A recommended framework for the network-centric acquisition process

Abstract

Network-Centric Warfare (NCW) is a theory of war in the information age that hypothesizes that forces, which exploit networked conditions better than their adversaries, will achieve tactical advantage. Understanding how Network-Centric Systems (NCS) that support NCW are acquired is essential for the continued development and delivery of systems that are affordable, meet end-user requirements, and that can be fielded quickly. The Network-Centric Acquisition Process (NCAP) will enable the DoD to deliver NCS that are quickly fielded and that leverage the use of leading-edge technologies. The NCAP incorporates the systems engineering (SE) approach for system design, and also, maximizes the use of industry "best practices." The envisioned NCAP will use, among other things, a central repository of design information (including software, system drawings, etc.) that can be accessed, or pulled, by system development teams, and modified to support specific system needs. The NCAP will use an electronic business (e-Biz) marketplace portal where developers and consumers can be "matched-up" in order to share their products or make needs known, and where NCS evaluations are available for review by interested consumers. This thesis will clarify network-centric systems acquisition, and explore the benefits that the NCAP would provide.