Thomas P.M. Barnett :: Weblog

Clearly a networked type of organizational structure is a good for both counter insurgency (COIN) operations and other types of asymmetrical warfare. In the same manner a Network Centric Warfare (NCW) type of command and control (C4ISR) offers to be the most effective means to maintain contact with the individual battle and command nodes of this type of organizational structure. The DARPA developed Tactical [Information] Ground Reporting (TIGR) is the ground force equivalent of the U.S. Air Force Joint Tactical Information System (JTIS). Both systems are based on automated information sharing at the tactical level and both can serve as sub-systems of a fully operational C4ISR system. It is important however not to confuse a networked type of organizational structure with an NCW system. They distinct and independent although mutually complementary.

Our definition of technology leads us down the wrong path, to the point where Tom has to write a blog entry like this one.

We think of technology primarily as "devices," hence we have strategists like Dr. Krepinevich saying things like "we had superior technology in Vietnam, but the enemy wanted to play soccer, and we wanted to play football, and we ended up playing soccer."

Is a fancy camera in an airplane really superior to a rope in a tree that shields our view from the HCM Trail? In this example the enemy had superior technology--they used ropes in trees to shield view of movement from U.S. airplanes. Therefore, the ropes-tree-road-people flow mix of devices and processes were "superior technologies" to cameras in planes.

The odd set of arguments against NCW seen in recent months (for example, in Wired) uses an unhelpfully narrow definition of technology to lead some to write down the value of NCW. It is the opposite problem--NCW has never been stronger, its just we are realizing it means more than just a couple of computers wired together. It also means human skills described in the post, and the processes associated with quickly distributing the information needed for a convoy.

If we define technology as created competence as seen in devices, processes and acquired human skill, then we won't say, necessarily, that we have superior technology just because our gadgets seem pretty cool.