Net-Enabled Command Capability

In August I gave a talk at the Australian Defence Force Academy in Canberra on "Podcasting for Network Centric Warfare". In this I suggested using web technology for the military, including putting web servers in jet fighters.

That sounded a bit far fetched, but I see US DoD's Standing Joint Force Headquarters (JSFHQ) have several proposals for such techniques (some items below).

What is a little worrying is that non-nation state groups could apply the same technology. Hezbollah are reported to have flown UAVs over Lebanon in the recent conflict. What makes these UAVs more than just large model aeroplanes is the computer technology on-board.

From "Israel shoots down Hizbullah UAV", By Alon Ben-David, Janes Defence Weekly, 9 August 2006:

The Israel Air Force (IAF) intercepted an Iranian-made Ababil unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) launched by the Islamic Resistance - the armed wing of the Lebanese Shi'ite Party of God (Hizbullah) - off the northern Israeli coastline on 7 August. ...

The Ababil has a maximum operational radius of 150 km, a maximum ceiling of 14,000 ft (4,268 m), the ability to travel at a maximum speed of 300 km/h and is capable of carrying a 45 kg payload. It has a surveillance configuration, carrying a camera and digital communications equipment, but also an attack configuration, carrying a high-explosive warhead that would be delivered by the UAV crashing onto a target.

Net-Enabled Command Capability (NECC) :

The Net-Enabled Command Capability (NECC) is the Department of Defense’s (DoD) principal command and control capability that will be accessible in a net-centric environment and focused on providing the commander with the data and information needed to make timely, effective, and informed decisions. NECC draws from the C2 community to evolve current and provide new C2 capabilities into a fully integrated, interoperable, collaborative Joint solution. Warfighters can rapidly adapt to changing mission needs by defining and tailoring their information environment and drawing on capabilities that enable the efficient, timely, and effective command of forces and control of engagements.

Global Information Grid (GIG):

The Global Information Grid (GIG) vision implies a fundamental shift in information management, communication, and assurance. The GIG system will provide authorized users with a seamless, secure, and interconnected information environment, meeting real-time and near real-time needs of both the warfighter and the business user. The GIG will use commercial technologies augmented to meet DoD's mission-critical user requirements

Core Services - Net-Centric Enterprise Services:

The Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) created the Net-Centric Enterprise Services (NCES) program to provide enterprise services in support of the Global Information Grid (GIG). NCES will provide Department of Defense (DoD) organizations ubiquitous access to reliable, decision-quality information through a net-based services infrastructure and applications to bridge real-time and near-real-time communities of interest (COI). NCES will empower the edge user to pull information from any available source, with minimal latency, to support the mission. Its capabilities will allow GIG users to task, post, process, use, store, manage and protect information resources on demand for warriors, policy makers and support personnel.