Author Description

As the wave of future Information Technology makes its way into the construction and design of new ships and submarines, it is imperative to examine methods to thoroughly economically backfit older platforms with similar technology. Affordable, Commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) industrial products have provided us with a means to reduce miscommunication and exponentially increase the availability of information via small pen based computers operating on a wireless LAN. To take full advantage of the communications capabilities of these units and to fill the unique needs of the afloat Navy, the development of software applications is required. These software applications must be effective, tailored, and inexpensive if they are to be made available to older platforms. A JAVA based Internet is one solution. The simplicity and economy of web-based software coupled with the power and functionality of pen-based computers, creates a dynamic and effectual architecture.