Technology's Impact on Command and Control: How Much Does the Operational Commander Need?
Abstract
Today's operational commander faces a daunting task. The increased complexity of the battlefield is changing the way we fight wars. Americans have frequently looked to technology to solve their problems, and command and control is no exception. Current systems are far better than those of a few years ago. As technology advances at an ever quickening pace, command and control systems strive to keep up. This rapid advance has a tendency to focus our attention on the systems themselves, rather than the command process. There are those that envision a day when future war fighters will sit in the Pentagon basement, select targets, and destroy them. While having that advanced technology is certainly advantageous, it eliminates the leadership of the operational commander. Another disadvantage of relying exclusively on technology to solve all our problems is that frequently, 'demonstrated capability' is tested in a sterile, controlled environment. The end users often find that capability is less robust than advertised. Although technology will be a part of our future, operational commanders must use it to complement their leadership skills, not replace them.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 19, 1997
- Accession Number
- ADA328120
Entities
People
- Lawrence Rice
Organizations
- Naval War College