An evaluation of the need for local area networks at naval aviation squadrons and wings.

Abstract

In the 1990 's the Navy faces a new host of challenges. With decreasing defense spending it must find a way to keep its ADP hardware modern. The technological advances in computer technology of the eighties have left the Navy with a non- cohesive strategy for ADP procurement. The Navy spent millions of dollars buying thousands of new micro- computers for the desktops of its ships and squadrons. The nineties are a new decade but the constant development of new computer technology hasn't changed. Should the Navy continue to spend millions of dollars on these new technologies or should it keep on upgrading the computer assets it currently has? This thesis evaluates the Navy's need for one of these new technologies: Local Area Networks (LANS). Should the Navy upgrade its stand alone desktop micro- computers to networked computers or are stand alone desktop computers good enough for the Navy's needs of today and tomorrow? Is there sufficient benefit alone to justify this move to networked computers at squadrons and wings? It was found that Naval aircraft squadrons and wings are the backbone of the Navy's ability to project power. The installation of LANs at these units and the aircraft carriers that they deploy to can provide them with a vital boost in administrative productivity. Selection of LAN technologies should be done on a unit by unit basis. The emphasis of the selection criteria used should be to provide maximum compatibility, upgradablilty, security, and portability. Finally, There must be a central control group that monitors overall progress with LAN selection and installation.