Critical Vulnerability of Technological Dependence: A Culturally Driven Phenomenon.

摘要

Multiple conflicts and consistent multinational interaction has unequivocally shown the United States military to be the best trained and equipped force in the world. Through the integration of satellite and computer technology, another description has also followed: technological superiority. Through multiple iterations of upgrades, the military has embraced this trait and placed emphasis on maintaining and increasing this superiority by leveraging multiple technologies. The technology that stood out more than any other was the derivative of satellites. The military currently relies on satellites for many crucial technologies to include: global positioning systems, satellite communications, unmanned aerial systems, imagery collection, and missile defense systems. Unfortunately, as the technology has emerged, so too has an underlying dependence. This monograph contributes to an understanding of the government's and society's role in perpetuating this dependence. The lens of System Theory enables an understanding of the system consisting of strategic culture, societal culture, and military culture. The relationships between these, seen through their self similarity and feedback loops, have created the ultimate perpetuation. To prove this point, three separate technologies were analyzed: unmanned aerial systems, satellite communications, and global positioning systems. The three cases showed consensus that strategic and societal culture play a pivotal role in the continuing dependence on satellite technology. Both exhibit influence over the military and each other creating strong bonds. If the emerging well-buffered system is merely identified and not countered the dependence may become a critical vulnerability.