Will Network Centric Warfare Be The Death Knell For Allied Coalition Operations

The U.S. Navy is undergoing a shift in its focus from platform-centric to network-centric warfare in the coming century. Enabled by the recent advances in information technology, network-centric warfare connects widely dispersed platforms into a robust network capable of massing tremendous effects. Network-centric warfare will challenge the operational commander when planning allied/coalition operations in two major areas. The first is interoperability, which includes issues of technology compatibility, intelligence sharing, classified material security policy, language, and rules of engagement. The second challenge addresses the issue of command and control, specifically as national culture and subordination of forces affect it. The operational commander must determine the ability of coalition partner forces to be part of the network and assign mission tasks accordingly. As history has shown, coalition operations require significant leadership on the part of the commander and network- centric warfare is simply another factor to add to the challenge.