Network-Centric Operations: Challenges and Pitfalls
Abstract
Network-centric operations (NCO) concepts and capabilities are central to Department of Defense (DOD) transformation efforts and are predicted by advocates to have wide-ranging impacts on the conduct of warfare and military forces. NCO concepts cover the entire military response to the Information Age, including ways of thinking, human and organizational behavior, and the networks the military uses across the tactical, operational, and strategic levels of warfare. In a broad sense, NCO is about harnessing networks and networked forces to create military advantages and capabilities. This paper first highlights the centrality of NCO to DoD transformation efforts by using examples from Joint Visions 2010 and 2020, the Office of the Secretary of Defense's Office of Force Transformation (OFT), and Service transformation documents to demonstrate the importance of NCO to DoD. Next, it examines NCO concepts to identify core characteristics and underlying capabilities levied on the supporting network. These sources of NCO thought come primarily from DoD authors; however, many other countries and alliances, including the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and NATO, are also interested in NCO-like concepts. The paper then analyzes several capabilities required of networks to determine some of the attendant requirements and challenges. This analysis includes potential impacts should networks fail to achieve the required performance or collapse under attack. These challenges are illustrated using examples from the author's experience on the CENTCOM/J6 staff during Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom (OEF and OIF). Finally, the analysis provides some recommendations to mitigate associated vulnerabilities introduced by relying upon networks and the promises of NCO.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 01, 2005
- Accession Number
- ADA463336
Entities
People
- Eric E. Silbaugh
Organizations
- Air War College