Realizing the network-centric warfare vision: network technology challenges and guidelines

An expanded and improved information technology capability is the fundamental heart of the network-centric warfare (NCW) vision. The NCW vision is worthy and is a direct path to achieving improved collaborative power and information dominance. The potential benefits of diverse information sharing and interconnection are manifold, but at the same time difficult to fully predict and quantify. Moreover, along with unforeseen benefits, additional concerns often arise with technological enhancements to information sharing and access. We consider several sources of 'friction' working against achieving the NCW vision, we outline the technical challenges that must be met to overcome this friction, and we make some suggestions in progressing towards a set of solutions.