The Army’s Unified Data Reference Architecture (UDRA) introduces data mesh principles to flatten and simplify the Army’s data architecture, streamline data product sharing across mission partners, and support data-driven decision making at greater speed and scale. The UDRA aligns with DoD Data Strategy goals, the Department of Defense (DoD) Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Officer (CDAO) data mesh approach, the U.S. Army Data Plan, and the Decision-Driven Data Concept of Operations (CONOPS).
The Army UDRA:
- Provides the means to meet Soldiers’ needs for data by incorporating feedback mechanisms to drive data product content and quality
- Describes and defines services for self-service data product discovery and consumption
- Includes transport-agnostic data exchanges that support the full range of networks at all echelons, reducing replication and persistence of data
- Leverages federated governance and enables automated enforcement of global and local governance policies
- Decentralizes responsibility and authority for data products to improve data quality and scale the Army’s ability to share data products between data domains
The UDRA is intended to guide the Army’s acquisition of data-centric capabilities and increase the Army’s effectiveness as part of a combined/joint warfighting force.