Network Science: Observations from the Omni Fusion 2007 Digital Warfighter Exercise Simulation Experiment

Abstract

Net-centric operations depend on the development of coherent systems of interacting networks using rapidly evolving information technologies, doctrine, and training paradigms (National Research Council, 2005). To this end, research and experimentation are required to understand the organizational processes and procedures required to enable network command and control (C2). This paper details the application of network science to understand human network interactions in a recent command and control simulation experiment, the Omni Fusion 2007 Experiment/Digital Warfighting Exercise Block III simulation exercise (SIMEX). This paper describes research and analyses about the promulgation of situation awareness (SA) and understanding throughout a Division and subordinate Brigade organizations. Social network analysis (SNA) was used to help determine the structure of human relations and to express that structure in network form. The SA data collected and the results from the SNA, taken together, assisted in understanding organizational networks, networking technology capabilities, and intra-and inter-team processes facilitating the development of SA among distributed and collocated commanders and staff within the refined modular division.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jun 01, 2008
Accession Number
ADA486737

Entities

People

  • Jeffrey A. Thomas

Organizations

  • United States Army Research Laboratory

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • C4I
  • Engineered Resilient Systems
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Combat Operations
  • Command And Control
  • Communication Networks
  • Decision Support Systems
  • Department Of Defense
  • Doctrine
  • Engineering
  • Information Exchange
  • Information Operations
  • Information Systems
  • Information Warfare
  • Network Science
  • Networks
  • Simulations
  • Situational Awareness
  • Social Networks
  • Warfare

Fields of Study

  • Computer science

Readers

  • Computer Networking
  • Military Training and Readiness Simulation
  • Team-Based Human-Centered Cognitive Task Decision Making and Information Performance.

Technology Areas

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