The Role of Information Warfare: Truth and Myths.

Abstract

The rapid growth in information technologies has generated three myths of information warfare: omniscience, obsolescence of armed forces, and information itself as a new center of gravity. Unfortunately, this obscures the true role of information technologies in better integrating information at all levels of warfare as well as creating an enhanced capability in synthesizing information with the better placement of ordnance on target. Information thus serves as a force multiplier and is best seen as a critical strength or vulnerability dependent upon the ability to exploit any information differential that may exist between opposing forces. At the same time, information technologies have had a pronounced effect upon the operational commander by enhancing and limiting mission planning, necessitating more complex information filtering, and through altering the commander's ability to execute a mission in a decentralized manner.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 01, 1996
Accession Number
ADA307348

Entities

People

  • Jeffrey A. Harley

Organizations

  • Naval War College

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Center Of Gravity
  • Filtration
  • Gravity
  • Information Systems
  • Information Warfare
  • Munitions
  • Obsolescence
  • Vulnerability
  • Warfare

Readers

  • Military History / Militaries and War Studies
  • Systems Analysis and Design