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Effects Of Dynamically Weighting Autonomous Rules In A Uas Flocking Model, Jennifer N. Kaiser Sep 2014

Effects Of Dynamically Weighting Autonomous Rules In A Uas Flocking Model, Jennifer N. Kaiser

Theses and Dissertations

Within the U.S. military, senior decision-makers and researchers alike have postulated that vast improvements could be made to current Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Concepts of Operation through inclusion of autonomous flocking. Myriad methods of implementation and desirable mission sets for this technology have been identified in the literature; however, this thesis posits that specific missions and behaviors are best suited for autonomous military flocking implementations. Adding to Craig Reynolds' basic theory that three naturally observed rules can be used as building blocks for simulating flocking behavior, new rules are proposed and defined in the development of an autonomous flocking UAS …


Air Force Inspection System: An Application For System-Of-Systems (Sos) Engineering, Joseph R. Lay Jun 2014

Air Force Inspection System: An Application For System-Of-Systems (Sos) Engineering, Joseph R. Lay

Theses and Dissertations

The Air Combat Command (ACC) Inspector General (IG) assesses the operational readiness and combat effectiveness of units by evaluating individual wings. Today's conflicts; however, are waged as a joint force. The Joint Forces Commander (JFC) leverages the resources of the entire military complex to achieve strategic objectives. The synergistic effects, created by the integration of individual weapon systems, produce greater results than the individual components. Evaluating wings outside the joint System of Systems (SoS) architecture does not provide a true assessment of combat readiness. Using a case study method, this research examines the idea of integrating a joint SoS architecture …


Different Formulations Of The Orthogonal Array Problem And Their Symmetries, Andrew J. Geyer Jun 2014

Different Formulations Of The Orthogonal Array Problem And Their Symmetries, Andrew J. Geyer

Theses and Dissertations

Modern statistical experiments routinely feature a large number of input variables that can each be set to a variety of different levels. In these experiments, output response changes as a result of changes in the individual factor level settings. Often, an individual experimental run can be costly in time, money or both. Therefore, experimenters generally want to gain the desired information on factor effects from the smallest possible number of experimental runs. Orthogonal arrays provide the most desirable designs. However, finding orthogonal arrays is a very challenging problem. There are numerous integer linear programming formulations (ILP) in the literature whose …


Analysis Of Biological Weapon Spread Through A Transportation Network, Michael V. Macandrew Mar 2014

Analysis Of Biological Weapon Spread Through A Transportation Network, Michael V. Macandrew

Theses and Dissertations

Biological weapons are one of the top five threats identified by the Department of Defense in the United States. While most people commonly associate weapons of mass destruction only with atomic bombs, biological agents still have the ability to inflict mass casualties and panic. By strategically placing bioweapon detection units, known as BioWatch, in various airports, a disease spread could be detected and mitigated before country wide dispersal of the disease occurs. Key cities to invest this program are investigated through network analysis of flight itineraries with large volumes of traffic. In addition to analyzing an airport network, there is …


Interface Evaluation For Open System Architectures, Joshua A. Burger Mar 2014

Interface Evaluation For Open System Architectures, Joshua A. Burger

Theses and Dissertations

This research develops a deterministic interface evaluation framework (IEF) in support of the principles identified in the Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA). Interface evaluation in weapon system development requires a Decision Analysis (DA) method capable of handling a continuously growing alternative set and functioning with limited availability of senior decision makers. Value Focused Thinking (VFT) is selected as the best method for addressing the parameters of the framework. Inputs from the Medium Altitude Unmanned Aircraft System program office are used. An initial value threshold is established to guide open interface decisions, based on assessments of 15 historical decision scenarios. Open …


Secure Ads-B: Towards Airborne Communications Security In The Federal Aviation Administration's Next Generation Air Transportation System, Richard C. Agbeyibor Mar 2014

Secure Ads-B: Towards Airborne Communications Security In The Federal Aviation Administration's Next Generation Air Transportation System, Richard C. Agbeyibor

Theses and Dissertations

The U.S. Congress has mandated that all aircraft operating within the National Airspace System, military or civilian, be equipped with ADS-B transponders by the year 2020. The ADS-B aircraft tracking system, part of the Federal Aviation Administration's NextGen overhaul of the Air Transportation System, replaces Radar-based surveillance with a more accurate satellite-based surveillance system. However, the unencrypted nature of ADS-B communication poses an operational security risk to military and law enforcement aircraft conducting sensitive missions. The non-standard format of its message and the legacy communication channels used by its transponders make the ADS-B system unsuitable for traditional encryption mechanisms. FPE, …


Optimization Of Graphene Sensors To Detect Biological Warfare Agents, Matthew J. Quinton Mar 2014

Optimization Of Graphene Sensors To Detect Biological Warfare Agents, Matthew J. Quinton

Theses and Dissertations

The Defense Threat Reduction Agency and the Air Force Office of Scientific Research require sensors to detect biological agents better, faster, and cheaper. This research explores the use of graphene functionalized with single strand deoxyribonucleic acid (ssDNA) aptamers as a detection method for the Sterne strain of Bacillus anthracis. This research is interesting because of the unique electrical and chemical binding properties of graphene and its interaction with ssDNA and DNA. The interactions of graphene functionalized with ssDNA in response to B. anthracis spores, non-complimentary and complimentary DNA were explored in static and dynamic aqueous environments with indirect complimentary binding …


Application Of A Multi-Objective Network Model To A Combat Simulation Game: "The Drive On Metz" Case Study, Timothy D. Frawley Mar 2014

Application Of A Multi-Objective Network Model To A Combat Simulation Game: "The Drive On Metz" Case Study, Timothy D. Frawley

Theses and Dissertations

War games are routinely analyzed by the Department of Defense to study the players decision making process. This research develops a multicriteria model that enhances a war game players decision-making capability. The war game consists of a hexagonal-grid map of varying terrain that will be represent as a two-dimensional directed network. The network is obstructed by multiple enemy threats that expose a unit traversing the network to possible attack. The player is faced with the decision of choosing a route to a target node that balances the objectives of following the shortest path and maximizing the probability of success. A …


Complex Vlsi Feature Comparison For Commercial Microelectronics Verification, Michael K. Seery Mar 2014

Complex Vlsi Feature Comparison For Commercial Microelectronics Verification, Michael K. Seery

Theses and Dissertations

Shortcomings in IC verification make for glaring vulnerabilities in the form of hardware backdoors, or extraneous operation modes that allow unauthorized, undetected access. The DARPA TRUST program addressed the need for verification of untrusted circuits using industry-standard and custom software. The process developed under TRUST and implemented at the AFRL Mixed Signal Design Center has not been tested using real-world circuits outside of the designated TRUST test cases. This research demonstrates the potential of applying software designed for TRUST test articles on microchips from questionable sources. A specific process is developed for both transistor-level library cell verification and gate-level circuit …


Modeling Continuous Ied Supply Chains, Tony Liu Mar 2014

Modeling Continuous Ied Supply Chains, Tony Liu

Theses and Dissertations

Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) continue to be a main weapon used by terrorists against coalition forces overseas. This thesis intends to provide methods that can give coalition forces a new perspective on fighting IEDs. We begin by first developing a model of the supply chain terrorists use to develop, emplace and detonate IEDs. Our model contains four states in which IEDs can exist in: construction (C), emplaced (E), detonated (D) and found by coalition forces (F). We also have rate parameters representing the flow rates of IEDs. Over a given period of time, coalition forces can collect data on the …


Characterizing And Optimizing The Performance Of The Maestro 49-Core Processor, Eric W. Mote Mar 2014

Characterizing And Optimizing The Performance Of The Maestro 49-Core Processor, Eric W. Mote

Theses and Dissertations

As space-based imagery-intelligence systems become increasingly complex, processing units are needed that can process the extra data these systems seek to collect. However, the space environment presents a number of threats, such as ambient or malicious radiation, that can damage and otherwise interfere with electronic systems. There is a need, then, for processors that can tolerate radiation-induced faults, and that also have sufficient computational power to handle the large flow of data they encounter. This research investigates one potential solution: a multi-core processor that is radiation-hardened and designed to provide highly parallelized MIMD execution of applicable workloads. A variety of …


A Methodology For Measuring Resilience In A Satellite-Based Communication Network, Jonathan S. Turner Mar 2014

A Methodology For Measuring Resilience In A Satellite-Based Communication Network, Jonathan S. Turner

Theses and Dissertations

According to Presidential Policy Directive 21, increasing resilience of critical infrastructures is not only desired, but United States policy. Communications infrastructures are one such critical infrastructure. The purpose of this research is to develop a methodology for measuring resilience in satellite communication systems for use as a key criterion in the selection and acquisition of new satellite architectures, in accordance with the National Security Space Strategy. The base methodology utilized in this thesis is Extreme Event Modeling implemented through the use of Bi-Level Programming with monotonically nonlinear continuous and mixed integer variables. This model differs from previous efforts applied to …


A Recommender System In The Cyber Defense Domain, Katherine B. Lyons Mar 2014

A Recommender System In The Cyber Defense Domain, Katherine B. Lyons

Theses and Dissertations

In the cyber domain, network defenders have traditionally been placed in a reactionary role. Before a defender can act they must wait for an attack to occur and identify the attack. This places the defender at a disadvantage in a cyber attack situation and it is certainly desirable that the defender out maneuver the attacker before the network has been compromised. The goal of this research is to determine the value of employing a recommender system as an attack predictor, and determine the best configuration of a recommender system for the cyber defense domain. The most important contribution of this …


Empirical Analysis Of Human Capital, Learning Culture, And Knowledge Management As Antecedents To Organizational Performance: Theoretical And Practical Implications For Logistics Readiness Officer Force Development, Matt J. Cherry Mar 2014

Empirical Analysis Of Human Capital, Learning Culture, And Knowledge Management As Antecedents To Organizational Performance: Theoretical And Practical Implications For Logistics Readiness Officer Force Development, Matt J. Cherry

Theses and Dissertations

The ubiquitous nature of economic uncertainty that has plagued the Department of Defense has necessitated the relentless pursuit of cost savings and efficiency improvements. Under the auspices of force development, drawing on resource-based theory, this research analyzed the impact of Logistics Readiness Officer (LRO) human capital, learning culture, and knowledge management on organizational performance as a means to increase competitive advantage. Survey methodology was utilized to garner data with both theoretical and practical implications on LRO force development practices. Solicitation of information regarding LRO competencies, the utility of logistics courses, and the latent construct was conducted via a web-based self-reporting …


Towards Reengineering The United States Department Of Defense: A Financial Case For A Functionally-Aligned, Unified Military Structure, Luke R. Stover Mar 2014

Towards Reengineering The United States Department Of Defense: A Financial Case For A Functionally-Aligned, Unified Military Structure, Luke R. Stover

Theses and Dissertations

This research examined the potential financial and non-financial benefits of working towards reengineering the Department of Defense (DoD) through the adaptation of a functionally-aligned, unified organizational structure. Based on historical analysis of the DoD's current structure, a proposed DoD structure is presented that aligns operational functions under functional corps and support functions under existing defense-wide agencies and field activities. An analysis of overlapping functionality between services provided the basis for quantitative analysis of size-of-force and budget request data for Fiscal Year 2013 (FY2013). This analysis enabled the comparison of operational efficiency between services. These rates were used to benchmark operational …


Gas Phase Organophosphate Detection Using Enzymes Encapsulated Within Peptide Nanotubes, Christopher W. Edwards Mar 2014

Gas Phase Organophosphate Detection Using Enzymes Encapsulated Within Peptide Nanotubes, Christopher W. Edwards

Theses and Dissertations

Previous work to develop biosensors that can be used to detect organophosphorus compounds (OPCs) has successfully demonstrated the potential application of enzymes encapsulated in peptide-nanotubes (PNTs) enhanced with horseradish peroxidase (HRP) to detect the presence of OPCs in the aqueous and gas phases. In this research, a standardized test method that was applied to evaluate a biosensor fabricated with a single-use electrode, was refined to accommodate a reusable screen printed electrode. Also in this study, butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) enzyme was used in lieu of the acetylcholinesterase (AChE) enzyme applied in earlier studies in an effort to enhance biosensor performance. Biosensor operation …


2013 Annual Report Of The Graduate School Of Engineering And Management, Air Force Institute Of Technology, Office Of Research And Sponsored Programs, Graduate School Of Engineering And Management, Afit Mar 2014

2013 Annual Report Of The Graduate School Of Engineering And Management, Air Force Institute Of Technology, Office Of Research And Sponsored Programs, Graduate School Of Engineering And Management, Afit

AFIT Documents

The Graduate School's Annual Report highlights research focus areas, new academic programs, faculty accomplishments and news, and provides top-level sponsor-funded research data and information.


Band Gap Transition Studies Of U:Tho2 Using Cathodoluminescence, Joshua D. Reding Mar 2014

Band Gap Transition Studies Of U:Tho2 Using Cathodoluminescence, Joshua D. Reding

Theses and Dissertations

The Department of Defense has expressed interest in thorium dioxide (ThO2) and uranium dioxide (UO2) as possible candidates for use as special nuclear material in designing neutron detectors. Both materials have large neutron interaction cross sections. Uranium dioxide is particularly attractive due to its semiconducting properties and a relatively small band gap of 2 eV. Both materials fluoresce under ionizing radiation making them candidates for scintillating detectors. Three Ux:Th1-xO2 (x= 0.00, 0.01, 0.22) hydrothermally grown single crystals were examined using cathodoluminescence to interrogate the changing electronic properties of ThO2 as …


Air Force Institute Of Technology Research Report 2013, Office Of Research And Sponsored Programs, Graduate School Of Engineering And Management, Afit Jan 2014

Air Force Institute Of Technology Research Report 2013, Office Of Research And Sponsored Programs, Graduate School Of Engineering And Management, Afit

AFIT Documents

This report summarizes the research activities of the Air Force Institute of Technology’s Graduate School of Engineering and Management. It describes research interests and faculty expertise; lists student theses/dissertations; identifies research sponsors and contributions; and outlines the procedures for contacting the school. Included in the report are: faculty publications, conference presentations, consultations, and funded research projects. Research was conducted in the areas of Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering, Electrical Engineering and Electro-Optics, Computer Engineering and Computer Science, Systems Engineering and Management, Operational Sciences, Mathematics, Statistics and Engineering Physics.


Aerodynamic Performance And Particle Image Velocimetery Of Piezo Actuated Biomimetic Manduca Sexta Engineered Wings Towards The Design And Application Of A Flapping Wing Flight Vehicle, Anthony M. Deluca Dec 2013

Aerodynamic Performance And Particle Image Velocimetery Of Piezo Actuated Biomimetic Manduca Sexta Engineered Wings Towards The Design And Application Of A Flapping Wing Flight Vehicle, Anthony M. Deluca

Theses and Dissertations

Considerable research and investigation has been conducted on the aerodynamic performance, and the predominate flow physics of the Manduca sexta size of biomimetically designed and fabricated wings as part of the AFIT FWMAV design project. Despite a burgeoning interest and research into the diverse field of flapping wing flight and biomimicry, the aerodynamics of flapping wing flight remains a nebulous field of science with considerable variance into the theoretical abstractions surrounding aerodynamic mechanisms responsible for aerial performance. Traditional FWMAV flight models assume a form of a quasi-steady approximation of wing aerodynamics based on an infinite wing element model (BEM). An …


Deployed Communications In An Austere Environment: A Delphi Study, Andrew Soine, James Harker, Alan R. Heminger Nov 2013

Deployed Communications In An Austere Environment: A Delphi Study, Andrew Soine, James Harker, Alan R. Heminger

Faculty Publications

The information and communications technology (ICT) field is undergoing a period of tremendous change. The exponential growth rate of ICT capability in recent decades, which has had an undeniable effect on every aspect of our society, will likely have ramifications for military operations in austere environments. 1 The Air Force’s 689th Combat Communications Wing commissioned a study to forecast the future of mobile ICT in such environments. Researchers at the Air Force Institute of Technology chose to employ the Delphi technique as the methodology for executing this task. The following scenario, based on the results of that study, demonstrates how …


Radio Frequency Based Programmable Logic Controller Anomaly Detection, Samuel J. Stone Sep 2013

Radio Frequency Based Programmable Logic Controller Anomaly Detection, Samuel J. Stone

Theses and Dissertations

The research goal involved developing improved methods for securing Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) devices against unauthorized entry and mitigating the risk of Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) attack by detecting malicious software and/or trojan hardware. A Correlation Based Anomaly Detection (CBAD) process was developed to enable 1) software anomaly detection discriminating between various operating conditions to detect malfunctioning or malicious software, firmware, etc., and 2) hardware component discrimination discriminating between various hardware components to detect malfunctioning or counterfeit, trojan, etc., components.


Evaluation Of Cyber Sensors For Enhancing Situational Awareness In The Ics Environment, Jeremy R. Otis Jun 2013

Evaluation Of Cyber Sensors For Enhancing Situational Awareness In The Ics Environment, Jeremy R. Otis

Theses and Dissertations

Industrial Control Systems (ICS) monitor and control operations associated with the national critical infrastructure (e.g., electric power grid, oil and gas pipelines and water treatment facilities). These systems rely on technologies and architectures that were designed for system reliability and availability. Security associated with ICS was never an inherent concern, primarily due to the protections afforded by network isolation. However, a trend in ICS operations is to migrate to commercial networks via TCP/IP in order to leverage commodity benefits and cost savings. As a result, system vulnerabilities are now exposed to the online community. Indeed, recent research has demonstrated that …


Applied Hypergame Theory For Network Defense, Alan S. Gibson Jun 2013

Applied Hypergame Theory For Network Defense, Alan S. Gibson

Theses and Dissertations

Cyber operations are the most important aspect of military conflicts in the 21st century, but unfortunately they are also among the least understood. The continual battle for network dominance between attackers and defenders is considered to be a complex game. Hypergame theory is an extension of game theory that addresses the kind of games where misperception exists, as is often the case in military engagements. Hypergame theory, like game theory, uses a game model to determine strategy selection, but goes beyond game theory by examining subgames that exist within the full game. The inclusion of misperception and misinformation in the …


Urgent Aeromedical Evacuation Network Capacity Planning, Scott C. Finkbeiner Mar 2013

Urgent Aeromedical Evacuation Network Capacity Planning, Scott C. Finkbeiner

Theses and Dissertations

Aeromedical Evacuation (AE) has been steadily utilized during Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. AE is a global enterprise. The current structure of AE is facing changes as forces scale down from operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. AE will, however, continue to be important in its domestic use in the continental USA (CONUS). Current practice is to pull aircraft (e.g. C-17, C-130 or KC-135) from their normal operations to meet Urgent and Priority patient needs when local alternatives are infeasible. An alternative to the current system would be having a centralized "bed-down" location for AE operations that would house …


An Empirical Investigation Of Usaf Logistics Readiness Officer Mission Sets, Matthew D. Roberts Mar 2013

An Empirical Investigation Of Usaf Logistics Readiness Officer Mission Sets, Matthew D. Roberts

Theses and Dissertations

USAF Logistics Readiness Officers (LRO) operate in an evolving environment which necessitates growing multi-faceted LROs capable of succeeding across all mission sets. Because of this evolving nature, the knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) needed in these mission sets may have changed. This study sought to validate the mission sets an LRO operates in, identify critical KSAs needed within each, discover overlap, and to determine if the KSAs are being adequately taught. The problem was addressed through qualitative content analysis of interviews and focus groups comprised of logistics practitioners in the Air Force. Analysis led to validating Deployment, Distribution, Materiel Management, …


Development Of Peptide Nanotube-Modified Biosensors For Gas-Phase Organophosphate Detection, Peter A . Baker Mar 2013

Development Of Peptide Nanotube-Modified Biosensors For Gas-Phase Organophosphate Detection, Peter A . Baker

Theses and Dissertations

Vapor-phase detection of the model organophosphate malathion was achieved using enzymes encapsulated in peptide nanotubes and attached to gold screen-printed electrodes. Malathion was chosen as the model for this experiment because its binding mechanism with acetylcholinesterase (AChE) is identical to its more potent counterparts (such as sarin or VX), but it has an extremely low human toxicity, which makes it both practical and easy to use. The peptide nanotubes had horseradish peroxidase encapsulated inside and were coated with both acetylthiocholine (ASCh) and AChE on the outside. ASCh hydrolysis, which produces thiocholine, was catalyzed by the AChE. The thiocholine was then …


The Future Of Mobile Information And Communication Technology In Austere Environments: A Command And Control Technology Integration Perspective, James W. Harker Mar 2013

The Future Of Mobile Information And Communication Technology In Austere Environments: A Command And Control Technology Integration Perspective, James W. Harker

Theses and Dissertations

The information and communications technology (ICT) field is undergoing a period of tremendous and rapid change. As ICT develops more rapidly, the United States Air Force needs to remain responsive and adaptive to maintain military advantages. The need to integrate ICT developments sooner than our adversaries prompted an assessment of guidelines evaluating how well the AF is doctrinally positioned from a Command and Control perspective to support integration of emerging ICT. A Delphi Study was commissioned by the 689th CCW to forecast the future of mobile Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in austere environments. Using the ICT forecast data as …


An Evaluation Of The Organizational Structure Of Air Force Emergency Operations Centers Using Social Network Analysis And Design Structure Matrices, John W. Marshall Mar 2013

An Evaluation Of The Organizational Structure Of Air Force Emergency Operations Centers Using Social Network Analysis And Design Structure Matrices, John W. Marshall

Theses and Dissertations

The terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001 demonstrated that the United States' emergency response capability, while robust, was disorganized in that organizations were not prepared or equipped to coordinate response actions across multiple agencies at a national level. This research investigates whether NIMS and the AFIMS structure is optimal for Air Force emergency managers, or whether, while maintaining NIMS compliance, there is a more effective way for the Air Force to organize its emergency management and response forces. Specifically this research focuses on the organization of the EOC and investigates whether shifting from the current structure of the ESFs to …


Biodegradation Of An Organophosphate Chemical Warfare Agent Simulant By Activated Sludge With Varying Solid Retention Times, Allen K. Janeczko Mar 2013

Biodegradation Of An Organophosphate Chemical Warfare Agent Simulant By Activated Sludge With Varying Solid Retention Times, Allen K. Janeczko

Theses and Dissertations

This study examined the fate of malathion, a surrogate compound for VX studies, in bench-scale sequencing batch bioreactors being operated under varied solid retention times (SRTs) to simulate the activated sludge process in wastewater treatment facilities. Results show that a constant influent of the malathion will largely be removed. However, the heterotrophic bacteria undergo a stress response which temporarily inhibits malathion removal, the extent of which increases with increasing SRTs. After this stress response takes place, the activated sludge is able to resume a high degree of malathion removal, even with increased influent concentration; however, this is done so at …