1. Network Centric Operations
Introduction to
Network Centric Operations
John C. Hsu,Ph.D.,P.E.

2. Net-Centric Operations (NCO)
This is now and future.
This is the technology and product in this century and beyond.

3. New “Paradigms” of Operating
We are in the Midst of Massive Change
Cyber, Information, Physical, Identity, Asset Security
Information as a Weapon/Competitive Advantage
Universal “Need-to-Share”
Knowledge Empowerment
New Threats & New Opportunities
New Ways of Thinking About Information
New Structures in SW Industry
New Era
Adaptation to a New Environment

4. Information Age We are:
drowning in information
immersed in data
surrounded by standalone information systems
starving for knowledge
Communication is as effective as the weakest link.

5. Information Dominance
The power of information dominance has been shown both in the battlefield and in the business world.
The organization with the right information at the right time will prevail, whether it’s in the military arena or in industry.

6. NCO is massive, complex and evolving
Industry feels the “Winds of Change”
– direction?
Legacy “Stovepipe” system companies are fearful of business reduction and searching for their future
– reduce uncertainty
New companies sense opportunities

7. Net-Centric Operations (1)
Net-Centric Operations (NCO) is an environment where collaboration between networks, systems (such as satellites, aircraft, or ships) or elements within systems (devices or components such as PDAs) is possible.
Systems are linked or networked by a common infrastructure, share information across geographic borders, and dynamically reallocate resources based on operational needs.
Net-Centric Operations (NCO) occur when systems are linked or networked by a common infrastructure, share information across geographic borders, and dynamically reallocate resources based on operational needs. Net-centric operations is an environment where seamless collaboration between networks, systems (such as satellites, aircraft, or ships) or elements within systems (devices or components such as PDAs) is possible.
Video

8. Net-Centric Operations (2)
Net-Centric is not just Network Technology: includes all elements of the network (technologies, infrastructures, nodes, systems,…..)
Network-Centric entails only infrastructure (LAN, routers, Cables, NIC cards,…..)

9. NCO Quotations
If one plus one equals three because of teamwork, then one plus one equals five when using teamwork supported by network-centric operations.
The power of the network is increased exponentially with each additional node. This is known as Metcalf's Law.

10. Benefits Enhanced situational awareness enables speed of command
Increase mission effectiveness
Time and agility
Rapid access to crucial information
Rapid and appropriate decisions
Location independence without knowing the physical location of nodes
Collaboration
Allow multiple participants; independent, interdependent or hierachical
Tightly-coupled or loosely-coupled
People/systems working together

11. Applications Assist the global Air Traffic Management.
E-Enabled Airline: Integration of airplanes, people and operations in a System-of-Systems environment.
Create Global Communications, Navigation, and Surveillance System (GCNSS) that can be used for Tsunami warning and other applications.

12. Application for NCO: Tsunami Early WARNING!

13. Supporting the Battlefield
Depicted here is a notional ad hoc network supporting the needs of a unit on the battlefield. NCO enables seamless transfer of information between multiple domains to enable increased situational awareness.
The initial request for information (indicated by the red links) can trigger a response from the network that engages air, sea, land and space-based resources to deliver the information the soldier in the field requires to complete his mission. The soldier may never know the source of the information he receives but can be assured the network is there to provide the best information possible. This concept of operations allows the proper command awareness (which may be remote such as on an aircraft or ship), efficient asset allocation to acquire the information quickly in the best format (possibly fused from several assets), and overall quick response to the soldier. The network also provides knowledge of the activity of the soldier and may trigger secondary events to provide assistance.
Video

14. Net-Centric Company
Information-enabled enterprise can maximize value creation and enable people to realize their potential
It will lead to lean infrastructure
It will be decentralized leading to efficient decision making
It will increase employee productivity
Employees can work anywhere/anytime
Employees can design anywhere / build anywhere
It will be 7 x 24 global operation

15. NCO Capabilities
Robustly networked via digital data links with the following capabilities
Sensing
Commanding
Controlling
Engaging
In NCO, capabilities for sensing, commanding, controlling, and engaging are robustly networked via digital data links. The increased power in an NCO environment is derived in part from the increased content, quality and timeliness of information flowing between the nodes in the network. The ability to access resources across domains increases this effect. This increased information flow is the key to enabling shared awareness, increasing the accuracy of the information, and acting decisively.

16. Network
Like the Internet, network centric nodes depend on each other to provide multiple streams of connectivity for the movement of information from point to point.
This enables them to interoperate and collaborate, even across domains
In real time, we collect and share data, turn that data into information and turn the information into knowledge.
Net-centric networks, systems or elements - referred to as nodes - use a common information and communication architecture. This enables them to interoperate and collaborate, even across domains. As more networks and nodes are introduced the environment becomes more robust, much like the growth and expansion of the Internet. An unprecedented enterprise environment is created where, in real time, we collect and share data, turn that data into information and turn the information into knowledge.

17. Move Data
Key to moving data through the network are software intelligent agents.
Software intelligent agents continually mine the network for information, piecing together clues and connecting the dots in all events.
Software intelligent agents act like a continually running search engine—like Google—with its engine revved all the time.

18. Interoperability
The interoperability between networks and nodes results in an increase in situational awareness allowing decision makers to make better, more informed decisions quicker and more accurately.
The nodes on a network share data and the resources that comprise the network to ensure that the right information gets to the right place at the right time.
The interoperability between networks and nodes results in an increase in situational awareness allowing decision makers to make better, more informed decisions quicker and more accurately. Whether operating under battle conditions, protecting our homeland, or managing an enterprise, this capability can change our world dramatically. The nodes on a network share data and the resources that comprise the network to ensure that the right information gets to the right place at the right time.

19. Common Architecture
Today's systems - space, airborne, maritime and land communications - are largely point designs that do not interoperate well, giving rise to the nickname "stovepipes" that reflects their standalone nature. These systems are often highly capable on their own; but their combined capabilities, augmented with data from disparate sources, could enable unprecedented capabilities. To move from the present "stovepiped" environment to a significantly more capable net-centric operation requires applying commercial investments in computing, communications, processing and networking that have at their core the objective to interoperate. Different systems will be able to achieve a minimum level of interoperability if they share common Communication Network and Information Architectures

20. Specific Skills Required for NCO (1)
Systems Engineering
Focuses upon the design of a complex platform that involves many individual systems.
The skills that have to be developed
System-of-Systems Engineering
Architecture Framework
Requirements and Functional Modeling
Other pertinent systems engineering skills

21. Specific Skills Required for NCO (2)
Large-scale Systems Integration
Organizational competency beyond design-oriented aspects and includes production and supplier management, etc.
Ability to manage many tasks that are needed to produce a solution that meets a customer’s needs
Networking Technologies
Network theory
Communication technology
Hardware

22. Specific Skills Required for NCO (3)
Software Development
Software intelligent agents
Continually mining the network for information and instantly recognizing patterns and correlation

23. Scope/Tasks (1) System-of-Systems Engineering (SoSE) Process
Understand the existing System-of Systems Engineering (SoSE) process.
Develop a robust SoSE Process that will be best supportable to network system development.
There is a need for more and better “synthesis” techniques that can produce more robust and balanced SoS solutions.
Integration of systems engineering and software.
SoSE Management
Develop SoSE Risk Management
Develop SoSE Trade Study mothodology
Develop SoSE Technical Performance Measurement
Develop SoSE verification and validation strategy

24. Scope/Tasks (2) Architecture Development Guidance (ADG)
Study the DoDAF, MODAF, etc.
Identify the insufficient areas in DoDAF, MODAF, etc.
Develop a robust ADG
A need to better-understood architectural principles and practices
Enterprise Architect considers hardware/software systems, political, economic, social, technological, ecological, and legal aspects.
Services Oriented Architecture
Focus on usability rather just on performance.
Users may be people and/or other systems.
Flexible enough to be not used by original architects and designers.

25. Scope/Tasks (3) System Architecture Reference Model (SARM)
On which architecture(s) a set of information and communication standards/interfaces can be built on the desired level of interpretability
Understand the existing SARM
Develop a robust SARM
Develop architecture building blocks to be reusable from one architecture to another
Systems development methods
Systems Engineering needs to become more model-driven. Collaborate with OMG and INCOSE OOSEM WG to support the robust modeling mothod that is best supportable to network centric systems engineering requirements development, functional analysis and allocation, system architecture development and specification generation.
Language enabling information exchange, such as, XML.

26. Scope/Tasks (4) Simulation and Modeling
Explore and develop the robust SoS modeling and simulation mothod that is best supportable to network centric systems engineering requirements development, functional analysis and allocation, system architecture development and specification generation.
In collaboration with other Simulation and Modeling Societies and Working Groups to develop the best yet SoS simulation and modeling to support the NCO performance analysis.
Operational Analysis/Concept of Operations
Collaborate with Operational Analysis Societies and Working Groups to explore and develop SoSE Concept of Operations.

27. Scope/Tasks (5) SoSE Standards SoSE Research and Education
Be a leader in developing SoSE standards.
He who fails to set the standards first is doomed to eventually follow standards set by others.
SoSE Research and Education
Focus on SoSE Process
Architecture modeling
International standardized educational methods and terminology

28. Scope/Tasks (6) Network Centric Systems Engineering Tools
SoSE Process tools
Systems Engineering work bench (suite of tools) with integrated database
Architecture modeling tools
Modeling and simulation tools
SoS life cycle cost estimating tool
SoSE Life Cycle Methodology
Develop SoS life cycle cost assessment method.

29. NCO Panel 1.6 Different Approaches to Realizing Net-Centric Solutions
The Performance-Centric approach by UK MOD
The Architecture-Centric approach by Swedish Defence
The Information-Centric by UK DoD
The commercial approach by CISCO
The best net-centric system

30. NCO Papers
3.3.1 Network Centric Operations Implementations in Several Domains
3.4.3 Systems Engineering Net-Centric Solutions: An Analysis of Different Perspectives
4.3.3 Applying Systems Modeling Language to A Simple Hardware System