NATO nations and partners rely on Enterprise Architect

The NATO Framework NAFv4 is a comprehensive framework for the application of enterprise architectures in a military and non-military context. To use the framework with the UAF metamodel, Germany and Switzerland use Enterprise Architect as the standard modelling tool.

Vienna – The aim of the NATO Architecture Framework Version 4 (NAFv4) is to provide a standard for the development and description of architectures for both military and business purposes. The framework was designed in such a way that NATO member states and partners can extend it according to their own requirements. Germany and Switzerland, for example, use this option to create their own views, e.g. requirement views, in their projects.

The NATO Framework NAFv4 is a comprehensive framework for the application of IT architectures in a military and non-military context

Christian Freihoff, system architect at the German Armed Forces, and Beat Lang from the Swiss Armed Forces are working intensively on NAFv4 at NATO level and are responsible for the national extensions:

‘Framework version 4, published in January 2018, now contains its own methodology for the development of architectures or the implementation of architecture-related projects. The layout of the views and the document itself are clearer and easier to understand, which has significantly improved accessibility. Germany and Switzerland use Enterprise Architect as the standard modelling tool, but it is also widely used in other NATO nations and partners as well as in industry.’

Beat Lang, Swiss Army

Christian Freihoff, German Bundeswehr

Peter Lieber, Founder and owner of SparxSystems Europe:

Enterprise Architect is also popular with around 1,000,000 users for its ability to develop extensions for specific use cases quickly and easily using MDG technologies. We are delighted that Christian Freihoff and Beat Lang have utilised this opportunity to gain additional benefits from NAFv4 for Germany and Switzerland. Thankfully, this extension is available to all interested parties free of charge to make the use of the framework even more interesting for others.’

 The NAF is designed to ensure that architectures developed in compliance with it can be used across many organisations, including NATO and other initiatives.

The traditional development approach has often led to a collection of disparate systems that have never been sufficiently interoperable. As a result, the systems did not deliver the expected benefits such as interoperability, robustness of operation, cost reduction and flexibility for change. The NAFv4 MDG developed by Germany and Switzerland implements the OMG’s UAF metamodel.

NAFv4: Architectural framework for the military and economy

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Common language for architects

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Standardised architecture management

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Requirements for the description and presentation of architectural information

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Creating interoperability between architects

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Compatible with international standards from ISO/IEC/IEEE, TOG and OMG

Peter Lieber, Founder and Managing Director of SparxSystems Europe

Spezifische MDG Technologie für das NAFv4

About SparxSystems Europe 

Sparx Systems Pty Ltd (Australia) was founded in 1996 and is the manufacturer of Enterprise Architect, a globally successful UML modelling platform. Enterprise Architect is used for designing and building software systems, business process modelling and modelling any process or system. Enterprise Architect is recognised by over 1 million users for its performance at an unbeatable price. Enterprise Architect is an easy-to-understand, team-based modelling environment that helps companies to analyse, design and create systems that can be accurately understood and documented. With the help of this tool, companies are enabled to collect and visualise the often very dispersed knowledge of teams and departments in a centralised manner.

SparxSystems Software Europe was set up in 2004 to provide the best possible Enterprise Architect service to the many customers in their language and time zone, supporting the entire German-speaking region with licence acquisition, training and consulting. SparxSystems Software Europe is a business unit of the Lieber.Group.