Paul J Hazell
A numerical study has been conducted using the explicit non-linear transient dynamic numerical code AUTODYN-2D to analyse the penetration and perforation of EN8 (AISI 1040) steel plate by the 5.56-mm L2A2 Ball round. The steel plate was heat-treated to two different hardness values and quasi-static tensile tests were performed to provide work-hardening constants for the Johnson-Cook constitutive model. A model of the bullet was developed using material data available from existing AUTODYN model libraries and parameters modified based upon the measured hardness of the bullet’s individual components. The numerical results compared favourably with experimental trials where the bullet’s residual momentum after target perforation was measured by means of a calibrated ballistic pendulum. The simulations provided some useful insight into the penetration mechanisms.
John J. Wang, Roy Bird, Bob Swinton and Alexander Krstic
Experimental and computational research has been conducted for conceptual design of mine-resistant boots. In the experiment an explosive charge generated a shock impact to a metal wedge supporting a steel surrogate leg. The impact load received by the leg was recorded via strain gauges. The effect of a number of factors such as standoff distance, wedge-angle and energy absorbing materials on the impact load was explored. It was found that the impact load is sensitive to the standoff distance but less sensitive to the change of the wedge angle. Use of honeycomb materials may reduce the impact load significantly. A Dyna3D finite element analysis was also performed. The modelling results were in close agreement with the measured results thus demonstrating the utility of the finite element method as a useful tool in the design and development of mine-resistant boots.
William S. Andrews, Edward A. Ough, Brent J. Lewis and Leslie G.I. Bennett
Over the past quarter century, depleted uranium (DU) has replaced tungsten alloys as the material of choice for penetrators in armour piercing rounds in some armies, as well as a being used as a supplement to steel in tank armour. The tendency for adiabatic shear failure to overcome work hardening, and increased ductility are attributed for the improved ballistic performance. The aerosolisation of a portion of the penetrator on impact creates a potential health hazard, particularly through ingesting resuspended aerosol particles. Bioassays of military and civilian personnel, who were potentially exposed to DU contamination, have failed to establish a link between DU and symptoms of “Gulf War illness”. In fact, increased DU body burdens have usually not been detected. Further, Canadian testing has not been able to identify elevated levels of DU or even natural uranium in urine, hair or bone samples of veterans.
Yan M. Yufik
The concept of Network Centric Warfare (NCW) is premised on three hypotheses: information sharing promotes shared awareness across the networked force, shared awareness improves collaboration and synchronization, and improved synchronization yields greater mission effectiveness, due to a greater speed of command, resource sharing, and increased lethality, survivability and responsiveness. This paper continues discussion of these hypotheses, focusing on awareness sharing and its precursor information sharing. By bringing to the fore combinatorial complexity inherent in command decision-making, the paper suggests that: information sharing, as conceptualized in network centric warfare, might depend on radical advances in communication technology; and awareness sharing might require equally radical advances in decision modeling and decision aiding. This paper outlines a model of commander decision making focused on representing and improving battlefield comprehension. The outline is followed by suggestions of how the model can be used to drive content delivery and ease technological demands in realizing NCW.
Sau Yee Yiu, Andrew W. Gill and Peng Shi
A model of civil violence has recently been built and studied by Joshua Epstein at the Center on Social and Economic Dynamics in the USA using a remarkably simple cellular automata (CA) simulation. However, the model and its analysis were based on the assumption that the entities have purely random movement, which limits the degree of realism of the model. The Australian Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO) has access to a more sophisticated CA simulation known as MANA, developed by the Defence Technology Agency in NZ. Recently, DSTO has developed a similar civil violence model to incorporate various movement strategies of the entities by using the MANA simulation. This paper describes the model and the analysis of the data, which included graphical, statistical and game theory techniques, and which provide some initial thoughts on the effectiveness of various strategies for managing civil violence. These results may also have applicability in other Operations Other Than War (OOTW) scenarios, including peace keeping and counter-terrorism. Finally, based on the analysis, two extensions to the MANA model are suggested.
Bjørn T. Bakken and Martin Gilljam
This paper is concerned with how to improve the training of higher-level military officers, given that the conditions for learning in “conventional” exercises (with a high degree of realism and complexity) are sub-optimal. From other applications (e.g., business and public management) we know that a key feature of effective decision training is high exercise frequency. Another requirement is for the decision-maker to see the full range of consequences resulting from his/her decisions. Both aspects require time compression in the training environment. We suggest applying the same principles when training military commanders, in a newly created concept termed Minimalist Decision Training (MDT). MDT is characterized by simplifying the commander’s operating environment, radically compressing time and space. In MDT, a typical two-day exercise can cover several repetitions of a thirty-day conflict and at the same time provide continuous feedback about the unfolding of the conflict, consequential to decisions made. To this date, we have tested prototypes of system dynamic models (“microworlds”) to be used as MDT environment at the Norwegian Defence Staff College as well as operational headquarters. The pilot users (instructors as well as student officers) have reported a high degree of satisfaction with the models as exercise environments. In particular, the operational relevance of a “high-intensity” model has been assessed. In a post-exercise survey participants indicated that eight out of ten suggested manoeuvre principles were believed to have substantial impact on operational outcome. We take these findings as evidence to support the view that the MDT concept is viable, and deserving further attention within research and development.
D. Adamy, EW 101: A First Course in Electronic Warfare, Artech House, Norwood, Massachusetts, 2001. Reviewed by Michael Ryan
Reviewed by Michael Ryan
