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C4ISR architectures, social network analysis and the FINC methodology : an experiment in military organisational structure

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Abstract

This presents presents a simple testbed for experimenting with C4ISR architectures (based on a "SCUD hunt" scenario), the FINC (Force, Intelligence, Networking and C2) methodology for analysing C4ISR architectures, and some experimental results. The testbed allows exploration of different organisational architectures under a range of conditions. The FINC methodology allow the calculation of three metrics for every C4ISR architecture. Applying the FINC methodology to our testbed provides a partial validation of the methodology, as well as allowing us to derive four basic principles of C4ISR architectures.

Executive Summary

In responding to the Revolution in Military Affairs and rapid change in the modern strategic environment, it is important to utilise the best possible C4ISR architectures for the Australian Defence Force. Consequently, it is extremely important to evaluate the effectiveness of different C4ISR architectures. This can be done using the regular series of military exercises. However, these are not capable of examining the impact of technologies not yet in service. Wargaming is capable of examining such technologies, but both wargaming and real exercises have a substantial cost, and therefore there is considerable benefit in a low-cost methodology for evaluating C4ISR architectures, and selecting for further experimentation those which the methodology identifies as the best candidates. The FINC (Force, Intelligence, Networking and C2) methodology satisfies this goal. The FINC methodology allows the calculation of three metrics for every C4ISR architecture: the information flow coefficient measuring tempo superiority, the coordination coefficient measuring coordination superiority, and the intelligence coefficient measuring information superiority. Like all methodologies, the FINC methodology requires validation, and this report describes the first step in validating it. For this first step, we utilise a testbed (based on a "SCUD hunt" scenario) which is simple, yet allows us to explore the impact of different organisational architectures under a range of different conditions. Applying the FINC methodology to our experimental testbed allows us to derive four basic principles of C4ISR architectures, and an indication of which military organisational structures are appropriate for different tempo/information quality regimes. Our experiments indicate that at slow to moderate tempo with poor sensors, intelligence superiority (indicated by a high intelligence coefficient) is the most critical. At slow tempo with fair to good sensors, coordination superiority (indicated by a low coordination coefficient) is also important, and a highly centralised architecture (such as the use of highly centralised Air Tasking Orders by the US Air Force) performs well in this regime. At moderate tempo with fair to good sensors, tempo superiority (indicated by a low information coefficient) is also important, and network-cenbic warfare seems to perform well in this regime. At high tempo, coordination superiority is less important than intelligence superiority and tempo superiority, and taking time to achieve perfect coordination may be detrimental in this regime. Table (i) summarises these results. Table (i): Summary of Results (See Executive Summary in report) These results were obtained by analysing performance of different C4ISR architectures for our experimental testbed. Figure (i) shows two of the eight architectures examined. All eight architectures are defined in detail in the body of the report. Figure (i): Two Alternatives Architectures for Experimental Testbed (See Executive Summary in report)

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