The Zero Effect: The Impact of Network-Centric Warfare on Operational Planning

Abstract

The strength of a networked force is its ability to collect, understand, disseminate, and act on information faster than the opponent; allowing plans to be adjusted in real time and creating an agile force with which the slower enemy would have a hard time competing. Implicit in this is one critical assumption: the opposing forces will act in some way and friendly assets will observe this act. Quicker reaction to the enemy, enabled by the networking of combat units and shared awareness, represents a decisive advantage&once the enemy is engaged. While this is obviously a goal worth pursuing, it is more applicable at the tactical level of war than at the operational level. The ultimate goal of network-centric warfare should be the ability to modify an already established operational plan in near real-time, not to construct one. Parallel planning and execution is inherently reactive and is of great use at the tactical level but should not be used as the framework to plan at the operational level.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Feb 14, 2005
Accession Number
ADA464535

Entities

People

  • Nicholas E. Andrews Ii

Organizations

  • Naval War College

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • C4I
  • Materials and Manufacturing Processes

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Combat Forces
  • Combat Operations
  • Combatant Commanders
  • Command And Control
  • Contingency Operations (Military)
  • Department Of Defense
  • Employment
  • Information Operations
  • Iraqi-War
  • Military Operations
  • Network Centric Warfare
  • Organizational Structure
  • United States
  • Universities
  • War
  • War Colleges
  • Warfare

Readers

  • Military History / Militaries and War Studies
  • Team-Based Human-Centered Cognitive Task Decision Making and Information Performance.