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CHAPTER 21
NETWORK-CENTRIC WARFARE:
LEVERAGING THE POWER OF INFORMATION
Jeffrey L. Groh
. . . the general unreliability of all information presents a special problem in war: All action takes place, so to
speak, in a kind of twilight, which like fog or moonlight, often tends to make things seem grotesque and larger
than they really are.
Whatever is hidden from full view in this feeble light has to be guessed at by talent, or simply left to chance.
So once again for lack of objective knowledge one has to trust to talent or to luck.
Clausewitz
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What is all this fuss about network-centric organizations? Is Network-Centric Warfare an
“emerging theory of war” or just about technology? Is it possible to harness the power of information
to gain a signicant advantage in the operational environment? Scholars, politicians, appointed
government ofcials and warghters are lining up to take sides on the utility of information
sharing and networking U.S. military forces.
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The business community continues to grapple with
knowledge management, business process management, information technology (IT), and enterprise
networking to gain a competitive advantage in the market place.
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There is a plethora of literature
documenting how IT is enabling innovation in business as well as the military.
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It is time to continue
the dialogue and raise the awareness of the benets of network-centric operations as an enabler to
gain a competitive advantage over current and potential adversaries in the 21st century. If we agree
that Clausewitz is correct about the unreliability of battleeld information, could Network-Centric
Warfare concepts and capabilities improve this situation? The Department of Defense (DoD) has
decided to pursue an aggressive policy to develop network centric warfare (NCW) capabilities as a
“source of warghting advantage.”
This chapter argues that DoD is on the right track to pursue advanced integrated information
technology to enable warghting in the future. This chapter does not argue that information systems
and technology are the panacea to solve all the complex issues associated with warfare in the 21st
century. This chapter begins with a brief discussion of the fundamental concept of network-centric
warfare and the current Department of Defense policy for networking the force. Then, the chapter
will investigate the potential of information and knowledge sharing on the battleeld to provide a
competitive advantage against potential adversaries. There are tactical, operational, and strategic
implications
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to sharing information and networking the force within the operational environment.
This chapter would not be complete without addressing a few of the most prevalent arguments by
those who caution against relying on information technology and networking. The nal section will
outline a few recommendations to proceed with the implementation of network-centric warfare.
Network Centric Warfare (NCW): Developing a Concept.
It should not be a secret that the world is squarely in the age of information. One only needs
to view the nightly news, scan the newspapers, or pick up the latest technology books and trade
journals to understand the magnitude of corporate investments in information systems. “Worldwide,
