Joint Technical Architecture (JTA)

The JTA is a document that mandates the minimum set of standards and guidelines for the acquisition of all U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) systems that produce, use or exchange information. It is designed to be used by anyone involved in the management, development or acquisition of new or improved systems within DoD.

Development of the JTA is conducted by the JTA Development Group (JTADG), under the direction of the DoD Technical Architecture Steering Group (TASG). Both groups include senior technical architects (or their representatives) from the DoD Components (Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD), the Military Departments, the Organization of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (OJCS), the Unified and Specified Commands and the Defense Agencies) and from the Intelligence community.

It is widely recognized that better interoperability and information flow across the DoD would support the Joint Warfighting Science and Technology Plan. In order for systems to communicate in a joint warfare situation, they must be designed for interoperability from the beginning. The scope of JTA 2.0 includes information technology and information technology-related standards in DoD systems that may exchange information or services across a joint, functional or organizational boundary.