A Network-Centric Operations Case Study: US/UK Coalition Combat Operations During Operation Iraqi Freedom

Abstract

The purpose of the Network-Centric Operations Case Study Series is to provide a coherent body of knowledge that both describes how networked organizations operate and identifies the critical factors for organizations to transform to enable network-centric operations. Network-Centric Operations are a central element of the Department of Defense's ongoing transformation and an emerging American way of war. Broadly speaking, network-centric operations are characterized by the ability of a networked organization to develop and exploit an information advantage to improve organizational performance. The concept of network-centric operations and the emerging network-enabled capabilities of U.S. and coalition forces were evident during Operations Iraqi Freedom. This case study, "US/UK Coalition Combat Operations during Operation Iraqi Freedom," describes how Coalition Forces were able to exploit the power of network-enabled capabilities to improve their operational effectiveness. Specifically, this study examines how U.S. and U.K. ground forces employed and exploited Force XXI Battle Command Brigade and Below (FBCB2)/Blue Force Tracker (BFT) in concert with existing C4 capabilities to conduct major combat operations. While the study demonstrates that FBCB2/BFT made a significant contribution to combat effectiveness, it also highlights disparities that existed between coalition forces in their ability to exploit the technology. It also underscores that it is not enough to field a new technology; units also must have time to train and develop tactics, techniques, and procedures to realize the full benefits of network-enabled capabilities. The Office of Force Transformation conducted this case study in collaboration with the United Kingdom's Ministry of Defense.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Mar 02, 2005
Accession Number
ADA457357

Entities

People

  • David Mawby
  • Greg Boehmer
  • Ian Mcdougall

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • C4I
  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Engineered Resilient Systems
  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Case Studies
  • Combat Operations
  • Command And Control
  • Command And Control Systems
  • Contingency Operations (Military)
  • Data Analysis
  • Information Exchange
  • Information Systems
  • Iraqi-War
  • Joint Military Activities
  • Military Operations
  • Network Centric Warfare
  • Organizational Structure
  • Radio Equipment
  • Voice Communications
  • War Colleges
  • Warfare

Fields of Study

  • Computer science

Readers

  • Enterprise Information Systems Architecture and Joint Command Capability Interoperability Support.
  • Military and Counterinsurgency Studies.
  • Systems Analysis and Design