This briefing give government participants and prospective members information about the EDGE Innovation Network. The EDGE® Innovation Network is a revolutionary model where industry, academia, and non-profit organizations, along with government entities, collaborate in an open community environment to rapidly deliver new technologies and innovative capabilities to warfighters and first responders. Our mission: Create and maintain an open environment where members and customers can characterize, nurture, develop and deliver current and emerging technologies and capabilities to equip a more mobile, better connected and better informed end-user.

1. © 2012 General Dynamics C4 Systems. All rights reserved.
Introduction to the EDGE®
What is the EDGE® and How Does it Work?
8/14/2013 1

2. © 2012 General Dynamics C4 Systems. All rights reserved.© 2012 General Dynamics C4 Systems. All rights reserved.
Purpose of the EDGE
Expedited Innovation to Fulfill User Needs
8/14/2013Introduction to the EDGE® | What is the EDGE® and How Does it Work? 2
Anyone can join the EDGE® and collaborate with any other member(s) at will.
Basic membership is free.
Provide an open, collaborative environment enabling industry and
academia to rapidly integrate solutions for Warfighters, First
Responders and other End Users of technology.

3. © 2012 General Dynamics C4 Systems. All rights reserved.© 2012 General Dynamics C4 Systems. All rights reserved.
Motivation for the EDGE
Responding to Common Problems
8/14/2013 3
Cumbersome, Lengthy, Expensive Acquisition Processes Information & Technology Overload for End Users
Hype Cycle for Any New Technology/Program/Product
Hype leads to asking for the possible instead of practical.
Complicated bureaucracy or process can lead to years of delay. Overwhelming amount of available information and complexity.
EXPECTATIONS
TIMETrough of Disillusionment
Peak of
Inflated Expectations
Separation of Stakeholders and Culture
Industry Academia
CustomersEnd-Users
Diverse, distributed & disconnected set of stakeholders.
Introduction to the EDGE® | What is the EDGE® and How Does it Work?

4. © 2012 General Dynamics C4 Systems. All rights reserved.© 2012 General Dynamics C4 Systems. All rights reserved.
Participants in the EDGE
Connecting Customers, End Users and Members
8/14/2013Introduction to the EDGE® | What is the EDGE® and How Does it Work? 4
EDGE Innovation Network
End Users and
Customers
• Gaps
• Requirements
• Needs
• Feedback
Identifying
Needs and
Providing
No-Obligation
Feedback on
Innovations
Network
Members
• Industry
• Academia
• Non-Profit
• Business Services
Worldwide
Network of
Technology
Providers
Innovating &
Integrating
The EDGE® connects those who need technology with those that develop it; followed
by quick-turn integration and demonstration of innovations for customer/user feedback.
Worldwide Network of Innovation Centers
to Facilitate Collaboration
EDGE Innovation Centers (EICs)
Knowledge Management System (KMS)

5. © 2012 General Dynamics C4 Systems. All rights reserved.© 2012 General Dynamics C4 Systems. All rights reserved.
EDGE Innovation Centers
Worldwide Network of Facilities for Collaboration
8/14/2013Introduction to the EDGE® | What is the EDGE® and How Does it Work? 5
Planned EDGE® Centers
Existing EDGE® Centers
Leavenworth, Kan.
Mission Command
and User Center
Scottsdale, Ariz. EIC Hub
Warrior Systems
Federal/Civil
Cyber
Cloud Computing
Radios
Mission Command
College Station (Texas A&M)
Center for Emergency Informatics
Orlando, Fla.
Testing & Training
Sterling Heights, Mich.
Vehicle Design & Mfg
Taunton, Mass. EIC Hub
Vehicle C4ISR
Networks
Seabrook, Md.
Space Innovation Center
Ft, Meade, Md.
Cyber & Intelligence
Washington DC
Public Sector
Stafford, Va.
Marine Corps
User Center
United Kingdom
User and
Technology Center
Nova Scotia,
Canada
Underwater ISR
Ottawa,
Canada
C4ISR
Technologies
Maryland
Aberdeen Proving Ground
User Center
Ft. Bliss, Texas
U.S. Army NIE Center
The EDGE leverages available space and existing laboratories to foster collaboration
and provides convenient access to customers, users, engineers, equipment and technology.
Calgary, Canada
Mobile
Tactical
Communications
Virtual EDGE Centers: Health & Medical; Human Dimension
EICs Under Consideration: Saudi Arabia, Brunei

6. © 2012 General Dynamics C4 Systems. All rights reserved.© 2012 General Dynamics C4 Systems. All rights reserved.
Components of a World-Class Innovation
Center
8/14/2013Introduction to the EDGE® | What is the EDGE® and How Does it Work? 6
Innovation Centers support the fundamental EDGE tenets of visioneering, human centered
design, rapid prototyping, customer and end user feedback, and rapid fielding.
v
Entrance Reception Project Results Immersion
Training Staff Offices Modeling & Sim HCD
Visioneering Meetings Demonstrations Laboratories

7. © 2012 General Dynamics C4 Systems. All rights reserved.© 2012 General Dynamics C4 Systems. All rights reserved.
An Open, Virtual, Collaborative Network
And Access Hub to Other Networks
8/14/2013 7
The EDGE can be viewed as an open virtual network of industry, academia, customers, and
end users. Innovation Centers are natural hubs that connect-in other regional networks.
Introduction to the EDGE® | What is the EDGE® and How Does it Work?
Leavenworth, Kan.
Mission Command
User Center
Scottsdale, Ariz. EIC HUB
• Federal/Civil
• Cloud Computing
• Mission Command
• Warrior
• Cyber
• Radios
Ottawa, CANADA
C4ISR Technologies
Ft. Meade, Md.
Cyber and Intelligence
College Station, Texas
(Texas A&M)
Emergency
Informatics
European
User and
Technology
Center
Orlando, Fla.
Testing, Training,
Modeling & Simulation
Ft Bliss, Texas
Army Network
Integration Evaluation
Taunton, Mass. EIC HUB
• Vehicle C4ISR
• Networks
Maryland
Aberdeen Proving
Ground User Center
Sterling
Heights, Mich..
Combat Vehicle
Design and Mfg.
Stafford, Virg.
Marine Corps
User Center
EDGE Innovation Center Regional Network EDGE Members
Seabrook, Md.
Space Technologies
Calgary, CANADA
Mobile Tactical
Communications

8. © 2012 General Dynamics C4 Systems. All rights reserved.© 2012 General Dynamics C4 Systems. All rights reserved.
General EDGE Membership
Open, Virtual, Collaborative Network of Providers
8/14/2013Introduction to the EDGE® | What is the EDGE® and How Does it Work? 8
The EDGE “casts a wide net” to industry,
academia, non-profit and business service
organizations of all sizes, as well as other
potential customers and end users.
>400
300
200
100
0
2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
Membership Growth Membership Composition
Large
(>500)
17%
Medium
(<500)
17% Small (<50)
72%
EDGE membership tends
to self-grow via referral
by customers, end users,
and other members.
Small Business
Plays a Big Part
in the EDGE
Hub Zone
Historically
Black College
Veteran Owned
8A Certified
Small Disabled
Veteran Business
Small Disadvantaged
Business
Small Business
Women Owned
Small Business
Women Owned
0 50 100
EDGE Members
Address the
U.S. Government
Special Categories
150 200
4
0
23
1
12
11--
178
35
31
2012
Current, Based on
# of Employees
2013

9. © 2012 General Dynamics C4 Systems. All rights reserved.© 2012 General Dynamics C4 Systems. All rights reserved.
Further Extending the Open Network
via the EDGE Executive Members
8/14/2013 9
Executive Members of the EDGE are access points to their partner and supplier networks;
thereby expanding the reach of the Innovation Network even further.
Introduction to the EDGE® | What is the EDGE® and How Does it Work?
EDGE Innovation Center
Executive EDGE Member and
Partner/Supplier Network EDGE Members

10. © 2012 General Dynamics C4 Systems. All rights reserved.© 2012 General Dynamics C4 Systems. All rights reserved.
Domain of EDGE Operation:
“Left of RFP” and “Right of ICA”
8/14/2013Introduction to the EDGE® | What is the EDGE® and How Does it Work? 10
The EDGE® operates “left of RFP” and “right of ICA” to crystallize customer and user
needs/gaps, prototype solutions, foster consensus, and deliver the right thing the first time.
• ID Customer(s) & End User(s)
• Crystallize/Capture the Need
• Communicate to Wide Network
• Foster Holistic Solution Concepts
• Integrate Rapid Solution Prototypes
• Gather Feedback and Build Consensus
• Lay Framework for Successful & Rapid Acquisition
• Continuous Focus on End Users
• Incremental Development & Fielding
• Regular Technology Refreshment
Right-of-ICA
Left-of-RFP
Explores the Potential of
Current and Emerging
Technologies & Capabilities
Keeps a Program’s
Technology & Capabilities
Relevant

11. © 2012 General Dynamics C4 Systems. All rights reserved.© 2012 General Dynamics C4 Systems. All rights reserved.
The Overall EDGE Process
Rapidly Fielding “Cutting Edge” Technology to the “Tactical Edge”
8/14/2013Introduction to the EDGE® | What is the EDGE® and How Does it Work? 11
The EDGE process crystallizes the user need, communicates that need worldwide,
facilitates collaborative ideas & prototypes, and yields holistic practical solutions.
Visioneer the Need
Bring focus, clarity and deep
understanding to user problem
Spread the Word
Get the word out to as wide an
audience as possible
Visioneer Solutions
Crystallize practical methods to
quickly fill the need/gap
Visioneer Adoptions
Informed customers and users
formulate procurement plans
Identify, clarify and capture gap/need
in way that wide audience of
industry and academia can understand
Propagate understanding to diverse
community, solicit available tech and
creative ways to resolve user problem
Focus on quick-turn, small investment
projects intended to arrive at consensus
of the practical and “good enough”
Adopt solution into new or existing
program(s); Develop rapid-fielding plan
EDGE
Visioneering
Expert
End User
Government
Customer
End User Government
Customer
Problem ID
Gaps/Needs
EDGE KMS
CFIs
Business
Case Industry/Gov’t
Competitive
Process- Award

12. © 2012 General Dynamics C4 Systems. All rights reserved.© 2012 General Dynamics C4 Systems. All rights reserved.
Traditional Approach vs. EDGE Alternative
Dismounted Soldier System Example
8/14/2013Introduction to the EDGE® | What is the EDGE® and How Does it Work? 12
FUNDAMENTAL NEED/GAP
User-centric, easy-to-understand
view of desired capability and key constraints
TRADITIONAL SOLUTION
Natural tendency of Government acquisition
process and programs of record
EDGE® ALTERNATIVE
Reaching collective “good enough” via quick
integration, demonstration, and feedback
The Need:
Bring the “Power
of the Network”
to the Dismounted
Warfighter
Part of the Answer:
Inexpensive, Highly-
Capable, Voice, and
Data Soldier Radios
The Gap:
Need Some Type of
Computer/Display
to Take Full Advantage
Key Factors:
Soldier Load, Battery
Life, Cost, and
Fightability
The End Result Program cancelled before
large-scale manufacturing
Multiple DoD program adoptions
and rapid fielding to Warfighters.
Total Weight:
Government
Investment:
Program of
Record Duration:
Unit Equipment
Cost:
>15 Lbs.
>$300 M
>10 Years
>50 K
Total Weight:
Government
Investment:
Program of
Record Duration:
Unit Equipment
Cost:
<5 Lbs.
<$8 M
<1 Years
<5 K

13. © 2012 General Dynamics C4 Systems. All rights reserved.© 2012 General Dynamics C4 Systems. All rights reserved.
Human Centered Design
Integral Sub-Process of the EDGE Approach
8/14/2013Introduction to the EDGE® | What is the EDGE® and How Does it Work? 13
Continuous interdisciplinary collaboration between engineers, human scientists,
visual designers and end users ensures solutions are intuitive and effective.

14. © 2012 General Dynamics C4 Systems. All rights reserved.© 2012 General Dynamics C4 Systems. All rights reserved.
Traditional Approach vs. EDGE Alternative
Vehicle C4ISR at an EDGE Innovation Center
8/14/2013Introduction to the EDGE® | What is the EDGE® and How Does it Work? 14
Before After
The EDGE approach results in better integration of legacy systems, added capabilities via EDGE
member technologies, improved Size/Weight/Power and Cost, and a far better user experience.

15. © 2012 General Dynamics C4 Systems. All rights reserved.© 2012 General Dynamics C4 Systems. All rights reserved.
The EDGE Difference
Summary Problems & Solutions
8/14/2013Introduction to the EDGE® | What is the EDGE® and How Does it Work? 15
EDGE responds to the challenges via improved communication, open collaboration, continuous
end user focus, demonstration of the practical, and consensus-building of the good-enough.
Problem
Cumbersome, Lengthy,
Expensive Acquisition Processes
Working with a cumbersome,
lengthy and expensive acquisition
process where it can take
anywhere from 5 to 10 years to
find a new capability.
Problem
Hype Cycle for Any New
Technology/Program/Product
The “hype circle” for new
technologies, programs or products
leading to requests for the possible
instead of
the practical.
Problem
Information Technology Overload
End Users are easily overwhelmed by the
sheer quantity of information and
operational complexity made possible by
the rapid pace of technology.
Problem
Separation of Stakeholders
A diverse set of stakeholders without a
unified understanding of the user
need/gap, the available technologies,
or
the constraints.

16. © 2012 General Dynamics C4 Systems. All rights reserved.© 2012 General Dynamics C4 Systems. All rights reserved.
For More Information
8/14/2013Introduction to the EDGE® | What is the EDGE® and How Does it Work? 16
• Website: http://edge-innovation.com
• Email: edgeinnovation@gdc4s.com
• Telephone:
– Toll Free (U.S.) 1-888-406-EDGE (3343)
– Toll Free (Non-U.S.) 1-877-466-9467
EDGE Innovation Network Director
BG (Ret) Pete Palmer
Pete.Palmer@gdc4s.com
(480) 441-0704
Lead Systems Engineer
Mike Thorlin
Mike.Thorlin@gdc4s.com
(480) 441-3959
Membership Relations
Sheila Leone
Sheila.Leone@gdc4s.com
(480) 390-2252

17. © 2012 General Dynamics C4 Systems. All rights reserved.© 2012 General Dynamics C4 Systems. All rights reserved.
Example EDGE Innovation Center
Vehicle C4ISR and Network EIC in Taunton, Mass.
8/14/2013 17
Innovation Centers provide access to customers, end users,
engineers, equipment and technology for execution of the
collaborative EDGE process.
Introduction to the EDGE® | What is the EDGE® and How Does it Work?

18. © 2012 General Dynamics C4 Systems. All rights reserved.© 2012 General Dynamics C4 Systems. All rights reserved.
Example EDGE Innovation Center
EIC in Scottsdale, Ariz.
8/14/2013 18
Innovation Centers provide access to customers, end users,
engineers, equipment and technology for execution of the
collaborative EDGE process.
Introduction to the EDGE® | What is the EDGE® and How Does it Work?