NETWORK CENTRIC OPERATIONS

Network Centric Warfare (NCW) has emerged as defining concept of Information Age Warfare by networking Sensors, Decision Makers and Shooters to maximize combat effectiveness. Enhanced effectiveness, as envisaged in the NCW concept, is the product of shared awareness that is derived from seamless integration of all entities in the battle-space

Seamless integration of sensors, weapons and decision makers is contingent upon two, essential components; a Common Operating Environment (COE) and Mission Applications built in compliance with laid down Inter-Operability Standards.  As services around the world move into the Networked Operations era, there is a requirement for core, software tools and applications which have the flexibility to adapt to different operational requirements, existing C2 systems, existing sensors and existing communications equipment.  These tools must have the inherent capability to support a transformation to a fully NCW environment by having the power and flexibility to integrate with future systems while reflecting the inevitable operational changes.  In addition, they need to be open, rather than proprietary and to be developed in conjunction with the operators to reflect unique national concepts of operations.

Intaero has focused on the information grid which unites sensors, weapons and the users, recognising that it need so accommodate current and future technology and be able to operate over any communications medium. 

For many services, the information grid must function securely and effectively where there is no access to established networking technologies such as Link 16 and the NATO Common Operating Environment or where access within a coalition is through a gateway to a national information highway.

One of the challenges facing a service moving towards a networked operation is to understand the new operational concepts which NCW brings and to capture these new requirements to be turned into mission applications.  One way is to buy a proprietary, off the shelf software which has been designed to be, at best, a generic set of capabilities.  The other is to use an open, national capability built in-country through partnerships and technology transfer which initially reflects current operations while having the flexibility to easily change and update to reflect the inevitable changes that NCW requires to achieve it's full potential.

Intaero is approaching these challenges by leveraging our experience gained with the development of data storage, open data links and command and control applications into a new, Common Operating Environment and associated mission applications.  At the heart of this development is use of our proven SMART C4i software, which is a real-time, decision support, software tool developed by Intaero and refined over 10 years of operational trials and operational service. 

In addition to meeting the requirements of a number of mission applications such as air defence and fighter controlling, SMART is an ideal tool for operational requirements capture and rapid prototyping in a networked environment.  It is fully featured and has the flexibility to be quickly updated to reflect changing concepts of operation.  SMART can also be used to create an awareness of the benefits of NCW operations through simulation and modeling.