This thesis aims to provide a low-cost solution through integrating commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) technologies to produce a prototype of a "Tactical Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle UCAV" system that can be utilized by the front-line ground units in the near future. The Tactical UCAV is designed to enhance the information collection and autonomous precision strike capability of the ground units. The Tactical UCAV can also be deployed as sensor nodes as part of a larger global information grid in a networkcentric warfare operation. The proposed Tactical UCAV system is comprised of a Hunter Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (HUAV), which primarily carries high resolution sensors and communication devices and is used as a mother-ship for smaller "Killer UAVs (KUAV)." The KUAV carries a mission specific set of instruments; it can be a sensor or a warhead or both depending on the desired end results. After the target is acquired by the HUAV, the target information will be transferred to the KUAV. The KUAV can then be launched in close proximity of the target with the target position update from the HUAV. This thesis will focus on the development of a prototype KUAV and the integration of the prototype with the existing HUAV "Rascal" developed and operated by the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS). The KUAV and the HUAV will form the Tactical UCAV system. / Singapore Army author.

CIVINS / Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited / The objective of this thesis is to determine whether the Strategic Systems Programs (SSP) should apply the concepts of Performance-Based Service Acquisition (PBSA) to Strategic Weapons Systems (SWS) Technical Engineering Support (TES) Services. This thesis provides a Department of Defense (DoD), Department of the Navy (DON), and SSP SWS program acquisition and PBSA history background, reviews overarching PBSA policy and the DON PBSA implementation plan, defines a working PBSA model, defines Major Defense Acquisition Programs (MDAPs), details the SWS program structure, defines target SWS TES services, and reviews and analyzes SWS TES service contracts and associated PBSA implementation attempts. The thesis concludes that the complete conversion of SWS TES services to PBSA is neither practicable nor desirable and recommends that SSP (1) establish a Government-only multi-functional PBSA team to perform a review of existing TES services statements of work to determine potential PBSA conversion tasking, (2) team with its business partners to develop a PBSA conversion business case, and (3) contract for selected SWS PBSA TES services through the use of a Cost Plus Incentive Fee (CPIF) completion contracting approach with an aggressive share line and targeted performance incentives. / Department of the Navy author (civilian).

Thesis (M.S. in Systems Engineering)--Naval Postgraduate School, September 2009. / Thesis Advisor(s): Goshorn, Rachel ; Huffmire, Ted. "September 2009." Description based on title screen as viewed on November 5, 2009. Author(s) subject terms: Network-Centric, Weapons Systems, Systems Engineering, Security, Cryptography, Authentication, Espionage, Sabotage, Confidentiality, Integrity, Availability Includes bibliographical references (p. 75-78). Also available in print.

Thesis (M.S. in Engineering Science)--Naval Postgraduate School, December 1990. / Thesis Advisor(s): Lee, Yuh-jeng. Second Reader: Giannotti, B. B. "December 1990." Description based on title screen as viewed on March 30, 2010. DTIC Descriptor(s): Weapons, Simulation, Detectors, Decision Making, Defense Systems, Accuracy, Efficiency, Theses, Targets, Three Dimensional, Shipboard, Expert Systems, Systems Approach, Enemy, Timeliness, Battles, Naval Vessels(Combatant), Preprocessing, Decision Support Systems, Input. DTIC Identifier(s): Rule Based Systems, Decision Aids, Weapon System Effectiveness, Shipboard, KEE(Knowledge Engineering Environment), WSS(Weapon Suggestion System), Target Detection, Threat Evaluation, Naval Vessels(Combatant), Tactical Analysis, Theses. Includes bibliographical references (p. 74-76). Also available in print.

A survey of cost effectiveness methodologies used in the defense industry is presented and an application of cost effectiveness is developed. A breakdown in the level of the decisionmaking is made and follows the example of the Weapon System Effectiveness Industry Advisory Committee. Examples of cost effectiveness methodologies at each decisionmaking level are shown.

The United States is in the midst of an ambitious effort to build and deploy a wide range of ballistic missile defense systems. These ballistic missile defense systems will be effective against a host of current and postulated threats from ballistic missiles. In this thesis study, we explore the process of enhancing the effectiveness of weapon assignment for a system of systems. First, analysis of information is drawn from current proposed system of the ABM and its construction from the ground up. This research analyzes two ballistic Missile Defense System (BMDS), Aegis and Patriot respectively, their attributes, and their current and future roles in a Global Ballistic Defense Missile System. In addition, this thesis presents a software architecture for the ABM weapon assignment component module with object oriented design feasibility with integration as the key ingredient. This research contributed to highlighting some shortfalls in efforts to integrate capabilities and desired capabilities as the missile threat evolves and presents recommendations for follow-on research to improve ABM's weapon assignment capabilities.

Thesis (M.S.)--Air Force Institute of Technology, 2007. / "March 2007." "AFIT/GRD/ENS/07-01." "ADA466575"--URL. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 99-102). Also issued in paper format.

Thesis (M.S. in Joint Campaign Planning and Strategy)--Joint Forces Staff College, Joint Advanced Warfighting School, 2006. / "April 14, 2006." Electronic version of original print document. Includes bibliographical references (p. 64-65).

Thesis (M.S. in Systems Engineering and Analysis)--Naval Postgraduate School, December 2009. / Thesis Advisor(s): Paulo, Eugene. Second Reader: Rhoades, Mark. "December 2009." Description based on title screen as viewed on January 27, 2010. Author(s) subject terms: Systems integration, System safety, System-of-Systems safety. Includes bibliographical references (p. 51-52). Also available in print.

Thesis (M.S. in Contract Management)--Naval Postgraduate School, September 2003. / Thesis advisor(s): Jeffrey Cuskey, David Krueger. Includes bibliographical references (p. 89-91). Also available online.