What role is NAVAIR playing to coordinate and integrate its programs with the other Navy systems commands [SYSCOMs]?
LOCKARD: I am glad you asked that question, because this is one area that clearly is a focal point for all of us right now–meaning all of the SYSCOM commanders and our operational counterparts. We are now building a new systems-integration office at the Naval Sea Systems Command headquarters. That office will focus on servicewide integration. I am staffing it with members from NAVAIR, and SPAWAR [Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command] is going to staff it as well. This office will become a focal point for all matters of interoperability to ensure that we do not overlook any aspect of naval operations as we modify or develop new products. Interoperability clearly is in the forefront of all that we do. I’m satisfied that we are making progress, but in this arena you can never make progress fast enough. The world is changing so rapidly that we must have continuing, nonrelenting improvement in our ability to interoperate or communicate better. We have made some good progress, but there’
