Cyberwar and Information Warfare: A Revolution in Military Affairs Or Much Ado about Not Too Much?
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Published: 1997
Total Pages: 34
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DOWNLOAD EBOOKThroughout recorded history there have been a number of major changes in the way wars are fought that have been related in some degree to changes in technology. Looking back on these changes, and at the changes that are being caused by the rapid advances in today's technology, many people assert that we are in the midst of a revolution in military affairs (RMA). The Department of Defense's Office of Net Assessment defines an RMA as "a major change in the nature of warfare brought about by the innovative application of technologies which, combined with dramatic changes in military doctrine, and operational concepts, fundamentally alters the character and conduct of operations. A study of history reveals, however, that technology does not, in and of itself, change the way armies conduct the business of waging war. Sudden alterations in the way armies conduct operations, introduced without testing and proof of their efficacy, can render an army incapable of fulfilling its basic purpose. When new battlefield technology is introduced, militaries typically approach it warily, retaining much of the old way of doing things to ensure a capability of meeting known or expected threats, or until the old way is shown to be incapable of coping with threats. This is not to argue against adopting new technologies, for armies must still prepare to cope with peer adversaries. But the modern army must keep a foot in both camps -- retaining the ability to deal with the known threat of technologically less advanced foes while preparing for the unknown. This paper discusses advances in the weapons and tactics of war made by Philip of Macedon, the Roman Empire, Charlemagne, Louis XIV, and Napoleon. Specific tactics/weapons discussed include the phalanx, legion, stirrup, crossbow, longbow, gunpowder, rifle, breechloader, levee en masse, telegraph, underwater cables, airplane, tank, railroads, atomic weapons, guided missiles, and information technology.
