Do We Make Interoperability a High Enough Priority Today?
Abstract
Recently, the Joint Chiefs of Staff voiced concern that JV 2020 will impact future multi-national operations. Because of the pursuit of technology on the battlefield, the US may be leaving her friends and allies behind, My hypothesis is that while there is definitely a technology gap between US force capabilities and that of our allies/coalition partners, the problems of multi-national interoperability go much deeper. In fact, given our National Security Strategy (NSS), the US must be prepared to "go it alone" into battle if ever called to do so, hence our high tech systems are critical to support our NSS. But, more than likely, we will fight future conflicts as part of a coalition, and hence to be best prepared for this likely course of future events, all the components of multi-national interoperability (training, policy, doctrine, personnel, materiel, logistics, support, and technology) must get higher priority billing for resources and support within the United States Government and with our allies and coalition partners. The United States this past year spent twice as much money on defense than the other members of NATO total. Some current major multi-national operation initiatives are the NATO-led multi-national operation systems architecture, and the Combined Wide Area Network managed by the Directorate of Command, Control, Communications, and Computers (C4). The JV 2020 appropriately addresses multi-national operations and future considerations that will allow the US to participate effectively in them. There are many technological initiatives underway that have been previously identified as gaps during multi-national operations. If we truly believe that we will not go to war alone in the future then what choice do we have but to make multi-national interoperability a very high priority today?
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 2002
- Accession Number
- ADA407282
Entities
People
- Michelle D. Schmith
Organizations
- Air Command and Staff College