Multi-day evaluation of space domain awareness architectures via decision analysis and multi-objective optimization

The US Government is the world’s de facto provider of space object cataloging data, but it is challenged to maintain pace in an increasingly complex space environment. This work advances a multi-disciplinary approach to better understand and evaluate an underexplored solution recommended by national policy in which current collection capabilities are augmented with non-traditional sensors. System architecting techniques and extant literature identified likely needs, performance measures, and potential contributors to a conceptualized Augmented Network (AN). Multiple hypothetical architectures of ground- and space-based telescopes with representative capabilities were modeled and simulated on four separate days throughout the year, then evaluated against performance measures and constraints using Multi-Objective Optimization. Decision analysis and Pareto optimality identified a small, diverse set of high-performing architectures while preserving design flexibility. Should decision-makers adopt the AN approach, this research effort indicates (1) a threefold increase in average capacity, (2) a 55% improvement in coverage, and (3) a 2.5-h decrease in the average maximum time a space object goes unobserved.

Simulation of chromatic and achromatic assessments for camouflage textiles and combat background

Chromatic and achromatic (AC) assessments of camouflage textiles have been critical to the defense researchers for concealment, detection, recognition, and identification (CDRI) of target signature against multidimensional combat background (CB). AC assessment and camouflage measurement techniques are simulated and experimented for assessment of camouflage textiles against CB. This model has been demonstrated for color measurement spectrophotometer, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), digital imaging, hyperspectral imaging, and image processing software (ImageJ) for the advancement and establishment of AC camouflage textiles assessment. The chromatic variations of 48 artificial target objects (TOBs) have been synthesized by image processing; the technique can be implemented for defense CB-CDRI assessment. Microstructural variation versus optical signal of woodland, desertland and stoneland CB materials have been elucidated by SEM magnification. The achromatic variation of CB materials have been demonstrated for the replacement of optical signal against modern remote sensing device to the imaging sensor. Color difference (Δ E), microstructural variations, pixel variations to imaging signal and standard deviation of CB materials have been represented for remote sensing surveillance of defense applications against TOB-CB-CDRI. Technical simulation of color, texture, gloss, and pixel intensity has been derived for AC-CDRI assessment of camouflage textiles in TOBs-CB environment.

Weight and configuration optimization of the launcher pod using finite element analysis

This paper deals with the stress analysis of the launcher pod based on optimization of its configuration and weight without compromising its strength and stiffness. The launcher pod assembly is a complex fabricated structure, which is subjected to a variety of dynamic loads during firing of rockets. A series of finite element simulations reveal the critical location of the pod for different loading conditions based on the stress magnitude, which helps to optimize its weight and configuration of the launcher pod. It has been observed that the optimized weight of the given launcher pod after modification of materials and configuration, with the provided materials, loading, and boundary conditions, is reduced by 36.27% (without launcher tubes and rockets) against the initial weight of the launcher pod.

Performance gains from adaptive eXtended Reality training fueled by artificial intelligence

While virtual, augmented, and mixed reality technologies are being used for military medical training and beyond, these component technologies are oftentimes utilized in isolation. eXtended Reality (XR) combines these immersive form factors to support a continuum of virtual training capabilities to include full immersion, augmented overlays that provide multimodal cues to personalize instruction, and physical models to support embodiment and practice of psychomotor skills. When combined, XR technologies provide a multi-faceted training paradigm in which the whole is greater than the sum of the constituent capabilities in isolation. When XR applications are adaptive, and thus vary operational stressors, complexity, learner assistance, and fidelity as a function of trainee proficiency, substantial gains in training efficacy are expected. This paper describes a continuum of XR technologies and how they can be coupled with numerous adaptation strategies and supportive artificial intelligence (AI) techniques to realize personalized, competency-based training solutions that accelerate time to proficiency. Application of this training continuum is demonstrated through a Tactical Combat Casualty Care training use case. Such AI-enabled XR training solutions have the potential to support the military in meeting their growing training demands across military domains and applications, and to provide the right training at the right time.

Past challenges and the future of discrete event simulation

The American scientist Carl Sagan once said: “You have to know the past to understand the present.” We argue that having a meaningful dialogue on the future of simulation requires a baseline understanding of previous discussions on its future. For this paper, we conduct a review of the discrete event simulation (DES) literature that focuses on its future to understand better the path that DES has been following, both in terms of who is using simulation and what directions they think DES should take. Our review involves a qualitative literature review of DES and a quantitative bibliometric analysis of the Modeling and Simulation (M&S) literature. The results from the bibliometric study imply that demographics of the M&S community are rapidly changing, both in terms of the nations that use M&S and the academic disciplines from which new simulationists hail. This change in demographics has the potential to help aid the community face some of its future challenges. Our qualitative literature review indicates that DES still faces some significant challenges: these include integrating human behavior; using simulation for exploration, not replication; determining return on investment; and communication issues across a splitting community.

Structure from motion with planar homography estimation: a real-time low-bandwidth, high-resolution variant for aerial reconnaissance

We propose a new algorithm variant for Structure from Motion (SfM) to enable real-time image processing of scenes imaged by aerial drones. Our new SfM variant runs in real-time at 4 Hz equating to an 80× computation time speed-up compared to traditional SfM and is capable of a 90% size reduction of original video imagery, with an added benefit of presenting the original two-dimensional (2D) video data as a three-dimensional (3D) virtual model. This opens many potential applications for a real-time image processing that could make autonomous vision–based navigation possible by completely replacing the need for a traditional live video feed. The 3D reconstruction that is generated comes with the added benefit of being able to generate a spatially accurate representation of a live environment that is precise enough to generate global positioning system (GPS) coordinates from any given point on an imaged structure, even in a GPS-denied environment.

On Maskirovka: the dynamics of delay in threat recognition

Across military Zweikampf and public health, error, blindness, and incompetence carry singular burden. Here, we adapt methods developed for the analysis of pandemic mismanagement to the study of armed conflict. Stability of control during such conflict depends on prompt recognition of, and response to, rapidly changing events. In addition to “conventional” Clausewitzian fog and friction, there are almost always inherent or induced delays to threat recognition. For a system to be stable without such delay, there will be a critical lag at which control fails, as it similarly does if institutional cognition sufficiently degrades. In such cases, tactical thrashing becomes manifest. In a military context, there is no way around such dynamics, which are routinely—often brilliantly—exploited.

The department of defense high performance computing modernization program

The Department of Defense High Performance Computing Modernization Program celebrates its 30th birthday in 2021. It was created to modernize the supercomputer capability of Department of Defense laboratories and test centers and continues to excel in that mission, providing hardware, software, networks and domain expertise. We describe the Program, the environment in which it was created, the people who helped bring it into existence, and future directions.

Aggregated space combat modeling

The use of aggregated combat modeling in the cislunar environment has been demonstrated to inform acquisition decisions for the United States Space Force (USSF). First, the cislunar space is hypothesized as a future strategic conflict environment. As such, Lanchester, Lotka–Volterra, and Brackney models could be appropriate to describe such conflict. All models encompass a system of differential equations which parametrically capture the dynamics between friendly and hostile forces. While the Brackney model was constructed to explain two-dimensional land battle, this article adapts it for the respective three-dimensional space domain and applies it to strategic procurement. The analysis demonstrates the pre-eminence of Space Domain Awareness (SDA) in certain contexts while recognizing conditions in which spacecraft survivability holds greater importance.