This study examines three primary questions: (1) What is the definition of network-centric warfare? (2) Are the military services implementing the network-centric warfare concept? and (3) Is the network-centric warfare concept a new theory of warfare or rather a modification or extension of previous theories? To answer these questions various publications on network-centric warfare and the various military service transformation plans were reviewed. The definition of network-centric warfare developed is the linkage of people, systems, and platforms to form a self-synchronization networked force that creates shared battlespace awareness for information superiority and speed of command. A review of the services transformation plans showed that the services may not be using the same terms, but they are implementing the concepts of network-centric warfare. The study concludes that network-centric warfare is not a new theory of warfare, but a concept that supports maneuver theory of warfare similar to the concept of blitzkrieg developed by Germany prior to World War II. To emphasize the concept of network-centric warfare supports maneuver theory the term network-enabled warfare is suggested as a more appropriate term to be used, instead of network-centric warfare.

ADA 436488 Approved for public release; Distribution is unlimited. The opinions and conclusions expressed herein are those of the student-authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College or any other governmental agency. (References to these studies should include the foregoing statement.)