Human Systems Integration Report / In response to technological advances, Network Centric Warfare (NCW) emerged as a theory to leverage the technology available in todayâ s world. Advocates of NCW claim that technology will improve information sharing by â â µrobustly networking a forceâ , thereby improving mission effectiveness. This study proposes a methodology with which to test the first tenet of NCW: a robustly networked force improves information sharing. Lessons learned from Human Systems Integration (HSI) demonstrate that in order to improve mission effectiveness, characteristics of both the human and the technology must be considered. As such, the impact of human characteristics and traits on mission effectiveness, as measured by individual and team performance, are assessed using a computer simulation, C3Fire. Results at the individual level suggest that persons scoring high on extraversion and low on pessimism perform better than those scoring low on extraversion and high on pessimism. In contrast, at the team level, homogenous teams as measured by optimism-pessimism perform worse than diverse teams. Results of this thesis provide a methodology with which to examine NCWâ s claims in a laboratory setting. Preliminary evidence demonstrates the need to consider human characteristics and traits in the design and composition of network teams.

"This thesis will focus on the area of 802.20 wireless networking and how this technology will vastly benefit the US military forces, especially in the Network Centric concept of operations, where information flow is crucial. It will investigate this technology using published literature and previously gathered experimental data. This thesis will then relate its findings to Network Centric Warfare and the matters that could be most affected by this new technology." p. i.

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Thesis (M.S. in Systems Engineering)--Naval Postgraduate School, December 2009. / Thesis Advisor(s): Goshorn, Rachel E. Second Reader: Shebalin, Paul V. "December 2009." Description based on title screen as viewed on January 27, 2010. Author(s) subject terms: Systems engineering, systems architecture, network-centric systems, network-centric warfare, NCW, network-centric operations, NCO, information sharing, information discovery. Includes bibliographical references (p. 101-103). Also available in print.

ITC/USA 2007 Conference Proceedings / The Forty-Third Annual International Telemetering Conference and Technical Exhibition / October 22-25, 2007 / Riviera Hotel & Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nevada / We discuss how aspects of telemetry can be effectively incorporated and modeled as a component within network-centric operations and warfare paradigms. Telemetry is particularly vital in Air Force Flight Test and Evaluation. As such, this paper has a specific emphasis and provides discussion within this domain. We also present how an existing framework for networkcentric operations and warfare can be particularly beneficial to telemetry modeling, and discuss the potential insights and utility within this context.

ITC/USA 2008 Conference Proceedings / The Forty-Fourth Annual International Telemetering Conference and Technical Exhibition / October 27-30, 2008 / Town and Country Resort & Convention Center, San Diego, California / The current paradigm for data acquisition and recording systems for flight test applications does not meet today's demand for high reliability and timing performance. Such systems are better served through a network-based approach that can provide the capacity at which systems must acquire, record, process, and telemeter data. As with any complex system, this approach does have challenges. This paper describes the methods used to develop a network-centric flight test system, including simulators, IEEE 1588 time synchronization, network message protocols, and addresses the integration issues involved such as network topology and reliable latency-bounded throughput. Solutions used in overcoming these integration issues in previous system designs are also presented.

ITC/USA 2007 Conference Proceedings / The Forty-Third Annual International Telemetering Conference and Technical Exhibition / October 22-25, 2007 / Riviera Hotel & Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nevada / When network-centric flight test system components are developed concurrently, it is necessary to produce relevant simulated network traffic for exercising the network devices and other processing subsystems prior to system integration. Having an accurate and repeatable pattern of simulated network traffic is extremely important for debugging and subsystem integration. The simulated network traffic must be both representative of the real system and repeatable to aid test efforts. Our solution to this problem was to develop a model-driven network traffic generator – NETGEN. Using NETGEN to resolve errors, stress test, and verify requirements, we have achieved otherwise unattainable correctness, reliability, and success in our systems.

International Telemetering Conference Proceedings / October 21, 2002 / Town & Country Hotel and Conference Center, San Diego, California / Transducers have traditionally been incorporated into data systems by connecting the transducer to a signal conditioner that is then connected to a multiplexer with an Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC). The signal conditioning, multiplexer and the ADC are usually included within the same assembly that is called a Data Acquisition Unit (DAU) or an encoder. A network centric data system allows the same architecture to be used if the interface to the encoder is changed to be a network interface. However, a network centric architecture allows other options as well. The signal conditioning and ADC can be included within the same package as the transducer and the assembly can be interfaced to the network. When this is combined with the processing capability now available, a whole new range of possibilities present themselves. The transducer can now be digitally processed to provide a linear output, it can be converted to Engineering Units, digitally filtered or have a host of other functions performed within the housing that contains the transducer. However, the network centric approach does not produce these advantages without some disadvantages. The major problem that needs to be solved is how we time stamp the data. With the encoder we could time stamp the PCM frame and be able to determine the time that a sample was taken from that information. Even in systems that convert the encoder to have a network interface, the time stamp needs to be affixed to the data in the encoder. With a network centric approach, the sample can be taken in the transducer and how to time stamp it becomes a real problem. This is a problem that must be considered at the system level. Some method of making time available at a low enough level in the system to allow transducer outputs to be time stamped is either a network issue or it requires a separate interface.

This thesis explores the possible gains and discusses the constraints of a communications system that uses a ship to unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) radio frequency (RF) link paired with a UAV to satellite free space optic (FSO) link to accomplish satellite communications. Analysis shows that a data rate of 2 gigabits per second (Gbps) with a 1 . 10 probability of bit error can be attained by a shipboard system with a relatively small antenna and power supply if an FSO-enabled UAV is used. An experiment demonstrated that the addition of an FSO link and additional routing does not reduce the performance of a slower data rate RF link. The findings indicate that a composite RF and FSO ship-UAV-satellite system can be used within the Transformational Communications Architecture (TCA) and with the Navy's FORCEnet to enable network-centric operations (NCO).

This thesis will examine the potential of the two competing designs for the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS), with regard to potential deployment of this vessel type by the Turkish Navy. The first design is by Lockheed Martin and has been designated the USS Freedom as the U.S. Navyâ s first LCS. The second design is by General Dynamics. This thesis will focus on the LCS usage concepts in Naval Capability Pillars and Information Operations. As a transformation platform, the LCS will be critical in implementing new operational concepts and in providing a focused, littoral mission platform for joint forces. Its superior speed and maneuverability; low radar, infrared, and acoustic signatures; and ability to lay distributed sensor fields are all fundamental to mission success. It will also carry a â squadronâ of unmanned vehicles (air, surface, and undersea) that will considerably extend its sensor and weapon coverage and provide substantial Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) capabilities. This thesis will also discuss present and future platforms and their concepts of operation in Turkish littoral waters (Aegean Sea, Black Sea, and Mediterranean Sea).