Network Centric Warfare: A Realistic Defense Alternative for Smaller Nations?
Abstract
This thesis establishes an analytical framework for identifying and discussing strategic factors considered important when implementing Network Centric Warfare (NCW) as a new warfighting concept for the information age. Although the findings have a broad application, the focus is on NCW implementation in the NATO Alliance's small countries, and in Norway in particular. A key question is if the emerging NCW concept is a feasible defense alternative for smaller nations. Central to the study are factors found in the strategic environment, such as Norway's strategic freedom of maneuver, its affiliation with NATO, the impact of national interests, economic and technological assumptions, and the cultural premises that underlie the power of information. The changing features in the nature of conflict and in future potential opponents also will influence NCW mission challenges, opportunities, and constraints. A particularly important mission challenge is the neglected military view of low-intensity conflicts as "worthy" military missions as well as the sociological impact on networked actors and opponents, as conditioned by new trends in the information age. A key finding is that NCW, which also takes into consideration the impact of other strategic factors discussed in this thesis, has the potential to rise to the many challenges and achieve many of the objectives currently "floating" in existing military transformation strategies. (2 tables, 12 figures, 86 refs.)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 2004
- Accession Number
- ADA424706
Entities
People
- Jan Berglund
Organizations
- Naval Postgraduate School