Mister
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TECHNOLOGY AND THE MODERN WAR
MAJ EDWARDO TORO
MAJOR, INFANTRY
INTERMEDIATE LEVEL EDUCATION
PHASE II
H100 ARGUMENTATIVE ESSAY
“Which of the military revolutions covered during H100 is the most important to how warfare is practiced today?
Karl Clausewitz’s theories of “fog and friction” are just as relevant today as they were when he initially used the terms in 1806. Many theorists debate the impact of technological advances will have on modern day war. Our technological superiority may, as Clausewitz suggests, make our strategic options seem obvious. Clausewitz describes friction as corresponding to factors that differentiate actual war from war on paper. One could just as easily replace the word paper with computer as a modern representation of war. However, no scientific formula will be developed to completely categorize all the options inherent in war. War has a human aspect that cannot be replicated by mere information technology. Some military strategists believe that the current technology age will lend itself to a revolution in military affairs (RMA). However, there are varying arguments as to whether effectiveness of these technological advances on modern warfare.
War cannot be reduced to a mere science that can be calculated by a computer program. There is a human dimension of war that requires individuals to use intuition to make decisions on the battlefield. Information dominance may lead to increases in the precision and lethality of future weapon systems but will never completely clear the fog of war. Decision cycles will be reduced through the use of information systems by facilitating more comprehensive and rapid intelligence gathering. The Military’s ability to interpret and disseminate intelligence will be greatly improved with technology. Peter McMaster, a freelance writer with experience on defense and technology issues, argues that technology will not be the deciding factor in future wars and encourages the...
MAJ EDWARDO TORO
MAJOR, INFANTRY
INTERMEDIATE LEVEL EDUCATION
PHASE II
H100 ARGUMENTATIVE ESSAY
“Which of the military revolutions covered during H100 is the most important to how warfare is practiced today?
Karl Clausewitz’s theories of “fog and friction” are just as relevant today as they were when he initially used the terms in 1806. Many theorists debate the impact of technological advances will have on modern day war. Our technological superiority may, as Clausewitz suggests, make our strategic options seem obvious. Clausewitz describes friction as corresponding to factors that differentiate actual war from war on paper. One could just as easily replace the word paper with computer as a modern representation of war. However, no scientific formula will be developed to completely categorize all the options inherent in war. War has a human aspect that cannot be replicated by mere information technology. Some military strategists believe that the current technology age will lend itself to a revolution in military affairs (RMA). However, there are varying arguments as to whether effectiveness of these technological advances on modern warfare.
War cannot be reduced to a mere science that can be calculated by a computer program. There is a human dimension of war that requires individuals to use intuition to make decisions on the battlefield. Information dominance may lead to increases in the precision and lethality of future weapon systems but will never completely clear the fog of war. Decision cycles will be reduced through the use of information systems by facilitating more comprehensive and rapid intelligence gathering. The Military’s ability to interpret and disseminate intelligence will be greatly improved with technology. Peter McMaster, a freelance writer with experience on defense and technology issues, argues that technology will not be the deciding factor in future wars and encourages the...