The Crisis and Opportunity of Information War

Abstract

This monograph focuses on the possibility of defeating any and all enemies with an information-intensive force. Clearly, no one currently possesses this capability. However, in the intermediate and long-term, such a force may be within the reach of any post-industrial nation. This monograph explores why this is so, and identifies the major technological 'benchmarks' that must be achieved in order to enable a purely third wave force. Starting with the agrarian notion of the center of gravity, and continuing to the concepts of industrial systems, this monograph will briefly analyze the theories of each of the two preceding 'waves' to determine potential loci of decision. The monograph describes how information systems are starting to form around discrete technological benchmarks that, when eventually integrated, will form a 'knowledge engine' powerful enough to enable commanders to locate and attack the systemic weak point(s) of any enemy. Where possible, case studies will be used to show how this information technology is being used today. Each case study will contain reasonable estimates on where the particular technology involved is trending.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
May 06, 1994
Accession Number
ADA284756

Entities

People

  • Kevin B. Smith

Organizations

  • United States Army Command and General Staff College

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Autonomy
  • C4I
  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Human Systems

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Computational Science
  • Computer Networks
  • Computer Programs
  • Computers
  • Data Transmission
  • Databases
  • Information Systems
  • Local Area Networks
  • Military Organizations
  • National Governments
  • National Security
  • Natural Language Processing
  • Network Protocols
  • Network Science
  • Public Policy
  • Warfare

Readers

  • Economics
  • Military History / Militaries and War Studies