Standards for Integrated C5ISR/EW systems (STICS)
A suite of open standards and specifications enabling modularity and interoperability in C5ISR and Electronic Warfare (EW) systems.
The electromagnetic environment is changing, with rapidly evolving threats and technologies challenging UK Defence’s ability to robustly develop, procure and deploy effective Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Cyber, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (C5ISR) and EW capabilities.
Standards for Integrated C5ISR/EW systems (STICS)
STICS is an approach that enables UK Strategic Command to achieve the rapid integration and reconfiguration of cost-effective, high performance C5ISR/EW capabilities. It is a set of federated open technical standards, system structures, modular building blocks and behaviours to enable industry to deliver open and modular C5ISR/EW systems.
STICS goals
STICS will strengthen our industrial partnerships, enhance the effectiveness of our procurement programmes and ensure the UK is ready to meet its defence commitments both now and in the future. The key goals of this approach are:
- to advocate the use of existing and/or emerging technical standards
- to allow open access to, and the exploitation of, applicable information
- to coherently align with government narratives and policy
- to enable affordable and on-demand solutions
- to facilitate flexible and extensible systems
The STICS approach leverages the Sensor Open Systems Architecture (SOSA) and C5ISR/EW Modular Open Suite of Standards (CMOSS) initiatives established in the US and tailors them for UK use. Until November 2024, STICS was known as the Land CEMA Architecture (LCA). The new name reflects its wider applicability across other domains and capabilities.
The standards currently adopted by STICS are:
- Common Services Framework
- Open Component Portability Infrastructure (OpenCPI)
- Modular Open Radio Frequency Architecture (MORA)
- Generic Vehicle Architecture GVA
- OpenVPX
STICS benefits for UK Defence, industry and stakeholders
- Improved interoperability with other UK Defence capabilities.
- Improved interoperability with allied and partner nations through the promotion of internationally adopted common standards and interfaces.
- System designers are able to build systems composed of interchangeable components and modules, which improve scalability.
- STICS reduces SWaP (Size, Weight and Power) by enabling efficient hardware-sharing, providing spare capacity for growth.
- Accelerated capability development achieved using capabilities that address emerging requirements.
- Reduced platform-specific installations, achieved using common chassis and interfaces.
- Hardware can be upgraded more regularly, negating the need for end-of-life purchases.
Using STICS: the STICS Technical Specification
The STICS Technical Specification (STS) is a key STICS artefact that has been produced in support of achieving the STICS goals.
The STS contains reference architecture and associated requirement specifications which define how the STICS current standards can be applied to the design of C5ISR and EW systems.
The STS underpins the STICS approach by:
- allowing strategic stakeholders to direct, cohere and support the mandated use of STICS
- helping material developers (i.e. defence industry) to define business roadmaps and STICS-aligned product development
- enabling acquisition projects to tender, contract, deliver and support STICS-aligned capabilities
- STS can be used by media organisations to drive the awareness and adoption of STICS
How defence enables STICS
The UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) is directly investing in the development of STICS by:
- managing the links to national and international technical standards bodies, such as SOSA and CMOSS
- generating and maintaining the STS to reflect changing Defence needs
- de-risking the technology’s maturation with our industrial partners
Defence is also engaging in demonstrations and experimentation with government stakeholders, offering technical support services to current and potential users, and will be looking to provide STICS development tools and conformance mechanisms in the future.
These efforts are building towards the provision of a sustainable STICS enterprise prior to its exploitation in our acquisition programmes.
STICS in practice
Force Protection
Project CRENIC is a 5-year, £45 million contract with Team Protect, the UK Industry System Integrator consortium, to provide UK Armed Forces with protection against improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
CRENIC is one of the first defence projects to use the STICS approach to enable an agile acquisition approach to meet new threats through rapid insertion of new technologies.
Crown Copyright.
Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD)
A £41 million contract related to CRENIC is also delivering digital protection against remotely triggered devices to defence specialists called upon by UK police forces.
The capability will provide the British Army’s 11 EOD and Search Regiment of the Royal Logistic Corps, and the Royal Naval Fleet Diving Squadron, with both vehicle-mounted and portable systems.
The use of open standards through exploitation of STICS will ensure hardware and software can be flexibly-deployed and upgraded over the capabilities’ lifetime, mitigating risks posed by ever-evolving threats.
Copyright: Leonardo UK.
Contact us
The STICS Enterprise Management Office (EMO) acts as an initial point of contact for general queries, business integration and forum administration.
Detailed technical guidance, standards development, demonstrators and cross-government and international engagement, are managed by the STICS Technical Management Office (TMO).