The military application of the network centric concept is framed by Network Centric Warfare (NCW) which is an emerging operational concept based on the stated vision of future warfare in Joint Vision 2020. In the Information Age, does Network Centric Warfare concept provide a more effective means of achieving strategic ends in the land dimension of conflict than distributed maneuver? Based on the post cold war environment of global complexity, limited war, and technological advancement, NCW may be a better means of applying military force in the land dimension of conflict. In the agrarian age, classical warfare was executed in its highest form by Napoleon's pursuit of decisive battle. In this age, with detailed logistical planning and the evolution -of the army corps, Napoleon moved to fight against his adversary. His unique method of preparation with archivist, the directed telescope, and the Officiers d'ordonance allowed him to out think his opponent in time and space as evidenced by his victory at Jena Auerstadt 14 October 1806. In the industrial age, Lieutenant General Grant, conducted a premature version of operational art in the Vicksburg campaign. The development of industrial age technology such as the railroad, telegraph, and steamship allowed Grant the freedom to fight to move. By fighting to move on land and seas, Grant was able to out maneuver and out think the confederate forces in Vicksburg in May 1863. In the information age, information technology allows commercial companies to leverage a competitive advantage over other companies by making better decisions faster. The efficiency of commercial companies increases because networked systems provide faster access to more information through the technological advancements of information technology. The issue for military forces operating in the land dimension is the ability to leverage this advantage to gain effectiveness instead of efficiency. The first criterion, strategic flexibility, was defined as the ability to respond in time and space with the appropriate level of military force necessary to defeat an adversary in support of national aims/interests. The second criterion, operational effectiveness, was defined, as the ability to consistently provide the military capability to systematically impose the national will of the US in support of strategic objectives. The third criterion, perception management, was defined as the ability to maintain political and popular support in support of the application of military force. NCW appears to be the conceptual means of waging war in the information age. Once operational, NCW has the potential to provide kinetic and non-kinetic means in which to apply military force in the land dimension. Although NCW is technology based, NCW's ability to integrate the human interaction needed to solidify the connectivity of systems in the land dimension needs research, discussion and examination before practical utility can be employed. NCW is a means for applying military force in the information age but cognitive agility will always be needed to make it militarily effective instead of commercially efficient.

ADA 403856 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.)