Home
# MTFXML
This project supports collaborative development, configuration management and implementation of United States and NATO Message Text Format (MTF) military standards using the Extensible Markup Language and Web technologies.
Message Text Format (MTF) is required by all DoD Services and NATO for text based information exchanges. MTF has been developed and maintained since 1995 and was implemented as a native XML defined MIL STD in 2004. It represents an authoritative data source for the content, format and context of messages used to support military operations and processes.
The original format of MTF as slash delimited text entries is supported and remains interoperable with the XML defined military standards (MIL STD).
Many format and design principles for MTF are driven by legacy communication systems and networks. The proliferation of W3C web services and access to robust network connectivity across the range of military operations (ROMO) have encouraged modernization and improvement efforts which this project is intended to support.
MTF messages are in wide use across US DoD and NATO in various forms, so attention must be given to retaining compatibility and consistency. The format is based on operator driven shorthand communication methods which pre-date similar manifestations in modern chat and texting software. The format is based on human factors which require complete, concise, and rapid information exchange of complex mission critical data items in an efficient human readable and actionable manner.
The messages, components and data items represent operational institutional knowledge which is recognized and reinforced by continuous use in US and NATO forces for over 20 years. In some ways this information can be regarded as a material manifestation of Western Warfighting methods and principles. MTF provides a lexical and semantic baseline which can be leveraged to preserve knowledge and support improvements for current and emergent inter-operable military information exchanges.
The advent of the NIEM methodology in the United States to achieve inter-operable information exchanges between all government agencies, to include the military provides an opportunity to leverage the institutional knowledge which resides in MTF. Corresponding data harmonization efforts in NATO have the same objectives and will also benefit from improvements in the MTF standard specifications and implementations.
##Data Resources
The source XML Schema for USMTF and NATO MTF are distribution restricted. This project does not provide any part of this data so participants must request and obtain access to these resources in order to leverage the project.
For those with access to these resources, they are at PKI and password protected sites located below. Instructions for requesting access can be found there as well.
USMTF: https://disa.deps.mil/ext/cop/JINTACCS/USMTF/default.aspx
NATO MTF: https://nhqc3s.hq.nato.int/default.aspx
Required baseline USMTF files are provided in a zip file containing (5) XML files: messages.xsd, sets.xsd, composites.xsd, fields.xsd, and IC-ISM-v2.xsd. NATO MTF schema are provided as individual message sets in directories with (4) files each: messages.xsd, sets.xsd, composites.xsd and fields.xsd.
##XML SCHEMA RE-FACTORING
The naming and design rules for the baseline XML Schema for these MIL STDs are part of the specification. The objectives of this project are to normalize, optimize, streamline and align these XML Schema for use in web services, achieve alignment with the emergent National Information Exchange Model (NIEM) methodology which is used for many non military purposes, and generally employ best practices for XML schema aware implementations.
NIEM specifies Naming and Design Rules (NDR) which employ the Garden of Eden schema design pattern and require naming patterns which are not part of the current MIL STD specifications. The re-factor required to obtain equivalent XML Schema which meet these requirements is accomplished using XSLT. These files are provided in the source code.
All reference implementations in this project rely on re-factored and consolidated XML schema that must be produced by applying the provided XSLTs to the baseline XML schema. This project is monitored by representatives from the US and NATO configuration management teams who will introduce recommended updates to the standards based on the advantages that may be demonstrated by reference implementations. Developers are encouraged to use the forum on this project to communicate suggestions and recommendations to inform the process.