The Defence Science and Technology Laboratory has detailed its Single Information Environment (SInfoE), a Ministry of Defence‑owned software architecture designed to move operational data quickly from origin to need and to accelerate search, discovery and access across Defence. The case study was published on 7 January 2026. ([gov.uk](https://www.gov.uk/government/case-studies/dstl-overcome-challenges-of-interoperability-with-new-software))
Dstl’s Cyber and Information Systems team began work in 2018 to scope the problem and build consensus. By 2021, working with industry partners, it had delivered the foundations of SInfoE, providing a common, MOD‑owned route to discover and access data across domains. ([gov.uk](https://www.gov.uk/government/case-studies/dstl-overcome-challenges-of-interoperability-with-new-software))
Defence operations depend on information moving between radars, satellites, aircraft, warships, drones, air‑defence systems and soldiers on the ground, while the future force will blend legacy platforms with autonomous systems and AI‑enabled decision support. SInfoE is intended to support that mix irrespective of supplier. ([gov.uk](https://www.gov.uk/government/case-studies/dstl-overcome-challenges-of-interoperability-with-new-software))
Engagement scaled in 2021 when Defence Equipment and Support’s ‘Game Changer’ programme Multi‑Domain Integrated Systems (MDIS) engaged with the work. In July 2024, MDIS ran the month‑long ARCHERON trial, integrating Royal Navy, Army and RAF systems with industry drones; the event demonstrated rapid cross‑supplier exchange of operational data using SInfoE. ([gov.uk](https://www.gov.uk/government/case-studies/dstl-overcome-challenges-of-interoperability-with-new-software))
Dstl notes that SInfoE is built on NATO standards and is intended to ease collaboration with Allies. ([gov.uk](https://www.gov.uk/government/case-studies/dstl-overcome-challenges-of-interoperability-with-new-software)) NATO defines interoperability as the ability of Allies to act together coherently, effectively and efficiently to achieve objectives, a definition that sets the baseline for technical, procedural and human alignment. ([nato.int](https://www.nato.int/cps/em/natohq/topics_84112.htm?utm_source=openai))
From a procurement and integration standpoint, Dstl reports that giving each system a single SInfoE interface could reduce integration work to hours or days and avoid repeated bespoke builds, delivering savings measured in the millions. The design goal is to connect ‘any system’ via one interface. ([gov.uk](https://www.gov.uk/government/case-studies/dstl-overcome-challenges-of-interoperability-with-new-software))
The MOD‑owned component model aligns with NATO’s practice of testing and validating interoperability through exercises such as the annual Coalition Warrior Interoperability Exercise (CWIX), which de‑risks command‑and‑control capabilities before deployment and supports Federated Mission Networking. ([act.nato.int](https://www.act.nato.int/activities/federated-interoperability/?utm_source=openai))
The case study does not set a formal deployment schedule, but the ARCHERON result and Dstl’s description outline the intended path: NATO‑aligned interfaces, vendor neutrality and faster onboarding of unmanned and digital decision‑support capabilities. Dstl signposts how organisations can engage with the laboratory. ([gov.uk](https://www.gov.uk/government/case-studies/dstl-overcome-challenges-of-interoperability-with-new-software))