Thesis (Ph. D.)--RAND Graduate School, 2005. / Includes bibliographical references.

As the role of technology within warfare continues to increase, it is important to investigate whether or not the consequences of these weapons are being adequately considered. The use of new weapons technologies, such as Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicles and Precision Guided Munitions, have been both praised and condemned within the war in Afghanistan. Although praised as saving civilian lives due to the precision capabilities of the weaponry there are consistent civilian deaths attributed to these weapons systems. This study examines debates regarding new weapons technologies that have been utilised during the war in Afghanistan. Current literature regarding emerging weapons technology is examined in order to identify key debates. The literature was recognised as falling predominantly within three perspectives - strategy, law and ethics. By identifying the key debates within each perspective it is possible to identify where these debates overlap or diverge. This research concludes that the introduction of counterinsurgency strategy to modern warfare has led to an increasing concern with the ethical and legal dimensions of the debate surrounding new weapons technology.

Thesis (M.S.)--School of Advanced Air and Space Studies, 2008. / "June 2008." Vita. Includes bibliographical references (p. 58-63). Also available via the Internet.

Spring dead spot (SDS) is the most destructive disease of bermudagrass (Cynodon spp.) in Virginia. SDS infects bermudagrass in the fall with symptoms appearing in the spring when dormancy breaks. Patches are sporadically distributed but generally reoccur in the same location. Chemical control options are expensive with inconsistent results. Our objectives were to develop SDS incidence maps, investigate methods to analyze these maps, and evaluate suppression efficacy of incidence-map-based chemical applications. Methods were developed to build SDS incidence maps in 2016 and 2017. 2016 SDS incidence maps were compared for spatial accuracy to Digital Orthophoto Quarter Quadrangle (DOQQ), ground-validated differential GPS coordinates, and to 2017 SDS incidence maps, with average deviations of 1.3 m, 1.6 m, and 0.1 m, respectively. Digital Image Analysis (DIA) of aerial maps was compared to a point-intersect method for validation with a significant linear relationship (r2 = 0.77, P ≤ 0.0001). In the fall of 2016 and 2017, a site-specific penthiopyrad (SSP) treatment was evaluated against blanket, full-coverage applications of penthiopyrad (BP) and tebuconazole (BT), and an untreated control. Treatments were compared using DIA, post-treatment SDS patch count (PC), and SDS patch reduction (PR). Across all three metrics, the penthiopyrad treatments were statistically superior to both the tebuconazole and untreated. SSP compared favorably to BP for DIA, but BP had 2.57 fewer PC (LSD = 2.05) and a greater PR by 2.58 (LSD = 2.55). SSP using SDS incidence maps required 51% less fungicides in 2016 and 65% less in 2017 when compared to BP. / Master of Science in Life Sciences / Spring dead spot (SDS) is one of the most devastating diseases of bermudagrass in Virginia. Bermudagrass is utilized as a playing surface on golf courses and sports fields. During the fall, when the bermudagrass is preparing for winter dormancy, SDS can infect and reduce the turf’s cold tolerance. As a result, dead patches are present in the spring of the year. SDS ruins the integrity of playing surfaces and is slow to recover. The objectives of this research were to develop SDS incidence maps, investigate methods to analyze these maps, and evaluate site-specific chemical applications to control SDS, based on historical incidence. We developed methods for building SDS incidence maps in 2016 and 2017. Maps were evaluated for spatial accuracy as well as their ability to differentiate SDS from healthy bermudagrass. Digital Image Analysis (DIA) was used to calculate SDS coverage. DIA utilizes pixel color values to distinguish SDS from healthy turf. In the fall of 2016 and 2017, a site-specific penthiopyrad (SSP) treatment was evaluated against two full-coverage, blanket fungicides in penthiopyrad (BP) and tebuconazole (BT), as well as an untreated control. These programs were analyzed and across three metrics, DIA, Patch Count (PC) and Patch Reduction (PR), the penthiopyrad treatments were statistically superior to both the tebuconazole and untreated. SSP compared favorably to BP for DIA, but blanket applications were statistically superior when analysis by PC and PR. SSP required 51% less fungicides in 2016 and 65% less in 2017 when compared to BP.

Johan A. Warden tog fram sin modell om motståndaren som ett system för att genom denna hitta dess svagheter. Modellen visade sig vara mycket användbar inom mellanstatliga konflikter och var mycket effektiv vid planerandet och genomförandet av USA:s offensiv mot Irak under inledningen av Gulfkriget. Men kopplat mot irreguljära konflikter har Wardens modell stött på mycket kritik då den anses spelat ut sin roll och därför inte längre kan anses applicerbar vid planerandet av luftoperationer inom denna typ av krigföring. Denna uppsats skall se om det är precisionsvapen och användandet av dessa som räddar kvar Warden inom planeringen av luftoperationer inom irreguljär krigföring. / John A. Warden developed the Five ring model and the enemy as a system. These models where used as a tool to find the enemies weak points. These models proved useful in a conventional conflict, and where very effective during the planning and execution of Operation Desert Storm. In recent times Wardens theories has been a subject of a debate, stating that they have played out there role as an effect of irregular warfare. This essay is going to try to see if it is precision-guided munitions that save Wardens theories in the fields of modern air-warfare planning in irregular warfare.

The field of guided projectile research has continually grown over the past several decades. Guided projectiles, typically encompassing bullets, mortars, and artillery shells, incorporate some sort of guidance and control mechanism to generate trajectory alterations. This serves to increase accuracy and decrease collateral damage. Control mechanisms for smart weapons must be able to withstand extreme acceleration loads at launch while remain simple for cost and reliability reasons. One type of control mechanism utilizes controllable internal translating masses (ITM's) that oscillate within the projectile to generate control forces. Several techniques for using internal translating masses for smart weapon flight control purposes are explored here. Specifically, the use of ITM's as direct control mechanisms, as a means to increase control authority, and as a means to protect the smart weapons sensor suite are examined. It is first shown that oscillating a mass orthogonal to the projectile axis of symmetry generates reasonable control force in statically-stable rounds. Trade studies examine the impact of mass size, mass offset from the center of gravity, and reductions in static stability on control authority. Then, the topic of static margin control through mass center modification is explored. This is accomplished by translating a mass in flight along the projectile axis of symmetry. Results show that this system allows for greater control authority and reduced throw-off error at launch. Another study, aimed at examining shock reduction potential at launch rather than static margin alteration, also considers ITM movement along the projectile centerline. In these studies, the ITM is comprised of sensitive electronic sensors, and is configured as a first-order damper during launch. Trade study results show that although the mechanism cannot substantially reduce the magnitude of launch loads, it is successful at dampening harmful structural vibrations typically experienced after muzzle exit. Finally, an active control system is developed for the ITM control mechanism using sliding mode methodology. Example cases and Monte Carlo simulations incorporating model uncertainties and sensor errors show that ITM control of projectiles can substantially reduce dispersion error. Furthermore, the novel sliding mode control law is shown to be highly robust to feedback disturbances. In a final study, combined ITM-canard control of projectiles is explored, concluding that ITM mechanisms can serve as a useful supplement in increasing the efficiency of currently-deployed control mechanisms.

This paper examines how precision resources, such as Precision Guided Munitions (PGM) and Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), can affect the OODA loop decision making cycle. PGMs add precision and force to kinetic strikes, whilst UASs bring precision and endurance to the Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) field. The research is conducted as a qualitative case study with two cases - the first one being Operation Desert Storm (1991) where precision weapons were first introduced in a large scale operation, and the second one being Operation Iraqi Freedom (2003) which was conducted in a similar environment and organization, but with a huge technological advancement when it came to PGMs and UASs. The four phases of the OODA loop are examined separately, and the two cases are compared to reveal any similarities or differences. The results indicate that precision resources have a beneficial impact on the speed and accuracy of all four phases, as well as the overall efficiency of the OODA loop. The results also indicate the importance of having sound intelligence (which cements John Boyd’s claim that Orientation is the most important part of the loop) and that the next challenge after precision and ISR-capabilities might be successful coordination of the joint forces on tactical and operational levels to gain speed even further.

Approved for public release, distribution is unlimited / Commander, Logistics Group, Western Pacific (COMLOGWESTPAC) is concerned with the delivery of high priority material, ordnance, and passengers to U.S. Navy ships due to a very large operations area and limited Combat Logistics Force (CLF) assets. High-speed vessels (HSVs) may have the potential to improve the delivery of these materials when used to complement existing logistics shuttle ships. This thesis quantifies current levels of traditional naval logistics support and provides comparison to HSV-based alternatives in various scenarios. The CLF Scenario Analysis Tool (CLFSAT), a newly developed discrete event simulation model of naval logistics support, performs the analysis. Given a scenario depicting combatant movements and operations, CLFSAT provides insight into the comparative performance of different supporting naval logistics force structures. This analysis determines that HSVs can be effective logistics platforms in specific scenarios when distributing high priority material, ordnance, and stores. HSVs are very effective in small theaters with short transit distances, but for larger theaters, their effectiveness is inversely proportional to distance from the Forward Logistics Site. Regardless of theater size, HSVs show significant improvements in theater distribution of "low density, high priority" cargo, such as precision guided munitions (PGMs) or critical repair parts when customers are outside COD range. / Lieutenant Commander, United States Navy