and NATO Security Policy. The United Kingdom will sponsor release of the relevant NATO documents to Australia and New Zealand.

  9. As necessary, the United Kingdom Mission in NATO will act as the Point of Contact for distribution of all NC3TA NCSP documents between NATO and Australia and New Zealand.

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