Network-Centric Framework for Engineering Future Naval Platforms

摘要

Advances in technology, particularly information technology, have led to the potential for new ways of organizing and commanding forces on individual and networked naval platforms. The Navy's operational concept envisions a 'powerful, fast striking, geographically dispersed force that exploits information superiority to rapidly overwhelm its adversaries'. This is 'Network Centric Warfare'. It is a fundamental shift from a platform-centric focus to a network-centric one. A new approach is required for future ship design in order to deliver the right capabilities - platforms, sensors, weapons, information access and management, and decision support- to the warfighter. In this paper the elements of a generic end-to-end information framework are proposed in terms of a network centric warfare concept. The specific example described is precision engagement (Joint Vision 2010) involving the detection, identification, and attack of mobile land targets. System element relationships are described using a simplified decision making process framework: sense - interpret - decide - act. The proposed precision engagement framework is explored in the context of total ship engineering. Challenges are identified in achieving the vision of a ship, engineered to be part of a total network centric force; naval, joint or coalition.