Accession Number:

ADA191780

Title:

Automation: The Commander's Key to Victory in the AirLand Battle or another Source of Friction,

Descriptive Note:

Corporate Author:

ARMY COMMAND AND GENERAL STAFF COLL FORT LEAVENWORTH KS SCHOOL OF ADVANCED MIL ITARY STUDIES

Personal Author(s):

• Pennypacker, William S.

Report Date:

1987-11-30

Pagination or Media Count:

53.0

Abstract:

This monograph examines the effect on the division command and control system of developing automation. As twentieth century war has gained in complexity, the U.S. Army has attempted to improve the means available for tactical command and control. A major part of that effort has been the incorporation in recent years of automated command and control devices in the Army Tactical Command and Control System ATCCS. This paper asks what will be the impact of the emerging automation technology on the division commanders ability to command and control the division in battle The monograph seeks to answer that question through the following methodology. It first examines the theoretical basis of tactical command and control. Having established a foundation, it reviews the evolution of divisional command and control from World War II to the present. It next describes current U.S. Army doctrine for tactical command and control, recent developments in the Army Tactical Command and Control System architecture, and the structure of the automated Maneuver Control System. Finally, recent experiences with the Maneuver Control system are reviewed to illustrate the benefits and drawbacks of automation to the division commander. The paper concludes that automation will be an essential tool in the AirLand Battle. Without its ability to provide information management for decision support, the division commander cannot effectively employ his forces in depth on the battlefield.

Descriptors:

• *AUTOMATION
• *COMMAND AND CONTROL SYSTEMS
• *TACTICAL COMMUNICATIONS
• *BATTLES
• ARCHITECTURE
• BATTLEFIELDS
• CONTROL SYSTEMS
• DATA MANAGEMENT
• DECISION MAKING
• DEPTH
• DIVISION LEVEL ORGANIZATIONS
• FRICTION
• INFORMATION SYSTEMS
• MANEUVERS
• MILITARY COMMANDERS
• MILITARY DOCTRINE
• SOURCES
• WARFARE

Subject Categories:

• Command, Control and Communications Systems
• Military Operations, Strategy and Tactics

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE