Alan J. Dyer
This article provides a framework for managing knowledge gaps in a decision-making context. Understanding the concept of managing knowledge gaps is harder than understanding the concept of managing the knowledge, which is more tangible. Such a task is made simpler, however, by acknowledging the different sets of skills needed, allowing organisations to allocate, develop, or exercise appropriate processes (within recognised frameworks of content, strategy and infrastructure). Importantly, the adoption of a common framework, while not necessarily changing how business is conducted, allows knowledge managers to communicate clearly, removing ambiguity that may occur when using natural language. After discussing the contextual issues, this paper discusses the characteristics of content gaps, ways to express these gaps, ways to express the strategy gaps, and ways to express the infrastructure gaps. Finally, an example is presented in a commercial context.
Mubarak Al-Jaberi, Mark Richardson, John Coath, and Robin Jenkin
Theory for a laser sensor model was presented in Part I of this four-part series, followed in Part II by creation of a simulation employing MATLAB and Simulink. Verification of the laser sensor theory and simulation must be tested using experimentation and it is in this paper that construction and testing of the hardware necessary for this task is detailed.
Jean Fortin, Eric Thibeault, and Ghislain Pelletier
The decision of the Canadian Army to move toward lighter vehicles with increased mobility and less conventional armour has stressed the need for the development of better detection and countermeasure systems to improve survivability. Recent work made at Defence Research & Development Canada (DRDC) has demonstrated the effectiveness of a second-generation Defensive Aids Suite (DAS) prototype against simulated threats including LBR, target designators, range finders, and missile plume simulators. The goals of the project were to develop a DAS prototype including a multi-function laser capable of laser dazzling, decoying, and jamming to augment the countermeasures suite available to the crew of a vehicle. This project was undertaken as part of the DRDC Future Armoured Vehicle System Technology Demonstration (FAVS-TD) program. The project succeeded in demonstrating a multi-function laser capability and its operation with a second-generation DAS demonstrator. The DAS prototype is an ideal platform to study the survivability of land vehicles in realistic operational scenarios.
Eric Thibeault, Jean Fortin, and Ghislain Pelletier
As laser and laser-guided weapons are becoming less expensive and more available around the world, methods to defeat this class of threat need to be investigated to improve the protection of military platforms and assets. A laser decoy is an attractive choice as it can be deployed in a timely manner and accurately. Additionally, there is a potential to integrate this technology with a minimum of hardware changes. Even if the technique is quite simple, a variety of parameters needs to be optimized to decoy successfully an incoming laser-guided weapon. Although this paper does not provide the recipe to develop an effective laser decoy system, it introduces an escalating method to test the effectiveness of laser decoys. Four levels of testing are introduced with a discussion showing the strengths and limitations related to each of these levels. The test levels vary in complexity of set-up and degree of realism associated with them. Finally, this paper discusses briefly the development and test methods used by Defence R&D Canada Valcartier (DRDC Valcartier) in the development of laser decoys.
Gregory C. McIntosh and Michael K. Lauren
This paper describes a genetic algorithm (GA) tool added to the MANA agent-based model to assist with scenario development. Squads of agents are given chromosomes consisting of genes made up from various personality weightings in the MANA model; the emphasis is on evolving clever tactics and behaviour given the weapons and equipment squads already have. Concepts from evolutionary biology such as gene recombination and mutations are then applied to evolve fittest squads to optimally defeat an enemy in a given MANA scenario. We demonstrate the GA tool using two examples: a simple shooting battle between two massed forces, and a reconnaissance/counter-reconnaissance scenario in which a small Blue squad attempts to locate a high value target within enemy territory. Communications links in the MANA model are utilized for the information sharing, thus highlighting issues of network enabled operations. Generally, the genetic algorithm is seen to be a useful addition to the toolkit of military modelling techniques based on complexity theory.
Harvinder S. Sidhu, Geoffry N. Mercer, Mary J. Sexton, and Nadeem A. Ansari
Minimizing the risk of detection in a hostile environment is a fundamental requirement of all military operations. Often the trajectory of a vehicle is dependent on other factors such as maximum travel time, fuel usage, and the like, which provide constraints on determining the optimal path of the vehicle. The risk to the vehicle is from detection and subsequent action by enemy forces. Often this detection is from radar. Here we investigate the single vehicle path planning problem to minimize radar exposure. We formulate the problem in a continuous way and present numerical results for a single threat radar. We also show how our approach can be extended to include a second threat radar. By extending our approach we believe that a feasible technique to determine the optimal path in a threat environment consisting of a network of multiple threat radars can be obtained, perhaps even undertaken by on-board systems.
Richard Mountford
L. Tobin and M. Iremonger, Modern Body Armour and Helmets: An Introduction , Argos Press, Canberra, 2006.
