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Air Force Institute of Technology

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Simulation Of Weapons Release From Cargo Aircraft, Paul M. Wilson Mar 2006

Simulation Of Weapons Release From Cargo Aircraft, Paul M. Wilson

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to develop a computer simulation capable of providing an accurate flight history of an air-dropped munitions dispenser system in order to conduct proof of concept testing. The simulation is intended to serve as an adaptable tool for the development and testing of any cargo aircraft based weapons dispenser system. The simulation allows the user to conduct low-cost, time efficient, and effective tests of various design concepts in determining their operational feasibility and performance envelope. The munitions dispenser system is intended to provide a retrofit combat capability to the USAF C-17 aircraft, delivering massive amounts …


Covariance Estimation And Autocorrelation Of Norad Two-Line Element Sets, Victor P. Osweiler Mar 2006

Covariance Estimation And Autocorrelation Of Norad Two-Line Element Sets, Victor P. Osweiler

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis investigates NORAD two-line element sets (TLE) containing satellite mean orbital elements for the purpose of estimating a covariance matrix and formulating an autocorrelation relationship. Orbit propagation is performed using Simplified General Perturbations Number 4 (SGP4) analytical model as implemented within Satellite Took Kit. For a given satellite, TLEs from a span of two weeks are used to calculate position and velocity differences of estimated state vectors in order to characterize their variance behavior and compute a covariance matrix for the most recent TLE. Six satellites and eight time spans are investigated, with all state vector differences evaluated in …


Control Demonstration Of A Thin Deformable In-Plane Actuated Mirror, Gina A. Peterson Mar 2006

Control Demonstration Of A Thin Deformable In-Plane Actuated Mirror, Gina A. Peterson

Theses and Dissertations

Current imaging satellites are limited in resolution and coverage area by the aperture size of their primary optical mirror. To get a large optical mirror into space, current launch weight and size restrictions must be overcome. Membrane-like optical mirrors can overcome these restrictions with their very lightweight and flexible properties. However, thin, deformable membrane mirrors are very susceptible to the space environment and require active control for surface stabilization and shaping. The primary goal of this research is to demonstrate that an in-plane actuated membrane-like deformable optical mirror can be controlled to optical wavelength tolerances in a closed-loop system. Fabrication …


Classification Characteristics Of Carbon Nanotube Polymer Composite Chemical Vapor Detectors, Huynh A. Hinshaw Mar 2006

Classification Characteristics Of Carbon Nanotube Polymer Composite Chemical Vapor Detectors, Huynh A. Hinshaw

Theses and Dissertations

The first step in combating a chemical weapons threat is contamination avoidance. This is accomplished by the detection and identification of chemical agents. The Air Force has several instruments to detect chemical vapors, but is always looking for lighter, faster, and more accurate technology for a better capability. This research is focused on using carbon nanotube polymer composite sensors for chemical detection. More specifically, models are developed to classify three sets of sensor data according to vapor using various multivariate techniques. Also, prediction models of a mixed sensor output are developed using neural networks and regression analysis. The classifiers developed …


Assessing Resource Value And Relationships Between Objectives In Effects-Based Operations, Robert D. Jones Mar 2006

Assessing Resource Value And Relationships Between Objectives In Effects-Based Operations, Robert D. Jones

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research was developing techniques to calculate the value of a resource within the context of campaign objectives, to identify competing objectives, and to identify conflicting objectives to improve a commander’s ability to allocate limited resources. A methodology was developed to express a campaign’s objective hierarchy in terms of a set of desired end states for the campaign’s system of systems. Value theory was used to identify the resource's value in terms of the direct and indirect effects that are produced to achieve the campaign’s objectives. Binding resource constraints within an integer program were used to identify …


A Risk Assessment Methodology For Divesting Military Capabilities To Allied Nations, Jason A. Gastelum Mar 2006

A Risk Assessment Methodology For Divesting Military Capabilities To Allied Nations, Jason A. Gastelum

Theses and Dissertations

The United States spent over $400 billion dollars on national defense in 2005. Even with support for the war on terrorism still strong, it is doubtful that the U.S. can sustain such a level of defense investment. One strategy to offset the increasing burden of defense spending is to divest the procurement and/or sustainment of individual defense capabilities to allied nations. The decision to divest any capability, however, introduces risk. This thesis presents a methodology to quantify the risk of the decision to divest a military capability to an allied nation, where risk is defined as the set of risk …


Review Of The Joint Capability Integration And Development System (Jcids) And The National Security Space Acquisition Process (Nssap), Joyce A. Gamache Mar 2006

Review Of The Joint Capability Integration And Development System (Jcids) And The National Security Space Acquisition Process (Nssap), Joyce A. Gamache

Theses and Dissertations

Space systems are a critical enabler of the net-centric operation warfare (NCOW) needed to achieve victory in the Global War on Terrorism (GWOT). The effective acquisition of affordable systems is vital to our National Security Strategy. Space systems play an important role throughout a wide spectrum of military and civil operations. Several challenging factors unique to space systems development are the high level of technological complexity, a broad joint user base, and the reliance on seamless interoperable systems to achieve superior capabilities for US warfighters. This research examines the interaction between the Joint Capabilities Integration and Development System (JCIDS) and …


Application Of The Strategic Alignment Model And Information Technology Governance Concepts To Support Network Centric Warfare, Jennifer R. Valentine Mar 2006

Application Of The Strategic Alignment Model And Information Technology Governance Concepts To Support Network Centric Warfare, Jennifer R. Valentine

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis analyzes the fields of E-Business and Network Centric Warfare (NCW) in order to identify gaps and overlaps within the two bodies of knowledge. Successful implementation of E-business is more than simply applying a technology to an existing business model. It is about evolving business processes and structures in order for the organization to accommodate for this new dynamic environment. This thesis proposes that while the two areas' success fundamentally resides in the implementation and exploitation of technology, it is only through sound IT Governance policies and strategic alignment practices that success can be measured. Technology has the ability …


Performance Analysis Of A Cooperative Search Algorithm For Multiple Unmanned Aerial Vehicles Under Limited Communication Conditions, Kevin M. Morris Mar 2006

Performance Analysis Of A Cooperative Search Algorithm For Multiple Unmanned Aerial Vehicles Under Limited Communication Conditions, Kevin M. Morris

Theses and Dissertations

This research investigates the impacts of realistic wireless communications upon a group of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) utilizing a distributed search algorithm. The UAVs are used to survey an area for mobile targets and they require communication to cooperatively locate the targets. The mobile targets do not continually radiate energy, which exacerbates the search effort; a UAV could fly directly over a target and not detect it. A simulation of cooperative UAVs is implemented using the OPNET Modeler network simulation tool. The search performance of a group of UAVs is observed when communication range, data rate, and the number of …


Developing An Aggregate Marginal Cost Per Flying Hour Model For The U.S. Air Force's F-15 Fighter Aircraft, Patrick D. Armstrong Mar 2006

Developing An Aggregate Marginal Cost Per Flying Hour Model For The U.S. Air Force's F-15 Fighter Aircraft, Patrick D. Armstrong

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis applies econometric techniques to build a "marginal" cost per flying hour model for the U.S. Air Force's F-15CD and E fleets. It used monthly economic, programmatic, operational, and climatology data from FY01-FY04 to construct Depot Level Reparable (DLR) and Consumable (CONS) models on the aggregate level. It incorporated the use of panel data analysis to explore the effect each of the independent variables had on the CPFH rate by time and by base. This allowed it to capture not only the temporal (time) interactions, but also the spatial (cross-sectional) interactions, providing a more robust analysis of the dynamics …


An Epidemiological Approach To Terrorism, Kjirstin A. Bentson Mar 2006

An Epidemiological Approach To Terrorism, Kjirstin A. Bentson

Theses and Dissertations

There are many types of models for counterterrorism, explaining different problems that the military faces in the fight against terrorism. This thesis proposes that one of the fundamental assumptions underlying existing models of counterterrorism is that the struggle with terrorists can be understood as a war in the traditional sense of the term. We propose to rethink the struggle against terrorism as a fight against an infection. The epidemic of terrorist ideology within part of the world is a result, from this perspective, of the infectiousness of that ideology. Using the insights of the field of the epidemiology of ideas, …


A Minimum Effort Control Approach To Guided Munition Path Planning, Jeffrey M. Borkowski Mar 2006

A Minimum Effort Control Approach To Guided Munition Path Planning, Jeffrey M. Borkowski

Theses and Dissertations

An advance in the development of smart munitions entails autonomously modifying target selection during flight to maximize the value of the target being destroyed. Target identification and classification provides a basis for target value, which is used in conjunction with multi-target tracks to determine an optimal aim point for the munition. A unique guidance law can be constructed that exploits attribute and kinematic data from an onboard video sensor. This thesis develops an innovative path planning algorithm that provides an obstacle avoidance function while navigating the munition toward the highest value target. The foundation of this path planning method is …


A Comparative Assessment Of Knowledge Management Programs Across The United States Armed Services, Patrick L. Booker Mar 2006

A Comparative Assessment Of Knowledge Management Programs Across The United States Armed Services, Patrick L. Booker

Theses and Dissertations

Knowledge is a corporate resource that is required to accomplish business processes, to make decisions, and to improve efficiency and effectiveness. To completely take advantage of the benefits of knowledge, organizations must harvest and leverage the collective knowledge of the entire workforce. This can be achieved through effective knowledge management. Knowledge management involves processes to create, to store, and transfer knowledge to accomplish business objectives and to achieve a competitive advantage. The United States armed services have also recognized the benefits of knowledge management in meeting the emerging challenges of modern warfare. This study investigated knowledge management programs in the …


A Study Of Near Field Data Transformed To The Far Field For A Canonical Pec Scatterer, E. Matthew Cady Mar 2006

A Study Of Near Field Data Transformed To The Far Field For A Canonical Pec Scatterer, E. Matthew Cady

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research was to analyze the error associated with the Image Based Near Field to Far Field Transformation (IB NFFFT) for a canonical perfectly electrically conductive (PEC) scatterer. This research compares two groups of data: far field RCS predicted by the IB NFFFT and far field RCS predicted by X-Patch. The IB NFFFT requires a complete set of calibrated monostatic near field scattering data of the object. A detailed description is given of the configuration of the measurement facilities and procedures that were required to obtain the calibrated near field scattering data, as well as the process …


An Asymmetrical Look At Air Force Human Capital Management: More Emphasis On Qualifications And Less On Rank, Daniel M. Romano Mar 2006

An Asymmetrical Look At Air Force Human Capital Management: More Emphasis On Qualifications And Less On Rank, Daniel M. Romano

Theses and Dissertations

This research explored an asymmetrical concept of personnel management, specifically whether status, rank, is an artificial barrier to employing qualified enlisted personnel in some company grade officer duties. It takes the approach under the Human Capital Theory and questions whether rank plays a roll in effective performance and whether eliminating rank as a criterion to employment, in some duties, can support Air Force transformation efforts, without negatively affecting culture (i.e. chain-of-command, customs and courtesies). It describes a concept where more emphasis is put on meeting the knowledge, education, experience, and training qualifications and the required rank be interchangeable between enlisted …


Factors Affecting The Transfer Of Basic Combat Skills Training In The Air Force, Rodney E. Mccraine Mar 2006

Factors Affecting The Transfer Of Basic Combat Skills Training In The Air Force, Rodney E. Mccraine

Theses and Dissertations

During Operations ENDURING FREEDOM (OEF) and IRAQI FREEDOM (OIF), many Airmen in support career fields were deployed to hostile environments like Afghanistan and Iraq. Deployments of this nature are a departure from normal Air Force operations where support personnel are normally far from the front lines of battle. The purpose of this research was to understand the factors that affect the transfer of basic combat skills training from the classroom to the battlefield. Specifically, this thesis sought to answer five research questions addressing the current combat skills training requirements, the perceived training transfer of basic combat skills, the factors that …


Early Warning And Prediction Of Internet Attacks And Exploits, Brian P. Zeitz Sep 2005

Early Warning And Prediction Of Internet Attacks And Exploits, Brian P. Zeitz

Theses and Dissertations

A safe, secure, and functional information network is vital in today’s Air Force net centric environment. Information is more critical today than it has ever been. As more operational functions are placed in cyber space and greater computing power becomes available to everyone, keeping these networks safe and secure is an almost unattainable task. Network security entails Intrusion Detection Security, but another form of security or “insecurity” is quickly gaining attention. Honeypots allow the black hat community to attack and penetrate non-production systems. By monitoring and studying these attacks, network defenders can develop better Information Assurance tactics, techniques and procedures …


Protein Impregnated Polymer (Pip) Film Infrared Sensor Using Suspended Microelectromechanical Systems (Mems) Pixels, Tetsuo Kaieda Sep 2005

Protein Impregnated Polymer (Pip) Film Infrared Sensor Using Suspended Microelectromechanical Systems (Mems) Pixels, Tetsuo Kaieda

Theses and Dissertations

The Air Force Research Laboratory Materials and Manufacturing Directorate have developed a novel protein impregnated polymer (PIP) suspension that changes resistivity as a function of absorbed infrared radiation. Due to this property, the PIP is a potential material for use as an uncooled bolometer, or thermal sensor. In this research, a thermally-isolated pixel design, sensor characterization methods, and sensor fabrication and processing steps were developed. To create a microbolometer, the PIP was applied to two prototype micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) surface micro-machined structures. The first is a raised cantilever pixel array that uses residual stress polysilicon and metal film arms to …


Characterization Of The Global Hawk Low Pressure Turbine First Rotor, Timothy L. Garmoe Sep 2005

Characterization Of The Global Hawk Low Pressure Turbine First Rotor, Timothy L. Garmoe

Theses and Dissertations

The Air Force Research Laboratory, Propulsion Directorate at Wright Patterson Air Force Base has studied the performance of turbine blade geometries utilizing a large scale, low speed, drawdown wind tunnel in an effort to better understand gas turbine blade aerodynamics. Currently, the Air Force's Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Global Hawk has been operated primarily at flight conditions other than the design point of its Allison AE3007H turbofan engine. This off design condition decreased the Reynolds number at the low pressure turbine causing losses in efficiency and loading. Two different blades were studied to maximize performance of the Global Hawk turbine. …


Liquid Crystal On Silicon Non-Mechanical Steering Of A Laser Vibrometer System, Kevin S. Kuciapinski Sep 2005

Liquid Crystal On Silicon Non-Mechanical Steering Of A Laser Vibrometer System, Kevin S. Kuciapinski

Theses and Dissertations

This research examined the possibility of using a non-mechanical beam steering device to steer the beam of a coherent laser radar system. Non-mechanical beam steering devices offer many advantages in size, weight, power requirements, and steering speeds. Additionally, non-mechanical beam steering devices present the capabilities of splitting a single beam into multiple beams as well as beam forming and expanding. The coherent laser radar system used was a Laser Vibrometer System. The beam of the laser vibrometer was steered from 0 mrad to 3 mrad at 1 mrad increments using the liquid crystal on silicon (LCOS) device. The laser vibrometer …


Combat Identification With Sequential Observations, Rejection Option, And Out-Of-Library Targets, Timothy W. Albrecht Sep 2005

Combat Identification With Sequential Observations, Rejection Option, And Out-Of-Library Targets, Timothy W. Albrecht

Theses and Dissertations

This research extends a mathematical framework to select the optimal sensor ensemble and fusion method across multiple decision thresholds subject to warfighter constraints for a combat identification (CID) system. The formulation includes treatment of exemplars from target classes on which the CID system classifiers are not trained (out-of-library classes) and enables the warfighter to optimize a CID system without explicit enumeration of classifier error costs. A time-series classifier design methodology is developed and applied, yielding a multi-variate Gaussian hidden Markov model (HMM). The extended CID framework is used to compete the HMM-based CID system against a template-based CID system. The …


Categorizing High Energy Laser Effects For The Joint Munitions Effectiveness Manual, James A. Markham Jun 2005

Categorizing High Energy Laser Effects For The Joint Munitions Effectiveness Manual, James A. Markham

Theses and Dissertations

With the high risk and cost in fielding High Energy Laser (HEL) weapon systems, the development process must include computer simulation models of weapon system performance from the engineering level up to predicting the military worth of employing specific systems in a combat scenario. This research effort focuses on defining how to measure lethality for HEL weapons in an Advanced Tactical Laser (ATL) scenario. In order to create an effective measure for direct comparison between the emerging laser weapon system and existing conventionally delivered weapons, lase time in seconds is presented as a measure comparable to rounds required to cause …


Wide-Angle Multistatic Synthetic Aperture Radar: Focused Image Formation And Aliasing Artifact Mitigation, Jonathan E. Luminati Jun 2005

Wide-Angle Multistatic Synthetic Aperture Radar: Focused Image Formation And Aliasing Artifact Mitigation, Jonathan E. Luminati

Theses and Dissertations

Traditional monostatic Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) platforms force the user to choose between two image types: larger, low resolution images or smaller, high resolution images. Switching to a Wide-Angle Multistatic Synthetic Aperture Radar (WAM-SAR) approach allows formation of large high-resolution images. Unfortunately, WAM-SAR suffers from two significant implementation problems. First, wavefront curvature effects, non-linear flight paths, and warped ground planes lead to image defocusing with traditional SAR processing methods. A new 3-D monostatic/bistatic image formation routine solves the defocusing problem, correcting for all relevant wide-angle effects. Inverse SAR (ISAR) imagery from a Radar Cross Section (RCS) chamber validates this approach. …


Air Force Institute Of Technology Research Report 2004, Office Of The Associate Dean For Research And Consulting, Graduate School Of Engineering And Management, Afit Apr 2005

Air Force Institute Of Technology Research Report 2004, Office Of The Associate Dean For Research And Consulting, 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 and Engineering Management, Operational Sciences, and Engineering Physics.


F-111 Systems Engineering Case Study, Air Force Center For Systems Engineering, G. Keith Richey Mar 2005

F-111 Systems Engineering Case Study, Air Force Center For Systems Engineering, G. Keith Richey

AFIT Documents

The systems engineering lessons from the F-111 program will facilitate learning by emphasizing practical applications and resulting outcomes to the current processes and tools used on today s programs. The student will understand the long-term consequences of systems engineering as implemented on the F-111 and its effect on cost, schedule, and operational effectiveness. The reader can then postulate outcomes of alternate decisions at the program/system level.


Optimization Of Automatic Target Recognition With A Reject Option Using Fusion And Correlated Sensor Data, Trevor I. Laine Mar 2005

Optimization Of Automatic Target Recognition With A Reject Option Using Fusion And Correlated Sensor Data, Trevor I. Laine

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation examines the optimization of automatic target recognition (ATR) systems when a rejection option is included. First, a comprehensive review of the literature inclusive of ATR assessment, fusion, correlated sensor data, and classifier rejection is presented. An optimization framework for the fusion of multiple sensors is then developed. This framework identifies preferred fusion rules and sensors along with rejection and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve thresholds without the use of explicit misclassification costs as required by a Bayes' loss function. This optimization framework is the first to integrate both "vertical" warfighter output label analysis and "horizontal" engineering confusion matrix …


Exploratory Inquiry: Disparate Air Force Base Area Network Architectures, Charlie W. Boyd Jr. Mar 2005

Exploratory Inquiry: Disparate Air Force Base Area Network Architectures, Charlie W. Boyd Jr.

Theses and Dissertations

Joint Vision 2020, the Department of Defense (DoD) blueprint for development and transformation, identifies information and technology as critical enablers for our nation's military and calls for the development of a joint force capable of integrated information sharing to provide decision superiority, the ability to make and implement better decisions before enemies can react (DoD, 2000). Networks have been identified as the single most important element for transforming our current military forces. Ironically, Air Force base-level communications networks have been identified as a weakness. This research follows the qualitative approach to increases the current understanding of base level communications networks …


Medical Devices, Support Networks, And Their Vulnerabilities: A Case Study Of The Integration Of Medical Networks Into The Air Force Information Network, Paul G. Oleksiak Mar 2005

Medical Devices, Support Networks, And Their Vulnerabilities: A Case Study Of The Integration Of Medical Networks Into The Air Force Information Network, Paul G. Oleksiak

Theses and Dissertations

With the implementation of "one Air Force, one network" under way it is important to look at how the Air Force plans to incorporate the medical field and its unique systems, networks, and mission. The medical field presents distinctive problems not seen in other areas. Open network vulnerabilities in the medical information systems not only pose a problem for the individual, but to the military service also. Possible security holes provide both access to vital military & personal information (end strength numbers, current status of personnel, social security), and a door way into the "network". Intruders now can possibly access …


Assessing The Usefulness Of The Decision Framework For Identifying And Selecting Knowledge Management Projects, Kevin G. Budai Mar 2005

Assessing The Usefulness Of The Decision Framework For Identifying And Selecting Knowledge Management Projects, Kevin G. Budai

Theses and Dissertations

Knowledge management (KM) is becoming recognized as a valuable tool for the Department of Defense (DoD) in its effort to maintain a competitive, strategic advantage against its enemies in a new threat environment. Decision superiority is the ultimate end result and is only possible through the effective and efficient use of its chief key resource--knowledge. As the Air Force seeks to transform the way it does business the concept of knowledge management has made its way to the forefront of both the Air Force's Information Strategy and Information Resource Flight Plan. This research assesses the usefulness of a knowledge management …


Assessing The Usefulness Of Visualization Tools To Investigate Hidden Patterns With Insider Attack Cases, Amy M. Rammel Mar 2005

Assessing The Usefulness Of Visualization Tools To Investigate Hidden Patterns With Insider Attack Cases, Amy M. Rammel

Theses and Dissertations

The insider threat is a major concern for organizations. Open markets, technological advances, and the evolving definition of employee have exacerbated the insider threat. Insider threat research efforts are focusing on both prevention and detection techniques. However, recent security violation trends highlight the damage insider attacks cause organizations and illuminate why organizations and researchers must develop new approaches to this challenge. Although fruitful research is being conducted and new technologies are being applied to the insider threat problem, companies remain susceptible to the costly damage generated by insider threat actions. This research explored how visualization tools may be useful in …