Casting Our Net: Can Network Centric Warfare and Multinational Operations Coexist?
Abstract: This paper is based on three assumptions: That the United States will develop Network Centric Warfare, that future military operations will involve allied and coalition partners, and that these partners will not be able to afford full implementation of network-centricity into their forces. Given these assumptions, can a Joint Task Force Commander integrate network-centric units and traditional forces and still accomplish his mission? An analysis of the basic tenets of Network-Centric Warfare (shared awareness, speed of command, self-synchronization, greater lethality, and increased survivability) indicates they are compatible with multinational operations. Through proper force allocation, mission assignment, procedural considerations, and technological adaptations, a Joint Task Force Commander will be well served by an integrated force that can meet the required objectives.
