Battlespace Technologies: Network-Enabled Information Dominance Unabridged Edition

I started writing this book several years ago as a project for my company as an easy-to-understand overview of network enable warfare and associated technologies. Having read quite a few complicated `technical’ books from various sources, I found that it was often possible to be none the wiser about the application of the technologies and how the various concepts and characteristics of the systems and their interactions had an impact on the overall network design. The book was therefore written from the outset to enable readers to really get a feel for the concepts, technologies and applications, and avoid complicated formulae that leave little appreciation of the `art’ of the subject. Working closely with Artech House throughout the production process we’ve produced what I hope will be an authoritative source which is visually easy to digest, and highlights key concepts at a glance.

I am hoping that the `easy to read’ style, which is accompanied by over 400 photos and illustrations, will find a ready home amongst people such as engineers, managers and military staff and journalists at all levels who need to have an appreciation of an increasingly complex subject matter without having to read thick technical books to gain an appreciation of the subject.

Modern warfare is increasingly dominated by electronic technologies that aim to give the commander in the air, land or sea environment, a complete understanding of the disposition and intentions of friendly and opposing forces distributed across the battlespace through what is termed `Information superiority’. Information superiority and information dominance is essential in achieving the overall control of the battlespace and virtually all other successful military outcomes.

The book is divided in to several key Chapters. Chapter 1 gives an overview of the role of information in modern warfare and looks at how information-related capabilities have changed the face of warfare and will continue to do so in the years ahead. Chapter 2 looks the principles of network enabled warfare and describes how data, information and knowledge is gathered and created and shared across multiple collaborating networks and how understanding of these principles can deny information superiority to opposing forces. It describes the processes involved in military decision-making, the interaction between the key military areas of command, control, communications, computing, intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance, along with a description of different types of networks and their characteristics, how different networks interact, and the challenges of network security. Chapter 3 then moves on to look at the applications of such technologies and networks in more technical detail. It describes the characteristics of datalinks and networking, communications protocols, the electro-magnetic environment and data fusion principles and how sensors disseminate information in a timely and relevant manner to the decision makers across the battlespace. The final chapters looks forward to some of the emerging technologies and describes how current progress will continue to challenge our thinking about modern warfare.

In summary, the book aims to bring to life the concepts of network-enabled warfare and how the many sensors and decision-making processes are woven together to achieve information superiority as well as de-mystifying what can be a complex and difficult to access area of battlespace technology.

Richard S. Deakin is the chief executive officer of National Air Traffic Services (NATS). He was previously senior vice president of Thales Group s Air Systems Division and Managing Director of Thales UK s aerospace business. Richard Deakin has over 20 years of experience in the aerospace and defense industry working for major companies, including BAE Systems, TRW Aeronautical Systems and GKN Aerospace Services. He holds a first class degree in aeronautical engineering, an MBA. from Cranfield School of Management, and a HonDEng in engineering from Kingston University.