Air Warfare Research Articles

THE DOCTRINE OF AIR WARFARE BY GIULIO DOUHET IN THE SOVIET MILITARY-SCIENTIFIC JOURNALISM AND FICTION OF THE 1920S-30S

The article says about reflection of the doctrine of air warfare of Italian military theorist Giulio Douhet (1869-1930) in military, scientific, popular science and artistic literature in the USSR in 1920-30s, its criticism by Soviet specialists, discussions about the role of aviation in the wars-to-be. According to the said concept, the lack of military aircrafts, primarily bombers, might cost an entire war. Numerous Soviet leaders in the 1920s saw aviation as a formidable military force and as a kind of ‟locomotive” capable of driving industry, science and culture. It is logical that Giulio Douhet’s doctrine aroused their great interest. The works of the Italian general and some works of other foreign authors related to his doctrine, were repeatedly published in the USSR. Prominent military commanders and aviation specialists took part in their publication and discussion. Those disputes were intertwined with discussions about the role of aviation in the wars-to-be. Some authors believed that there was a rational grain in the doctrine of Giulio Douhet, and aviation could put enemy on the brink of defeat in short time. Others insisted on the need to prepare for a protracted war, where aviation would play an important role, but only as one of the means of struggle. As a result, the 1920s-30s’ discussion of Giulio Douhet’s theory in the USSR reflected significant aspects in the development of views on the tasks of the air fleet.

Culture: a sixth domain and the introduction of the ‘C6ISRT’ framework

ABSTRACT The traditional domains of land, sea, and air warfare have long held prominence, while space and cyberspace have recently gained recognition as spheres of conflict. As conflicts continue to evolve, the domains of war must expand to accommodate new dimensions of engagement and integrate them alongside those human-centred factors that have previously held considerable sway. It is imperative, therefore, to recognise culture as the sixth domain and reflect upon its profound influence on group thinking, decision-making, and behaviour. Integrating culture into the Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Cyber, Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance and Targeting (C5ISRT) framework acknowledges its strategic relevance in shaping military strategies and responses in an increasingly complex and interconnected world. This paradigm shift highlights that the modern landscape extends beyond physical and virtual theatres to encompass the cognitive and social dimensions that define human interactions and conflicts.

Investigation of the Roles of Functional Solvents in Performance Stability of High Voltage Lithium Batteries

Li-ion batteries (LIBs) have become prevalent for portable and large-scale applications, such as personal electronic devices, unmanned aircraft systems, electric vehicles, and power grids.1 However, LIBs are approaching an asymptotic limit in specific energy (~250 Wh kg-1 at cell level); therefore, they are insufficient to meet future applications that require higher battery specific energies.2 Ni-rich cathodes, such as LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2 (NMC811), have the potential to provide much higher specific energies for next-generation LIBs (e.g., >350 Wh kg-1) and, therefore, are considered the most promising low-cost cathode materials.3 Nevertheless, Ni-rich cathode based LIBs with conventional carbonate solvent based electrolytes face severe technical challenges, especially when cycled at high upper cutoff voltages, due to electrolyte decomposition, parasitic oxidation reactions at the electrolyte/cathode interface, irreversible phase changes in the cathodes, and dissolution of transition metals into electrolytes.4 Therefore, R&D efforts are needed to tackle the above technical challenges of Ni-rich cathode based LIBs before they become commercially viable.In our previous study,5 a ternary of fluorinated solvents was used to formulate a high voltage stable electrolyte (HVE) which was used in Ni-rich cathode based, high-voltage lithium batteries. These HVE-based batteries demonstrated a significant improvement in cycle stability when operated at a charge cutoff voltage of 4.5 V (vs Li/Li+). In this study, we investigated the roles of single-solvents and co-solvents in the cycle stability of the high-voltage lithium batteries. Several families of organic solvents, such as fluorinated carbonates and organosilicon based solvents were investigated. Our preliminary data showed that some unique combinations of the functional solvents could lead to exceptionally stable cycle performance in the high-voltage lithium batteries. We will discuss possible fundamental mechanisms responsible for the observed performance stability of the high-voltage lithium batteries using ex-situ XPS, density functional theory calculations, and other characterization techniques. References (1) Li, J.; Fleetwood, J.; Hawley, W. B.; Kays, W. From materials to cell: state-of-the-art and prospective technologies for lithium-ion battery electrode processing. Chemical Reviews 2021, 122 (1), 903-956.(2) Khan, F. N. U.; Rasul, M. G.; Sayem, A.; Mandal, N. K. Design and optimization of lithium-ion battery as an efficient energy storage device for electric vehicles: A comprehensive review. Journal of Energy Storage 2023, 71, 108033.(3) Xue, W.; Huang, M.; Li, Y.; Zhu, Y. G.; Gao, R.; Xiao, X.; Zhang, W.; Li, S.; Xu, G.; Yu, Y. Ultra-high-voltage Ni-rich layered cathodes in practical Li metal batteries enabled by a sulfonamide-based electrolyte. Nature Energy 2021, 6 (5), 495-505.(4) Yang, J.; Liang, X.; Ryu, H.-H.; Yoon, C. S.; Sun, Y.-K. Ni-Rich Layered Cathodes for Lithium-Ion Batteries: From Challenges to the Future. Energy Storage Materials 2023, 102969.(5) Poches, C.; Razzaq, A. A.; Studer, H.; Ogilvie, R.; Lama, B.; Paudel, T. R.; Li, X.; Pupek, K.; Xing, W. Fluorinated High-Voltage Electrolytes To Stabilize Nickel-Rich Lithium Batteries. ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces 2023, 15 (37), 43648-43655. Acknowledgement This work was supported by the following funding sources. The Larry and Linda Pearson Endowed Chair at the Department of Mechanical Engineering, South Dakoda School of Mines and Technology. The Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division, China Lake, CA under Contract No N6893622C0017. Any opinions, findings and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division, China Lake, CA. TP acknowledges the support from the SDBOR Governor Research Center for the Electrochemical Energy Storage and NASA EPSCOR-80NSSC23M0072.

Metamorphosis of Warfare

While humans are imperfect, machines have their limitations, too. Though humans cannot match the speed and accuracy of machines, the ideology, pride and will to dominate and rule are qualities only attributed to humans. The latter’s capability to change and evolve, opens new vistas of opportunities, innovations, integrations, and alignments, such as to deceive, distract, and defile the most invincible assailant. In this context, the fifth generation warfare marks a shift from conventional Clauswitzian understanding of war to the battle of ‘information and perception’. As for the generational concept in warfare, it depicts the evolution of war tactics enabled by advances in science and the accompanying growth in the sophistication of warfare tools. Today warfare relies less on the use of brute force and focuses more on non-kinetic means such as narrative, perception management, and asymmetric conflict to achieve political ends. This paper looks at the evolution of warfare from first to fifth generation. It also explores the latest war trends in land and air warfare and analyzes the hybrid and ‘Everywhere Battlefield’, which though marks technical superiority, yet points to a decline in humanity and human values.

Vom “Flugtraum” zum “Luftmord”: Der österreichische Luftdiskurs im Kontext des Ersten Weltkrieges

Abstract: This article looks at the literary and visual legacies of the development of weapons technologies and the prospect of aerial warfare in the early twentieth century, analyzing the literary and iconographic discourse on air warfare in the context of the First World War, as a development from “flight dream” to “air murder.” Even if Austria-Hungary represented a “remote province of international aerial activity” (F. P. Ingold), the rapid development of aerial technology in the form of aerodynamic airships and motorized flying machines did not go unnoticed there. Airspace acquires power as a political and military factor that is increasingly mobilized for national and imperial purposes. The article shows how these developments found their way into Austrian debates, literary production, and iconographic representation with reliance on the critical reading of texts and cartoons that announce something evil “in the air,” as if portending the use of air power in bombing civilian populations.

GROUND RADAR STEALTH BERBASIS MICROWAVE ABSORBER DALAM PERANG UDARA

This research background is based on scenario changes of war concepts from conventional to technology-based, where stealth is one of the technologies which is important in air warfare. This fact creates phenomena that show “There’s no stealth technology had been applied to protect Ground Radar Station as an enemy centre of gravity”, related to that research question which is formulated on how to design an adaptive “Ground Radar Stealth” (GRS) and why it is needed. All relevant theories used in this research are stealth, Radar, and Microwave Absorbers. Research Methode that being used is descriptive qualitative by comparing theories and using QFD as tools. In designing GRS some informants are involved such as military expert, academic, commander of fighter aircraft squadron and Radar. The result of this research is formulating a GRS design that had been adjusted with the theories to apply to GRS and is also useful. To make this research can be realised support in the form of funds, time, and cooperation from the Indonesian Air Force Itself and Academic sources are needed. Also, to optimize GRS design, it is suggested to create layers of defence like an Iron dome, but adjusted to the Indonesian Geographical environment

Inspiring Future Rocket Chemists: A Hands-On Instructional Event Highlighting the Role Chemistry plays in the Fundamentals of Rocketry

Motivational hands-on workshops for grade-school level future scientists are needed to inspire young and receptive minds. Described here is an educational event, titled “Inspiring Future Rocket Chemists”, with hands-on laboratory exercises demonstrating the fundamentals of rocket flight and live chemistry demonstrations illustrating the fundamentals of rocket propulsion. This event was developed for seventh and eighth grade students by the local Mojave Desert Section of the American Chemical Society and the China Lake Museum Foundation (CLMF). The CLMF is dedicated to educating the public and preserving the history of the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division’s contributions to our nation’s warfighters. The workshop was developed and led by experts currently working in or retired from the rocket science field. Four hands-on exercises and four demonstrations were performed with the students. The laboratory exercises and demonstrations covered topics including model rocket components and assembly, rocket stability, propulsion, safety, chemical reactions, gas generation, and catalysis in propellants. Two distinguishing characteristics of this event was the inclusion of fundamental principles of rocket science and emphasis on the interdisciplinary nature of the field. The event’s pedagogical goals were to motivate and inspire the participants in exploring the field of rocketry while teaching them the fundamental properties and important safety precautions for practicing rocketry. This event serves as the framework for future collaborative efforts between institutions for specialized workshops in topic areas not traditionally covered in student’s coursework. The effectiveness of the event was measured through student assessments and feedback at the conclusion of the event.

Taming the leviathans in the air: a geospatial analysis of anti-terrorism air warfare in Nigeria

Taming the leviathans in the air: a geospatial analysis of anti-terrorism air warfare in Nigeria

Military drones, air defence, and the hider-finder competition in air warfare

Military drones, air defence, and the hider-finder competition in air warfare

A mini review on UAV mission planning

<p style='text-indent:20px;'>With the increasing complexity of modern air warfare, an efficient and robust mission planning, which mainly includes task assignment and path planning, becomes the key issue to improve the combat efficiency. This paper reviews recent progress in UAV mission planning. First, basic concepts of UAVs and their mission planning problem are given. And several representative existing mission planning systems are briefly introduced. The constraints and objectives in the task assignment model are reviewed, and the pros and cons of algorithms commonly used are then summarized. After that, the algorithms for path planning are reviewed. Finally, we point out current problems and future research directions. The paper provides a comprehensive review of the field and enables a quick start for those who aim to do related research.</p>

Evaluating the Challenges and Potential Complications of Breastfeeding in Naval Aviation.

Active duty flight crew plays a critical role in military operations. The occupational demands of the flying environment require a certain level of medical suitability. Additionally, such an environment could be more hazardous for certain populations. While the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the World Health Organization strongly support exclusive breastfeeding for the health benefit of both the mother and the child in the first 6 months of life, the aeromedical implications of lactating are not widely discussed. Breastfeeding is inherently challenging for many women, in part because of the frequent emptying required to maintain breastmilk supply and avoid complications such as engorgement, clogged ducts, and mastitis. This pilot study evaluated the experiences of individuals concurrently breastfeeding while on active duty Naval flying status to (1) assess whether these individuals experience frequent challenges or complications associated with lactating and (2) establish the need for future expanded studies. This survey-based, retrospective, descriptive study evaluated the experiences of 17 lactating individuals on active duty Naval flying status. Women were recruited using word of mouth and social media platforms. Responses were tabulated and summarized from the survey, which included yes/no questions and free-response sections regarding flying position, breastfeeding history, and breastfeeding challenges. This trial was approved by the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD) Institutional Review Board (Protocol Number NAWCAD.2021.0004-IR-EP7). Of the 27 women who received study materials after expression of interest, 17 individuals completed the informed consent and survey protocols. Although limited by sample size and the demographics of respondents, the results highlight that the active duty flying environment did impact the breastfeeding experiences of the participants, with 88% of respondents reporting some difficulty or complication associated with breastfeeding and the operational flying environment. Difficulty in maintaining breastmilk supply, engorgement, and the need for supplementation were some of the concerns discussed. This study hypothesizes that occupational demands associated with aviation result in a decreased ability to maintain exclusive breastfeeding, an increased risk for engorgement and clogged ducts, and a higher likelihood of early weaning among Naval aviators. It included only the perspectives of Naval officers, thereby lacking the input of enlisted aircrew on flight status, who comprise a large population of active duty flyers. The responses, although limited by a lack of controls and survey limitations, indicate that a future study to expand understanding of the aeromedical implications on lactating individuals would be valuable for improving workplace support and the ultimate success of lactating women in meeting their breastfeeding goals.

Cooperative maneuver decision making for multi-UAV air combat based on incomplete information dynamic game

Cooperative autonomous air combat of multiple unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) is one of the main combat modes in future air warfare, which becomes even more complicated with highly changeable situation and uncertain information of the opponents. As such, this paper presents a cooperative decision-making method based on incomplete information dynamic game to generate maneuver strategies for multiple UAVs in air combat. Firstly, a cooperative situation assessment model is presented to measure the overall combat situation. Secondly, an incomplete information dynamic game model is proposed to model the dynamic process of air combat, and a dynamic Bayesian network is designed to infer the tactical intention of the opponent. Then a reinforcement learning framework based on multi-agent deep deterministic policy gradient is established to obtain the perfect Bayes-Nash equilibrium solution of the air combat game model. Finally, a series of simulations are conducted to verify the effectiveness of the proposed method, and the simulation results show effective synergies and cooperative tactics.

High Voltage Electrolytes to Stabilize Ni-Rich Lithium Battery Performance

State-of-the-art (SOA) lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries are approaching their specific energy density limit (~250 Wh kg−1).1 Layered structured, nickel-rich (Ni-rich or high Ni content) lithium transition metal oxides, e.g., LiNi0.8Mn0.1Co0.1O2 (NMC811), have attracted great interests2 owning to their practically deliverable high specific capacity >200 mAh/g. Coupled with high average discharge voltages (~4V vs. Li/Li+), Ni-rich cathode-based lithium batteries possess a great potential to achieve much higher specific energies, e.g., >350 Wh/kg at cell level targeted for electric drive vehicles,3 than SOA Li-ion batteries. In addition, Ni-rich oxides are economically viable as low-cost battery cathode materials due to their low cobalt content. However, Ni-rich cathode-based Li-ion batteries exhibit a quick capacity degradation upon cycling particularly at high charge cutoff voltages (e.g., 4.5V vs. Li/Li+) and at elevated temperatures. Possible degradation mechanisms of Ni-rich based Li cells include structural changes of the material (large c-axis shrinkage at high potentials)4 and parasitic reactions that arise from the interactions between the electrolytes and highly reactive delithiated cathode surface (due to high oxidation state Ni4+ ions).5,6 Therefore, R&D efforts are needed to tackle technical challenges facing the Ni-rick based Li batteries before they become commercially viable.We will present our efforts of developing high voltage electrolytes to afford stable electrochemical performance of Ni-rich cathode-based Li cells. Figure 1 shows the electrochemical performance of NMC-811 cathode, paired Li metal anode, in conventional Li-ion battery electrolyte (Baseline electrolyte) and the high voltage electrolyte developed in this study, evaluated at C/4 rate during the formation and 1 C rate during cycling, between 2.5V and 4.5V, at room temperature. The cell with the high voltage electrolyte maintained ~80% capacity retention after 400 cycles. In contract, the cell with the baseline electrolyte experieced a large capacity fade with only ~25% capacity retention after 400 cycles. The superior cycle stability of the high votage electrolyte, Ni-rich based cell is attributed to the inharently high-voltage stable, multi-functional. Electrolyte chemical structures and their correlation with the electrochemical stability will be discussed. References Chen, W.; Lei, T.; Qian, T.; Lv, W.; He, W.; Wu, C.; Liu, X.; Liu, J.; Chen, B.; Yan, C.; Xiong, J., Advanced Energy Materials 2018, 8 (12).Jiang, M.; Danilov, D. L.; Eichel, R.-A.; Notten, P. H. L., Advanced Energy Materials 2021, 11 (48), 2103005.Gomez‐Martin, A.; Reissig, F.; Frankenstein, L.; Heidbüchel, M.; Winter, M.; Placke, T.; Schmuch, R., Advanced Energy Materials 2022, 12 (8).Cho, D.-H.; Jo, C.-H.; Cho, W.; Kim, Y.-J.; Yashiro, H.; Sun, Y.-K.; Myung, S.-T., Journal of The Electrochemical Society 2014, 161 (6), A920-A926.Chen, C. H.; Liu, J.; Amine, K., Journal of Power Sources 2001, 96 (2), 321-328.Li, J.; Downie, L. E.; Ma, L.; Qiu, W.; Dahn, J. R., Journal of The Electrochemical Society 2015, 162 (7), A1401-A1408. Acknowledgement This material is based upon work supported by the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division, China Lake, CA under Contract No N6893622C0017. Any opinions, findings and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division, China Lake, CA. Figure 1

The Case of M/S Józef Conrad and Law of Air Warfare During the Vietnam War

Abstract On the 20th of December 1972, the Polish-flagged merchant vessel M/S Józef Conrad, anchored in the North Vietnam port of Haiphong, was hit by an air-delivered projectile in the Linebacker ii air campaign, also referred to as the ‘Christmas bombing’. The attack caused both loss of life and health among Polish sailors, and destroyed the ship itself. In 2020, the Polish Commissioner for Human Rights submitted a formal petition to the executive branch of the Polish government, highlighting that despite the fact that the act was a violation of the iccpr and udhr, neither legal actions nor diplomatic efforts were later undertaken on behalf of the victims. The statement of the High Commisioner did not examine the bombardment from the perspective of the law of air warfare, which is a pivotal precondition to determine the wrongfulness of the act in the light of international law.

Cooperative Multi-UAV Task Assignment in Cross-Regional Joint Operations Considering Ammunition Inventory

As combat missions become increasingly complex in both space and time, cross-regional joint operations (CRJO) is becoming an overwhelming trend in modern air warfare. How to allocate resources and missions prior to the operation becomes a central issue to improve the combat efficiency. In this paper, we focus on the cooperative mission planning of multiple heterogeneous unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in a CRJO. A multi-objective optimization problem is presented with the aim of minimizing the makespan while maximizing the value expectation obtained. Moreover, it is not mandatory for each UAV to return exactly to the base which it takes off. Furthermore, in addition to the constraints commonly found in UAV mission assignment problems, the ammunition inventory at each base is also taken into account. To solve such a problem, we developed an improved genetic algorithm (IGA) with a novel chromosome encoding format. It can determine the number of attacks on a given target based on the expectations obtained, rather than being predetermined. Specifically, an efficient logic-based unlocking mechanism is designed for the crossover and mutation operations in the algorithm. Simulation results show that the developed IGA can efficiently solve the considered problem. Through numerical experimental comparisons, the algorithm proposed in this work is superior to other existing IGA-like algorithms in terms of computational efficiency.

Swarms of Pirates: Red Team Exercises Using Autonomous High-Speed Maneuvering Surface Vessels

We present a final overview of the efforts by the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division (NAWCWD) and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory to automate the operation of the largest fleet of autonomous maritime vehicles. The vehicles are intended for large-scale demonstrations and tests of US Navy systems or tactics. This review covers a preexisting distributed architecture for human-in-the-loop control of several autonomous high-speed boats with a main focus on the planning, formation assignment, and formation switching pipeline. Algorithm capabilities are described and validated in simulation and field tests using real-world vehicles. Theoretical lower bounds on the time required to change formations are also derived and used to bound our experimental performance. We are able to present data from the 2019 “final exam” that pitted this architecture in a head-to-head competition, which was won after a perfect run with no hazardous maneuvers recorded under autonomous control. The effort concluded successfully on December 31, 2020, with the delivery of code and documentation after successful integration and testing exercises in 2019 and 2020. We conclude the paper with discussions of limitations, extensions, and suggestions for future work.

Record-breaking molecular magnet

By coupling a pair of lanthanide ions within the same compound, researchers have created what they believe are the most magnetic molecules ever made ( Science 2022, DOI: 10.1126/science.abl5470 ). “By all the traditional metrics of single-molecule magnets, they’re the best,” Nicholas Chilton says of the new molecules. Chilton, who’s based at the University of Manchester, collaborated on the work with Jeffrey Long at the University of California, Berkeley, and Benjamin Harvey at the US Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division. Although the molecules’ magnetism reveals itself only at low temperatures, Chilton hopes that these dilanthanide complexes might pave the way for new types of powerful yet lightweight permanent magnets. “This really is a very, very important piece of work,” says Roberta Sessoli of the University of Florence, a pioneer of single-molecule magnets who was not involved in the project. “This is something that is going to remain as a

War in the Air from Spain to Yemen: The Challenges in Examining the Conduct of Air Bombardment

Abstract Air power is a dominant factor in both past and modern battlespace. Yet, despite its undisputed importance in warfare, its legal framework did not correspond with the significance of the air military operations, especially before the adoption of the Additional Protocol I to the Geneva Conventions of 1977. Even after this date, not all the particulars of air warfare are regulated by the positive rules, as the law is scattered in norms of customary character. Even more challenging process than reconstruction of the legal architecture of the air warfare is the evaluation of the specific incidents containing the elements of military aviation activity. The aim of the article is to present possible challenges arising from very complex normative and operational background of the air warfare and air bombardments in particular. The pivotal point in considerations is the forgotten inquiry conducted by the military experts operating within the established by the League of Nations commission reviewing the conduct of air bombardment during the Civil War in Spain. The adopted methodology of the commission could be considered as a reasonable and balanced approach of analyzing the cases including the involvement of the air power and a relevant reference in contemporary investigations.

Air Warfare in the Struggle to Defend Indonesian Independence: Strategy and Impact of Coercive Power by Means of Air Strike against the Dutch on 29 July 1947

Air Warfare in the Struggle to Defend Indonesian Independence: Strategy and Impact of Coercive Power by Means of Air Strike against the Dutch on 29 July 1947

Processing, Adhesion and Corrosion-inhibiting Properties of Poly[2-methoxy-5-(2’-ethylhexyloxy)-1,4-phenylene vinylene], (MEH-PPV) on Aerospace Aluminum Alloys

Researchers at the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division (NAWCWD) and Wright-Patterson Air Force Base (WPAFB) investigated poly[2-methoxy-5-(2’-ethylhexyloxy)-1,4-phenylene vinylene], (MEH-PPV) for its potential corrosion-inhibition properties on aerospace aluminum alloy AA2024-T3. Solution processing of the polymer, as well as adhesion testing and accelerated weathering tests were performed on MEH-PPV full military aerospace coatings. Wet and dry tape adhesion testing, as well as pencil hardness, impact flexibility and pneumatic adhesion tensile test instrument (PATTI) testing were used to demonstrate the adhesion performance of MEH-PPV on aluminum substrates. The results showed that MEH-PPV had acceptable adhesion characteristics when compared to hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) based coatings in all of these tests. Accelerated weathering analysis was performed on MEH-PPV coatings to determine their corrosion protection and weathering resistance capabilities. These tests included neutral salt spray (NSS) exposure and xenon-arc lamp testing. The results showed that while MEH-PPV does not exhibit significant color change after 500 hours of xenon arc lamp exposure, the polymer has poor corrosion protection performance under aggressive salt environments.