Network Optional Warfare

Naval forces do not have to be engaged in constant centralized communication. Deployed Navy vessels have demonstrated independence of action within coordinated operations for hundreds of years.

Littoral operations, single-purpose ships, and unmanned systems pose a growing set of naval challenges and opportunities that can be exploited through communications stealth and tactical effectiveness.

Network-Optional Warfare (NOW)

Vulnerabilities arise for naval forces conducting constant communications due to lack of stealth and dependence on continuous data exchange.
"Radio silence" emissions control (EMCON) and judicious use of low-probability of intercept (LPI) communications can restore naval covertness and tactical surprise.
Data compression and a coherently defined signal book can enable fluid operations across NCW and NOW, aiding command autonomy and freedom of action.

Network-Centric Warfare (NCW)

“Seeks to translate an information advantage, enabled in part by information technology, into a competitive advantage through the robust networking of well-informed geographically dispersed forces.”
“This networking—combined with changes in technology, organization, processes, and people—may allow new forms of organizational behavior.”
Source: Network-Centric Warfare, Wikipedia

Operational View (OV-1) shows line-of-sight (LOS) optical signaling via Quick Reaction (QR) codes and Digital Flashing Light (DFL).

Only two EM-based lightning bolts!

Technology enablers for NOW include Efficient Messaging, Optical Signaling, and Semantic Coherence, three long-running areas of composable research work.

Overview Resources for NOW

These references describe tactical techniques, operational concepts, and strategic possibilities that emerge from regaining an asymmetric advantage.

Network-Optional Warfare: Concepts Exploration and Enabling Technologies slideset (.pdf, also synopsis). Includes thesis research opportunities
Network-Optional Warfare: Operational Concepts provides an outline list of component concepts of interest plus numerous relevant references.
Network-Optional Warfare: Information Transfer Considerations analyzes the transition space between always-on NCW and all-off NOW operations.
Network Optional Warfare: Overview Video (200 MB) produced for the NPS Littoral Operations Center (LOC) inaugural workshop, 24-26 March 2014.

Tactical Opportunities afforded by NOW

Stealth: gain deeper access into battle space, utilize inherent covertness of unmanned systems
Surprise: choose time and place to shift from passive to active use of electromagnetic spectrum
Coherence: formal mission brevity codes are actionable and precise with well-defined semantics
Uncertainty: reduced opponent confidence that force locations are known and attack is unchallenged
Flexibility: tactical commanders decide use of NCW/NOW on per-platform, per-mission basis
Scalability: incremental response using low-cost assets avoids destabilizing high-cost escalation
Autonomy : loosely coordinated command via Rules of Operation (ROO) and Engagement (ROE)

Contact

Don Brutzman, brutzman@nps.navy.mil voice +1.831.656.2149

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