Navy details ForceNet future

The Navy will publish IT standards, processes and capabilities for command and control.

MONTEREY, Calif. — The commander of the Naval Network Warfare Command said service officials would soon publish a document that identifies information technology systems, processes and 15 capabilities to aid command and control of naval operations in the future.

Aimed at the year 2015, the ForceNet functional and operations concept will emphasize the importance of an IT technical systems architecture for the Navy and push officials in the service and the Marine Corps to co-evolve their command and control, said Vice Adm. James McArthur Jr., commander of the unit. He spoke Nov. 1 at the Milcom 2004 Conference, sponsored by AFCEA International.

Three-star admirals and generals in the Navy and the Marines will review the document due for release in December. It then will go for approval by Adm. Vern Clark, chief of naval operations, the Navy's top officer, McArthur said.

ForceNet refers to systems and processes for providing networked command and control of naval operations. McArthur oversees the operation and protection of the Navy's networks from the command's headquarters in Norfolk, Va.