The Military Computer Family: a New. Joint-Service Approach to Military Computer Acquisition

A new approach to developing and acquiring computers for the military has been under development over the past 2½ years by the Army's Electronics Command and the Navy's Air Systems Command. Known as the Military Computer Family Program, the joint effort now includes the Air Force's Electronic Systems Division and Rome Air Development Center (as observers). It is aimed at providing defense system developers with a software-compatible family of military computers that have extensive systems/support software. The various phases of the work being performed under the MCF Program are the subject of the principal articles in this issue. The overall objectives and major thrusts are summarized below.