Student Integrated Project / Includes supplementary material. / This thesis analyzed the Navy's proposed Riverine Force (RF) structure and capabilities of 2006. Systems Engineering and Analysis cohort 10 (SEA10) developed a cost-effective system of systems which increased battlespace awareness and situational responsiveness for 2010. Riverine missions were decomposed into their functional, physical, and operational architectures using the detect-to-engage sequence. This analysis determined critical RF functions. Critical functions detect and engage were then physically represented by feasible force package alternatives that augmented the baseline RF. SEA10 analyzed these alternatives using agent based models to identify baseline RF capability gaps and provide insights into possible solutions. Reduction of modeling data indicated the baseline force was as effective as some upgraded force packages depending on the measure of performance (MOP) or scenario structure under scrutiny. Sensor augmentation demonstrated significant improvements to baseline performance by increasing battlespace awareness. Weapon augmentation alone did not significantly improve baseline performance by increasing situational responsiveness. Combined sensor-weapon augmentation performed well across all MOP and scenarios. The Unmanned Surface Vehicle (USV) was the most cost-effective alternative. Dedicated helicopter support demonstrated the best performance overall, but was the most costly alternative.

The Coalition Operating Area Surveillance and Targeting System (COASTS) program is a joint project between the Naval Postgraduate School and the Royal Thai Armed Forces (RTARF). The program focuses its research on command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (C4ISR) uses for commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS), state-of-the-art, rapidly scaleable airborne and ground communications equipment, including various wireless network technologies. This research is being conducted in partnership with the RTAF to develop a network and associated devices and applications that potentially may help suppress drug trafficking in the northern Thailand border regions. Commensurately, the U.S. Navy is taking the Global War on Terror (GWOT) lead in coalition Maritime Security Operations and riverine warfare operations. With formation of the new Naval Expeditionary Combat Command (NECC), and its new Riverine Warfare Group, the Navyâ s role takes effect starting in January 2007, and could benefit from this research. This thesis focuses on testing and evaluating the overall performance of the MeshDynamics Multiple-Radio Mesh Modules, operating in the 802.11 wireless frequency spectrum. These modules are key building blocks of meshed networks that provide coverage over an area where riverine and coastal operations are being conducted. The network provides an information source and communications backbone for maritime, ground, and air assets. / US Navy (USN) author.

Thesis (M.S. in Defense Analysis)--Naval Postgraduate School, March 2004. / Thesis advisor(s): Anna Simons, George Lober. Includes bibliographical references (p. 61-64). Also available online.

Thesis (M.A. in National Security Affairs) Naval Postgraduate School, December 1994. / "December 1994." Thesis advisor(s): Jan Breemer. Includes bibliographical references. Also available online.

Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited / This thesis examines U.S. riverine warfare from an unconventional perspective in three Latin American countries to include: Bolivia, Colombia, and Peru. U.S. forces in particular NSW was (and remains) instrumental in helping these countries establish riverine units and an active presence on their rivers. These three different programs all have the same mission to deny the uncontested use of the rivers and inland waterways by narco traffickers and insurgent forces for the use of illegal activities. This thesis compares and contrast the three cases and garnishes lessons learned for future endeavors of the same. / Lieutenant Commander, United States Navy

Climate change will most likely cause marine ecosystems and human living conditions to change in the areas bordering on the sea, rivers and its delta. As a result of these changes with significant resource shortages, there are obvious risks that conflicts arise between peoples' groups or other spheres of interest. Conflicts in which Sweden, alone or most likely in an international context, may play a vital role in ensuring that the conflicts do not escalate. It would be a political prestige loss from a Swedish perspective not having the ability, despite the political intention, to be able to contribute to an international effort with the task of dampening or preventing an escalating conflict in a water-dominating area. To be able to operate in coastal environments such as rivers and its delta, the right capabilities and material are required. The scope of the study aims to describe how an amphibious unit capabilities and technical systems affect the outcome of a Riverine operation. The scope of the study is achieved through a qualitative text analysis of research reports, articles and literature that deals with Riverine operation as a concept. The theoretical framework consists of the first theory of military technology and the Swedish Armed Forces systemic-view. The analysis tool is derived from the concept DOTLMPFI. Doctrine, Organization, Training, Leadership and education, Materiel, Personnel, Facilities and Interoperability. The study's findings and conclusions indicate that a military unit’s capabilities and technical systems that enables it to work in an area over a longer period of time, in order to achieve the purpose of the operation, are factors for success. A part of this is the ability to use unmanned crafts, sensors and a flexible organizational structure that enables a situational awareness in a complex environment such as rivers and its delta. Furthermore, the degree of interoperability of the unit is something that will also affect the outcome of a Riverine operation as it, as a concept, usually involves other branches of the military and nations.