Transformation: growing role of sensor networks in defense applications

Abstract

The Department of Defense (DoD) is undergoing a transformation. What began as theoretical thinking, under the notion of a Revolution in Military Affairs (RMA) is now beginning to manifest itself in a “Transformation.” The overall goal of the transformation described in Joint Vision 2020 is the creation of a force that is dominant across the full spectrum of military operations. The warfighting concept that will allow us to achieve Joint Vision 2020 operational capabilities is Network Centric Warfare (NCW). NCW is no less than the embodiment of an Information Age transformation of the DoD. It involves a new way of thinking about how we accomplish our missions, how we organize and interrelate, and how we acquire, field and use the systems that support us. It will involve ways of operating that have yet to be conceived, and it will employ technologies yet to be invented. NCW has the potential to increase warfighting capabilities by orders of magnitude, and it will do so by leveraging information superiority. A major condition to success is an infostructure that is robustly networked to support information collection, sharing and collaboration; which will require increased emphasis on sensor research, development and implementation. DARPA is taking steps today to research, develop and implement those sensor capabilities. The Multi-Body Control program is a step in that direction.