Joanna Szmelter and Shohaimi Abdullah
A new type of penetrator, the segmented projectile, has a great potential to be the future threat to modern armour. This paper describes the methodology currently chosen to allow for early design and study of the aerodynamic principles of the projectile system. In order to allow for fast turn around and flexibility in design and geometry, simplifying assumptions have been made in relation to otherwise very complex aerodynamics. The automatic trajectory prediction has been implemented into the computational fluid dynamics code and the resulting estimate of the mutual movement of segments is presented for a sample segmented projectile.
Darren M. Wilksch
This paper presents a discussion of the effects that transmission over error-prone media, such as a tactical satellite trunking system, has on the operation and performance of Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) and other protocols being transported by it. The possible approaches that can mitigate the effects of these errors are then summarised. This includes consideration of the techniques employed by two different commercial products that serve this purpose. Finally, a perspective is given on how these capabilities could affect battlefield communications.
Chris Howe
Military organisations must ensure that electronic warfare (EW) systems used by front-line units are correctly programmed with up-to-date EW information. To accomplish this vital task, an EW Operational Support Centre (EWOSC) facility is an essential requirement to facilitate the minute-to-minute management and dissemination of the relevant EW data in support of operational commands. This short paper introduces the concept of a traditional EWOSC and describes the design of databases to support such an organisation.
Brian I. Craig
This paper discusses techniques for overcoming two problems associated with detecting and classifying small targets in tropical environments on hot sunny days. The first problem is associated with ground-based imaging through a turbulent atmosphere, rising up from the sunlit hot ground. Of interest are ways of reducing the level of apparent shape distortion and motion, and blurred edges. The second problem is the daytime detection of targets in cluttered sunlit woodland. Targets dwelling in the shadows are obscured in scenes dominated by the sunlit foliage and sunlit ground. A method of filtered thermal imaging suppresses the sunlit and sun-heated features and provides a means of detecting thermal signatures of shaded objects.
Alan C. McLucas
Sound engineering design, careful component selection, and effective quality management are essential ingredients in the manufacture of reliable equipment. Unfortunately, assemblages of ‘reliable’ equipment can have disappointing reliability in service. Systems thinking, system dynamics modelling and simulation techniques are used to explain this apparent paradox. A satellite communications project is used as a case study to highlight a number of specific reliability prediction issues, and draw out general lessons in strategy development and decision-making.
