Network Centric Warfare: A Bridge Too Far?

Abstract

Network Centric Warfare (NCW) is viewed as the bedrock of transformation and future warfighting (i.e. common operating picture flattening command and control by connecting strategic level commanders to tactical level warfighters). However the moral domain of conflict having been largely ignored by NCW advocates will in all likelihood prohibit its successful implementation at the lowest level of warfighting; the tactical level. Therefore in future conflict the author believes that it is this domain the moral domain that if not completely understood and taken into account will limit if not prevent the full potential and exploitation of Network Centric Warfare as envisioned by its advocates. This research paper is relevant to the strategic operational and tactical levels of warfare in that NCW is clearly a major pillar in the quest for transformation of United States military forces. If the human dimension is a single point of failure in Network Centric Warfare then the NCW concept needs to address this issue and identify the relationship and human interface required to successfully achieve and propel this future capability from a concept in its present form to a reality in its application.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
May 16, 2003
Accession Number
ADA419368

Entities

People

  • Mark G. Cianciolo

Organizations

  • Naval War College

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • C4I
  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Human Systems
  • Space
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Command And Control
  • Command And Control Systems
  • Department Of Defense
  • Information Operations
  • Information Systems
  • Intelligence Surveillance And Reconnaissance
  • Military Operations
  • Military Organizations
  • Military Personnel
  • Network Centric Warfare
  • Precision-Guided Munitions
  • Situational Awareness
  • Surveillance
  • United States
  • War Colleges
  • Warfare

Readers

  • Maritime Combat Support and Expeditionary Logistics.
  • Systems Analysis and Design

Technology Areas

  • Fully Networked C3
  • Fully Networked C3 - Command and Control