AUTOMOTIVE

The discussions regarding network-centric warfare and operations have been many, yet the keys to global success remain to be resolved: * Determining how to assure security and work with allies around the world * Providing knowledge vs. more data * Shifting to the "industry after next" to enable network centric operations * Testing and training for in-field network centricity. The NetCentric Conference & Exhibition will address each of these issues, from the eyes of the global and systems leaders, providing vital information for military CIOs, commanders, transformation leaders, executives leading integrated systems divisions, think-tank leaders, program managers, and acquisition & supply managers. "It is time to meet, debate and bring mission focus to the meaning of network-centric operations, an issue defined by some as the most important factor in national security planning since the demise of the Cold War," said Aviation Week Executive Vice President/Publisher Kenneth E. Gazzola. Keynoting the session will be Admiral Edmund P. Giambastiani, Jr., Supreme Allied Commander Transformation and Commander U.S. Joint Forces Command; and Arthur K. Cebrowski, VADM USN retired, Director, Force Transformation in the Office of the Secretary of Defense. "This conference is not just a platform to discuss systems or technology," points out Carole R. Hedden, conference chair and Aviation Week Managing Editorial Director, "rather; this forum will turn theory into reality and investigate how things work and what's needed next." At the top of the agenda are discussions and panels addressing how the network has performed in Iraq and the next steps required to further the transformation process in our military services. "Now, in one place and time, industry and government will sit together to jointly review what's working and what isn't in terms of industry transportation, deploying the network into the hands of soldiers, and enabling the network on an international basis," emphasized Hedden. Registration details are available at www.AviationNow.com/conferences or by calling 1-800-240-7645 or 1-212-904-3892. Registered attendees at the NetCentric Conference & Exhibition are automatically registered at no cost to attend The McGraw-Hill Companies Homeland Security Summit & Exposition that will be co-located at the Washington Convention Center during the same June 2-4, 2004 time period. Day one opens with VADM Cebrowski addressing Tactical Operations in the Network-Centric Battlefield at 9:15 a.m. on Wednesday, June 2. Admiral Giambastiani's remarks precede a panel discussing 21st century interservice war fighting operability, what's working, what isn't and bridging the digital divide between countries. His remarks kickoff day two on Thursday, June 3, at 9:15 a.m. Opening day sessions include a 1 p.m. panel moderated by Jacques Gansler, former Under Secretary of Defense and now Chairman of the National Defense Industries Association Task Force on Industry Transformation on the topic "The Industry After Next: Operating in a Networked World." Providing insight will be the two authors who wrote the study entitled The Industry After Next, Andrew L. Ross, Professor of Strategic Studies and Director of Studies and Peter J. Dombrowski, Associate Professor, Strategic Research Department, of the Naval War College. Additional sessions will address training, integrated simulation, data mining, migration of legacy systems, acquisition policy in a transformation environment, technology sharing and international interoperability.