Joanna Szmelter, Nigel Davies, and Chung Kiat Lee
This paper presents simulations of initial velocity distribution of fragments for non-trivial shapes of casing in exploding shells, using a semi-empirical computational model. The key to the proposed approach is the use of transformation of a general geometrical shape to a hollow sphere followed by an application of Gurney principles in the transformed domain. The model is validated against an analytical model for a finite cylindrical charge bounded by a cylindrical shell and identical end-plates. A computation for 105-mm shell with steel casing and aluminium fuze illustrates aspects involved in reliable comparisons of fragmentation models against a standard trial data. Further, a simple and inexpensive experimental procedure based on a pin gauges measurement is described. Measurements obtained for short cylinders and an 81-mm mortar bomb are compared with numerical predictions. The described model responds to the need for an improved, fast assessment tool applicable to practical designs involving geometrically complex multi-material shells. The results highlight a requirement for quality experimental data obtained for complex shapes.
Teodor-Viorel I. Chelaru and Mircea Cernat
This paper presents a random calculus model for guidance precision, and evaluation of target hit and target kill probabilities, in the case of close range-homing missiles. Due to their non-stationary character, the guidance equations have been integrated by canonical separation and the results have been analyzed by comparison for various tactical situations. Observations about the influence of various parameters on missile performance have been formulated. The novelty of the paper resides in application of the theoretical method, from random functions theory, to solve the technical problem of missile guided-flight modelling, for which we obtained some interesting and useful results.
C. Kopp
The network centric warfare (NCW) model represents one of the defining trends in information age military technique. Its aim is to improve situational awareness and ‘accelerate the observation-orientation-decision-action (OODA) loop’. While much literature exists which extols the virtues of NCW, the problem of what constraints exist on the capabilities of such systems has been explored much less frequently. This paper identifies no less than fifteen constraints on the capability of networked military systems, implemented with tactical datalinks, and explores their respective causes and implications.
Ron Caro, John Quinn, Mark Flournoy
The purpose of this study is to describe the effects that a C4 (command, control, communications, and computer) knowledge management system (KMS) had on increasing the situational awareness (SA) level of network monitors maintaining a very large, dynamic, and complex communication network during wartime. This case study utilized triangulation and analysis of the multiple interviews, audiovisual material, archival records, and documents that formed the basis for the findings of this study. During Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF), the First Marine Expeditionary Force (I MEF) G6 developed an automated Marine Air Ground Task Force Communication Control Center Event Log (MEL), a web-based KMS that replaced the physical logbook to track communication network status for this large network that supported over 86,000 personnel over four months. The MEL enhanced SA, the sharing of information directly related to the operation of the communication network, as well as the sharing of tacit and explicit knowledge of system readiness. Limitations of the study revolved around collecting data in a real battlefield situation. Considering the unusual nature of the events, the results may or may not be replicated outside of simulations until there is another major military offensive. The findings reveal the practical benefits of automating physical logbooks. The results also shed light on behaviours of individuals within a network under situations of moderate and high stress. Overall behaviours of a community of practice under wartime conditions are revealed. This case study documents behaviours in the unusual context of an invasion of enemy territory. As such this research fills the gap between theoretical considerations of knowledge management and the practical and organic implementation of a KMS.
Charles M. StG. Kirke
This paper uses a social model to investigate the complex area of identity in the British Army with special reference to the Infantry at unit level. The model, created in earlier research, specifically to examine unit-level organizational culture in the British Army, conceptualizes four different shared bodies of ideas, rules and conventions of behaviour which inform groups of people or individuals how to organize and conduct themselves vis-à-vis each other. Various axes of identity are described, based on these four ‘social structures’, revealing a multi-faceted and dynamic set of social issues. This investigation confirms that the model is a useful tool with which to examine issues of identity entirely within units of the British Army, but where these issues connect strongly with aspects or people outside the unit boundary it is a less appropriate tool. Even so, the model can be useful in providing insights into the origins of the elements that contribute to constructions by unit members of outsiders as ‘the other’. This investigation implies that the model may be of use in systems engineering for British Army equipment projects (particularly with respect to the new Human Factors Integration Domain ‘Organizational and Social’), and in planning organizational change in the British Army.
Mubarak Al-Jaberi, Mark A. Richardson, John A. Coath, and Robin B. Jenkin
The theory for a laser sensor model was presented in Part I of this four-part series, followed, in Part II, by the creation of a simulation employing MATLAB and Simulink. Part III detailed the verification of the laser sensor theory and simulation by laboratory based experimentation. This fourth and final part of the series outlines the results of extensive field trials of real laser systems in the UAE and compares these with those of the simulator. This paper then briefly looks at how to incorporate the effects of atmospheric turbulence within the simulator and finishes with a brief parametric study using the simulator.
In January 2007, the Joint Staff issued Joint Publication 3-13.1 Electronic Warfare , which updated the previous joint EW doctrine contained in Joint Publication 3-51 Joint Doctrine for Electronic Warfare issued in April 2000.
