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Articles 151 - 180 of 247
Full-Text Articles in Systems Engineering
An Assessment Of The Effectiveness Of Air Force Risk Management Practices In Program Acquisition Using Survey Instrument Analysis, Michael J. Maroney Jr.
An Assessment Of The Effectiveness Of Air Force Risk Management Practices In Program Acquisition Using Survey Instrument Analysis, Michael J. Maroney Jr.
Theses and Dissertations
Air Force acquisition programs invest a large amount of resources to develop and field systems. Many of these resources go to risk management in order to help ensure those programs finish successfully with respect to cost, schedule, and technical performance goals. The question arises as to whether this is a sound investment. Although risk management has been shown to be effective in industry, scant empirical evidence exists for its effectiveness within the Air Force. Correlation and regression analysis of survey data show that a positive relationship does exist between specific risk practices and project success. Furthermore, the analysis suggests that …
Analysis Of The Effectiveness Of The F-15e Risk Management During Peacetime Operations, Elliot B. Vasquez
Analysis Of The Effectiveness Of The F-15e Risk Management During Peacetime Operations, Elliot B. Vasquez
Theses and Dissertations
Human factors are causal or contributory in 80% of Class A mishaps in the Air Force. Risk management tools are used throughout the service in every aircraft to help mitigate the risk of those human factors occurring. The F-15E Strike Eagle community was selected for analysis on the effectiveness of its risk management program but the data was comprised on Class A mishaps from Accident Investigation Boards since 2000 between the F-15 (all models), F-16 (all models), and F-22. Cases were selected if there were human factors root causes or contributory. A fault tree analysis coupled with the Department of …
Army Information Technology Procurement: A Business Process Analysis, Alexander M. Vukcevic
Army Information Technology Procurement: A Business Process Analysis, Alexander M. Vukcevic
Theses and Dissertations
This thesis presents a business process analysis of the Army's ICT procurement system. The research identified several inefficiencies and proposes several potential solutions. the contributions of this research include a unified taxonomy, a method to prioritize requests, and system architecture products for development of an automated and sustainable collaboration interface for the CIO/G6 to streamline their IT acquisition process. Development of a centralized system would reduce waste in the request process from submission to formal accounting, hasten the movement of requests between stakeholders, maintain a digital signature authorization for each approval authority, provide a reporting database to recognize reprogramming thresholds, …
Modeling, Simulation, And Analysis Of A Decoy State Enabled Quantum Key Distribution System, Ryan D. Engle
Modeling, Simulation, And Analysis Of A Decoy State Enabled Quantum Key Distribution System, Ryan D. Engle
Theses and Dissertations
Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) is an emerging technology which uses the principles of quantum mechanics to provide unconditionally secure key distribution. QKD systems are unique in their ability to detect an eavesdropper's presence and are being marketed for applications where high levels of secrecy are required such as banking, government, and military environments. QKD systems are composed of electrical, optical, and electrooptical components. Their design requires expertise across multiple disciplines including computer science, computer engineering, electrical engineering, information theory, optical physics, and quantum physics. This multidisciplinary nature makes QKD an ideal candidate for study using Model Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) …
Functionality, Complexity, And Approaches To Assessment Of Resilience Under Constrained Energy And Information, Jason B. Clark
Functionality, Complexity, And Approaches To Assessment Of Resilience Under Constrained Energy And Information, Jason B. Clark
Theses and Dissertations
While system functions, functionality, and complexity are widely used concepts in systems engineering, there is significant diversity in their definitions and no unified approach to measurement. This research establishes a method for measuring impacts to functionality in dynamic engineered systems based on changes in kinetic energy. This metric is applied at particular levels of abstraction and system scales, consistent with the established multiscale nature of systems. By measuring system behavior in context with expected scenarios, it is possible to estimate expected functionality or set bounds on a system's maximum functionality. Functionality and system effectiveness is heavily influenced by the amount …
Using Earned Value Data To Forecast The Duration Of Department Of Defense (Dod) Space Acquisition Programs, Shedrick M. Bridgeforth
Using Earned Value Data To Forecast The Duration Of Department Of Defense (Dod) Space Acquisition Programs, Shedrick M. Bridgeforth
Theses and Dissertations
The accuracy of cost estimates is vital during this era of budget constraints. A key component of this accuracy is regularly updating the cost estimate at completion (EAC). A 2014 study by the Air Force Cost Analysis Agency (AFCAA) improved the accuracy of the cost estimate at completion (EAC) for space system contracts. The study found schedule duration to be a cost driver, but assumed the underlying duration estimate was accurate. This research attempts to improve the accuracy of the duration estimate from the AFCAA study; accuracy is evaluated with the Mean Absolute Percent Error (MAPE). The methods researched here …
A Comparative Study Of Learning Curve Models In Defense Airframe Cost Estimating, Justin R. Moore
A Comparative Study Of Learning Curve Models In Defense Airframe Cost Estimating, Justin R. Moore
Theses and Dissertations
The goal of this research was to identify which learning curve model is most accurate when applied to Defense acquisition programs. Wright's original learning curve model is widely accepted and used within Defense acquisitions, but the 75+ year old model may be outdated. This study compares Wright's model against three alternative learning curve models using total lot costs for the F-15 C/D & E programs: the Stanford-B model, the DeJong learning formula, and the S-Curve model. However, the results of the study are inconclusive. Two of the three alternative models, the DeJong and S-Curve, rely on the use of an …
Approximate Dynamic Programming For Military Resource Allocation, Carl R. Parson
Approximate Dynamic Programming For Military Resource Allocation, Carl R. Parson
Theses and Dissertations
This research considers the optimal allocation of weapons to a collection of targets with the objective of maximizing the value of destroyed targets. The weapon-target assignment (WTA) problem is a classic non-linear combinatorial optimization problem with an extensive history in operations research literature. The dynamic weapon target assignment (DWTA) problem aims to assign weapons optimally over time using the information gained to improve the outcome of their engagements. This research investigates various formulations of the DWTA problem and develops algorithms for their solution. Finally, an embedded optimization problem is introduced in which optimization of the multi-stage DWTA is used to …
Characterizing And Managing Intrusion Detection System (Ids) Alerts With Multi-Server/Multi-Priority Queuing Theory, Christopher C. Olsen
Characterizing And Managing Intrusion Detection System (Ids) Alerts With Multi-Server/Multi-Priority Queuing Theory, Christopher C. Olsen
Theses and Dissertations
The DoD sets forth an objective to employ an active cyber defense capability to prevent intrusions onto DoD networks and systems. Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS) are a critical part of network defense architectures, but their alerts can be difficult to manage. This research applies Queuing Theory to the management of IDS alerts, seeking to answer how analysts and priority schemes effect alert processing performance. To characterize the effect of these two variables on queue wait times, a MATLAB simulation was developed to allow parametric analysis under two scenarios. The first varies the number of analysts and the second varies the …
A Decision Analysis Framework For Evaluation Of Helmet Mounted Display Alternatives For Fighter Aircraft, Matthew R. Dansereau
A Decision Analysis Framework For Evaluation Of Helmet Mounted Display Alternatives For Fighter Aircraft, Matthew R. Dansereau
Theses and Dissertations
The promise of providing an intuitive and efficient information interface, while allowing the warfighter to perform other critical tasks such as targeting or aircraft control, has led to the growing popularity of Helmet Mounted Displays (HMDs) across the military landscape, especially combat aircraft. Though design and selection of competing systems is critical to optimized performance and safety, structured methods for the evaluation of HMDs are not often used in the acquisition community, leaving selection among alternative designs to the judgment of subject matter experts. However, technical decision-making has been shown to be flawed without the use of a structured decision …
Exploring Individual Differences In Workload Assessment, Danielle K. Boeke
Exploring Individual Differences In Workload Assessment, Danielle K. Boeke
Theses and Dissertations
Air Force missions continue to increase in complexity often imposing higher levels of task load from cognitive tasks on the operators. This increased task load manifests itself in increased cognitive workload and potentially derogated performance. While cognitive workload has been studied for decades, recent advances in objective workload models and physiology monitoring have the potential to provide a more robust understanding of workload, potentially allowing systems to adaptively employ automation to maintain operator peak performance. The current research sought to provide insight into the relationship between subjective workload, task performance, objective workload, and select physiology measures. Analysis of an existing …
Air Force Inspection System: An Application For System-Of-Systems (Sos) Engineering, Joseph R. Lay
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 …
Overcoming Hard Problems In Software Testing With Testing As A Service, Brianna Floss
Overcoming Hard Problems In Software Testing With Testing As A Service, Brianna Floss
Theses and Dissertations
Software testing is a crucial phase of the software development lifecycle, responsible for assuring that the system under test meets quality standards, requirements, and consumer needs. Unfortunately, software testing is not without flaws. Some problems are timeless while others are brought on by new technologies and methodologies. As software systems grow in size and complexity, quality becomes significantly more difficult to ensure. With recent advancements in cloud computing, the internet’s vast and elastic resources are available for testing. Testing as a Service (TaaS) offers accessible services that handle testing activities to consumers on a pay-as-you-test basis in hopes of providing …
Exploring A Method To Quantitatively Measure Design Flexibility Early In The Defense Acquisition Life Cycle, Joseph S. Kim
Exploring A Method To Quantitatively Measure Design Flexibility Early In The Defense Acquisition Life Cycle, Joseph S. Kim
Theses and Dissertations
The purpose of this research was to demonstrate a methodology using an Epoch-Era Analysis to quantify and estimate the value of design flexibility early in the Department of Defense's (DOD) acquisition life cycle. This method was implemented using a possible replacement to the Air Force's fighter-trainer aircraft as a baseline and a set of future requirements that would change the baseline. An existing Cost Estimating Relationship tool was utilized in conjunction with a decision tree modeling approach to accommodate uncertain future needs. Sensitivity analysis was performed to identify model parameters with dominant effects on the recommended design strategies. The results …
Interface Evaluation For Open System Architectures, Joshua A. Burger
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 …
Improving The Enterprise Requirements And Acquisition Model's Development Test And Evaluation Process Fidelity, Jason W. Sutherlin
Improving The Enterprise Requirements And Acquisition Model's Development Test And Evaluation Process Fidelity, Jason W. Sutherlin
Theses and Dissertations
Shrinking budgets and dynamic military conflicts have driven Department of Defense (DoD) leadership to reform how the military acquires weapon systems with the goal of decreasing program schedules and costs, while maximizing performance. With fifty years of reform, the DoD has been unable to adequately control program schedule objectives. Previous research attempted to support acquisition reforms through modeling and simulation. The Enterprise Requirements and Acquisition Model (ERAM) captures a program's progression through the Defense Acquisition Management System to gain insight into significant delays that impact program schedule and probability of completion. A past unexpected result included the insignificant impact that …
Dispatch, Delivery, And Location Logistics For The Aeromedical Evacuation Of Time-Sensitive Military Casualties Under Uncertainty, Benjamin Grannan
Dispatch, Delivery, And Location Logistics For The Aeromedical Evacuation Of Time-Sensitive Military Casualties Under Uncertainty, Benjamin Grannan
Theses and Dissertations
Effective aeromedical evacuation of casualties is one of the most important problems in military medical systems because high-priority casualties will not survive without timely medical care. The decision making process for aeromedical evacuation consists of the following components: (1) identifying which aeromedical evacuation asset (see figure 1) to dispatch to the casualty, (2) locating aeromedical evacuation assets strategically in anticipation of incoming demand, and (3) deciding which medical treatment facility to transport the casualty. These decisions are further complicated because prioritization of casualties is based on severity of injury while aeromedical evacuation assets and medical treatment facilities operate with varying …
Evaluating The Effect Of Integrated System Health Management On Mission Effectiveness, Sarah E. Storm
Evaluating The Effect Of Integrated System Health Management On Mission Effectiveness, Sarah E. Storm
Theses and Dissertations
This research used systems architecture to develop a model that determined the effect of Integrated System Health Management (ISHM) on mission success rates for unmanned aerial systems (UAS). To evaluate this effect, a simulation model was developed and used to analyze the difference between mission success rates for a theoretical UAS with and without ISHM. Design of Experiments analysis techniques were used to map a response surface that modeled the difference between mission success rates calculated for current health management technology and ISHM. Using representative data for a UAS, the analysis determined that the failure distribution parameters, sensor quality (which …
The Use Of Multi-Criteria Evaluation And Network Analysis In The Area Development Planning Process, Peeter E. Pleake-Tamm
The Use Of Multi-Criteria Evaluation And Network Analysis In The Area Development Planning Process, Peeter E. Pleake-Tamm
Theses and Dissertations
The purpose of this research was to develop improvements to the area development planning process. These plans are used to improve operations within an installation sub-section by altering the physical layout of facilities. One methodology was developed based on apply network analysis concepts to the generation of alternative facility layouts. A second methodology was developed using multi-criteria evaluation to the selection of evaluated alternative facility layouts. The results of this study are two methodological processes that can be executed at base level requiring minimal additional information. The functional network map, based in network analysis, increases the use of socio-economic data …
Calibration And Extension Of A Discrete Event Operations Simulation Modeling Multiple Un-Manned Aerial Vehicles Controlled By A Single Operator, Jonathan W. Welborn
Calibration And Extension Of A Discrete Event Operations Simulation Modeling Multiple Un-Manned Aerial Vehicles Controlled By A Single Operator, Jonathan W. Welborn
Theses and Dissertations
This research improved a simulation that models a single operator responsible for multiple UAV rovers. The improvement calibrated the model by increasing the realism of its expected time that the target will be within the field of view of a UAV's camera and how much of that will be observed by an operator that has multiple tasks to perform throughout the mission. The calibration was derived from multiple flight tests, by using a Field of View Algorithm in MATLAB and by visually recording times for loiter loops by hand. It was determined that the target will be within the field …
An Evaluation Of The Organizational Structure Of Air Force Emergency Operations Centers Using Social Network Analysis And Design Structure Matrices, John W. Marshall
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 …
Identifying System Patterns To Resolve Challenges In The Test And Evaluation Operation, Daniel K. Mutunga
Identifying System Patterns To Resolve Challenges In The Test And Evaluation Operation, Daniel K. Mutunga
Theses and Dissertations
This research focuses on identification and description of patterns used in Test and Evaluation (T&E) operations. Patterns are defined as named and well-known problem/solution pairs that can be applied in new contexts, with advice on how to apply it in a novel situations and discussion of its trade-offs, implementations, and variations. They have a well established and used in software engineering, but have only recently been considered for systems engineering. In the Department of Defense (DOD), T&E is required for all acquisitions prior to transitioning into operations. As identified and described in this thesis, each of the patterns fits in …
Applying Hyperspectral Imaging To Heart Rate Estimation For Adaptive Automation, Joshua M. Splawn
Applying Hyperspectral Imaging To Heart Rate Estimation For Adaptive Automation, Joshua M. Splawn
Theses and Dissertations
Automation use continues to increase in Air Force systems with the goal of improving operator efficiency and effectiveness. Unfortunately, systems are often complex, potentially imposing increased mental task load on the operator, or placing the operator in a supervisory role where they can become dependent on automation. Adaptive automation is a proposed solution, where automation is triggered when an operator is overloaded, and disabled as the operator is underloaded. Changes in physiological measures have shown promise in triggering automation. Unfortunately heart rate measurement can be obtrusive and impractical in day-to-day operations. This research used the Air Force Multi-Attribute Task Battery …
Using Value-Focused Thinking As An Alternative Means Of Opportunity Assessment For Strategic Sourcing Applications, Andrew R. Myers
Using Value-Focused Thinking As An Alternative Means Of Opportunity Assessment For Strategic Sourcing Applications, Andrew R. Myers
Theses and Dissertations
In recent years, the Federal Government has attempted to utilize strategic sourcing to reduce acquisitions expenses. Currently accepted best practices for strategic sourcing developed in the private sector fail to account for the diverse and unique set of objectives present in public sector acquisitions. Value Focused Thinking was used to develop a hierarchy of values and objectives for the Air Force Civil Engineer Commodity Council (CECC) strategic sourcing program. This hierarchy represents the full range of program objectives, and was used to develop a value function useful for systematically evaluating service and commodity contract areas for strategic sourcing potential.
An Investigation And Analysis Of The Vestibulo-Ocular Reflex In A Vibration Environment, Daniel J. Uribe
An Investigation And Analysis Of The Vestibulo-Ocular Reflex In A Vibration Environment, Daniel J. Uribe
Theses and Dissertations
Forty years of innovations have greatly improved Helmet-Mounted Displays (HMDs) and their integration into military systems. However, a significant issue with HMDs is the effect of vibration and the associated Vestibulo-Ocular Reflex (VOR). When a human’s head is subject to low-frequency vibration, the VOR stabilizes the eye with respect to objects in the external environment. However, this response is inappropriate in HMDs as the display moves with the user’s head and the VOR blurs the image as it is projected on the human retina. Current compensation techniques suggest increasing the size of displayed graphics or text to compensate for the …
Modeling The Impact Of The Payload Alert Communications System (Pacs) On The Accuracy Of Conjunction Analysis, Landon B. Bastow
Modeling The Impact Of The Payload Alert Communications System (Pacs) On The Accuracy Of Conjunction Analysis, Landon B. Bastow
Theses and Dissertations
The Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) and the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) are jointly developing a system known as the Payload Alert Communications System (PACS) whose purpose is to decrease the statistical uncertainty in the location of resident space objects (RSOs). PACS is designed to augment the Joint Space Operations Center's (JSpOC) existing space object tracking capabilities which is expected to increase the accuracy of conjunction estimation. In the current PACS design, a small payload would be attached to certain RSOs prior their launch. It is envisioned that this payload would basically consist of a microcontroller, a Global …
Systems Engineering Applications For Small Business Innovative Research (Sbir) Projects, Phillip J. O'Connell
Systems Engineering Applications For Small Business Innovative Research (Sbir) Projects, Phillip J. O'Connell
Theses and Dissertations
This research defined Systems Engineering applications for Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) projects and answered five research questions addressing the essential elements and application of SE processes within the SBIR community. The research identified that current DoD and Air Force SE Policy do not specifically address SBIR projects. This research identified the need to tailor a SE approach for SBIR projects as overarching policy is not applicable in all cases. The culmination of this effort defined the current SE tasks applicable for the SBIR community.
A Systems Engineering Approach To The Design And Integration Of Microstrip Antennas With Wearable Wireless Devices, Daniel Gilbert Rucker
A Systems Engineering Approach To The Design And Integration Of Microstrip Antennas With Wearable Wireless Devices, Daniel Gilbert Rucker
Theses and Dissertations
Modern wireless systems for implantable and wearable Body Area Network (BAN) applications have reached an advanced stage of design and development not possible in previous generations. Systems engineering techniques allow for modern wireless devices to be developed in a top-down approach to meet the necessary design requirements while utilizing modular architectures. A modular systems architecture is developed to form a platform for BAN systems design. The BAN systems architecture defines the requirements, physical architecture, and operational architecture. The antenna component of the system is researched in detail and prototypes are developed to meet the requirements of implantable and wearable BAN …
Streamlining The Change-Over Protocol For The Rpa Mission Intelligence Coordinator By Way Of Situation Awareness Oriented Design And Discrete Event Simulation, John P. Machuca
Theses and Dissertations
Incredible loiter times coupled with the ability to make extremely detailed collections at significant stand-off distances with a relatively expendable platform has made demand for, and diversity of, Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) operations grow at voracious rates. Conversely, financial resources are becoming increasingly constrained. As such, innovators are looking to maximize the effectiveness of existing personnel and assets by considering concepts such as simultaneous Multiple Aircraft Control (MAC) by a single aircrew. Research has identified procedural inefficiencies in current operations as well as substantial impediments to MAC implementation, including dynamic task saturation and communication challenges. An identified inefficiency afflicting both …
Analysis Of The Impact Of Data Normalization On Cyber Event Correlation Query Performance, Smile T. Ludovice
Analysis Of The Impact Of Data Normalization On Cyber Event Correlation Query Performance, Smile T. Ludovice
Theses and Dissertations
A critical capability required in the operation of cyberspace is the ability to maintain situational awareness of the status of the infrastructure elements that constitute cyberspace. Event logs from cyber devices can yield significant information, and when properly utilized they can provide timely situational awareness about the state of the cyber infrastructure. In addition, proper Information Assurance requires the validation and verification of the integrity of results generated by a commercial log analysis tool. Event log analysis can be performed using relational databases. To enhance database query performance, previous literatures affirm denormalization of databases. Yet database normalization can also increase …