Defense Transformation and NetworkCentric Operations Short Course

1
Defense Transformation and Network-Centric
Operations Short Course

• Dr. Richard Kugler
• Director, Transformation Short Course
• Distinguished Research Professor, NDU-CTNSP
• March 22, 2006
• Marshall Hall 155A

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Goals

• Develop a strategic perspective a sense of the
  whole
• Impart knowledge and analytical insight on
  transformation and network-centric operations
• Take stock of transformation since 2001, assess
  impact of QDR 2006, and appraise future through
  2020

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Method

• Method
• Fourteen lecture modules on relevant topics
• Active student participation and dialogue
• One classroom exercise

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Agenda

• Day 1
• Defense Transformation and Network-Centric
  Operations A Strategic Perspective
• Day 2
• Applications of Network-Centric Operations From
  Combat to Disaster Relief
• Day 3
• Additional Defense Transformation and NCO Issues

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What is transformation?

• Officially launched in 2001, but began in the
  1990s
• More than modernization and recapitalization
• NDU-CTNSP definition
• An ongoing process of making major changes in
  U.S. military forces in order to create major
  improvements in capabilities for new-era
  operations.
• Maintains competitive advantages
• Reduces risks and threats
• Creates new principles and rule sets
• Enhances capability to achieve political-military
  effects and goals

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Ingredients of transformation

• Information networks that create shared
  awareness, improved decisions, and better
  performance
• Joint force operations, agile forces, portfolio
  posture
• New weapons systems, technologies, sensors, and
  munitions
• New force structures, operational doctrines,
  logistic support systems, and mobility forces
• New military cultures, belief systems, and
  attitudes-- people

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Historical Legacy of Transformations

• World War II
• German transformation for 1940 blitzkrieg was a
  success British and French failed
• U.S. military transformed under fire in WWII
  success in air and navy mixed success on ground
• Cold War
• U.S. nuclear buildup of the 1950s success and
  failure
• Vietnam era Powerful force lost war to a
  determined adversary
• Reagan era Introduction of new weapons,
  structures, and doctrines greatly improves U.S.
  military
• Sets stage for Desert Storm victory through
  precision bombing and ground maneuver offensive

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Requirements of Successful Transformation Today

• A family of good ideas for all services plus a
  capacity to join them together to form a cohesive
  whole
• A capacity to match ideas from the supply side
  (e.g. new technologies) with requirements from
  the demand side (e.g. new international threats)
• A sense of implementation strategy that blends
  ideas from the near-term, the mid-term, and the
  long-term
• A willingness to experiment and innovate, while
  keeping valuable legacy assets
• A focus on effects and outputs -- mission
  performance

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Sources of Current Transformation

• QDR 2001
• Switch from Threat-Based Planning to
  Capability-Based Planning
• 1-4-2-1 formula for force allocation
• Six goals for transformation and Transformation
  Planning Guidance
• Joint Vision 2020
• Focus on Joint Expeditionary Warfare for
  Full-Spectrum Dominance
• Subsequent documents develop new operational
  concepts
• Service Roadmaps
• Establish key concepts, structures, weapons, and
  networks
• War on Terrorism and 9/11
• Requires transformation under fire in Afghanistan
  and Iraq
• New CENTCOM Oplans
• Post-Combat Challenges

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Impact of QDR 2006

• QDR 2006 continues transformation, but announces
  new departures and priorities
• Fighting the Long War
• Elevating Joint Capabilities of Forces
• Carrying out a Complex Defense Strategy
• Developing better interagency and multilateral
  capabilities
• Transformation off to a good start
• Multiple new information networks being created
• A long way to go in multiple areas
• Successful procurement of new weapons will be key

11
Future Transformation Challenges

• Continuing pursuit of full-spectrum joint
  operations
• Elevating procurement budget at a time of slowed
  growth in the defense budget
• Establishing priorities between expeditionary
  missions and high-tech strategic dominance
• Today, transformation requires, stabilization,
  reconstruction, and similar missions
• Not just acquiring new war-fighter networks and
  weapons