Multilateral Interoperability Programs
The Multilateral Interoperability Program (MIP) is a multilateral interoperability program created in 1998 with the aim of defining a common interface that ensures the exchange of information between management information systems of the nations and organizations involved in the program. This interface can be used at all management levels; there are no technical restrictions on the part of MIP.
General
Since its inception, MIP has become an essential standard for military information exchange. The currently available MIP Baseline 3.1 (BL3.1) is based on operational requirements for a "joint" data exchange, "plans and orders" and a significantly simplified data exchange mechanism (DEM) compared to the MIP BL2. The multinational standard has also been expanded to include operational aspects. The service life for the MIP BL3.1 is at least 4 years (in-service period 4 plus). Optional expansion from 2014, such as the "Alternative Develop and Exchange Method (ADEM)" enable use in modern networks.
The core element of the MIP solution is the joint NATO exchange data model JC3IEDM (Joint C3 (Command, Control and Consultation) Information Exchange Data Model), as well as its successor, the MIM (MIP Information Model), which defines the information space. There are several mechanisms available to the user for the exchange of information between the systems:
- DEM the data exchange mechanism that works on the basis of database replication
- MEM the message exchange mechanism, which is comparable to a standard e-mail application
- WebService an implementation of the web service mechanisms Publish / Subscripe Request / Response
- other exchange mechanisms (e.g. DDS (Data Distribution Service))
Participating nations and organizations
The following 26 nations and organizations are currently involved in the MIP:
Awards
The Multilateral Interoperability Program MIP was recognized in 2008 by the American Institute for Defense and Government Advancement (IDGA) as the winner in the category “Outstanding NCW Program from a Coalition Partner” with the “Network Centric Warfare Award”. This underlines the special importance of MIP for interoperability.