state of METOC information and its sources and limitations. Analysis of this information will help the reader develop a sense of the existing METOC process and the key components of that process that the committee thinks could be modified to improve efficiency. Chapter 4 lays the groundwork for implementing changes to key components of the METOC system by focusing on uncertainty, the cost of uncertainty, and approaches to reduce both. Chapter 5 discusses the ramifications for expanded consideration and communication of uncertainty by implementing key network-centric concepts. Finally, Chapter 6 summarizes and categorizes the Committee’s findings and recommendations in a manner that reflects the degree to which each is readily exploitable given planned and ongoing activities related to METOC or battlespace awareness.⁵

It was impractical for the committee to be exposed to all the programs and systems currently being developed to support U.S. Naval Forces. Thus, it is possible that many of the concepts discussed in this report are already being suggested, considered, or even implemented in some way or another. If the discussion in this report provides an impetus for deliberations, or if new concepts are evaluated and subsequently discarded in the face of more lengthy examination, the committee will believe its efforts have been worthwhile.