Area Denial Research Articles

Defending an Asset: A Linear Quadratic Game Approach

Techniques based on pursuit-evasion (PE) games are often applied in military operations of autonomous vehicles (AV) in the presence of mobile targets. Recently with increasing use of AVs, new scenarios emerge such as surveillance and persistent area denial. Compared with PE games, the actual roles of the pursuer and the evader have changed. In these emerging scenarios the evader acts as an intruder striking at some asset; at the same time the pursuer tries to destroy the intruder to protect the asset. Due to the presence of an asset, the PE game model with two sets of players (pursuers and evaders) is no longer adequate. We call this new problem a game of defending an asset(s) (DA). In this paper we study DA games under the framework of a linear quadratic (LQ) formulation. Three different DA games are addressed: 1) defending a stationary asset, 2) defending a moving asset with an arbitrary trajectory, and 3) defending an escaping asset. Equilibrium game strategies of the players are derived for each case. A repetitive scheme is proposed for implementation of the LQ strategies, and we demonstrate with simulations that the LQ strategies based on the repetitive implementation can provide good control guidance laws for DA games.

Pop-up threat models for persistent area denial

Pop-up threats usually appear or disappear randomly in a battle field. If the next pop-up threat locations could be predicted it would assist a search or attack team, such as in a persistent area denial (PAD) mission, in getting a team of unmanned air vehicles (UAVs) to the threats sooner. We present a Markov model for predicting pop-up ground threats in military operations. We first introduce a general Markov chain of order n to capture the dependence of the appearance of pop-up threats at previous locations of the pop-up threats over time. We then present an adaptive approach to estimate the stationary transition probabilities of the nth order Markov models. To choose the order of the Markov chain model for a specific application, we suggest using hypothesis tests from statistical inference on historical data of pop-up threat locations. Anticipating intelligent responses from an adversary, which might change its pop-up threat deployment strategy upon observing UAV movements, we present adaptive Markov chain models using a moving horizon approach to estimate possibly abrupt changes in transition probabilities. We combine predicted and actual pop-up target locations to develop efficient cooperative strategies for networked UAVs. A theoretical analysis and simulation results are presented to evaluate the Markov model used for predicting pop-up threats. These results demonstrate the effectiveness of cooperative strategies using the combined information of threats and predicted threats in improving overall mission performance.

National Security And Threat Awareness

Today’s ubiquitous technology environment has brought about a change in the threats posed to National Security. As we continue to move from a hierarchical, industrial-based society to a networked, information-based and technology-dependent society, our political, economic, social and technical bases continue to evolve. This has led to a change in both the vulnerabilities of Nations and their infrastructures and in the threats that they may suffer. The emergence of a new crime context has, obviously, opened the way to a new kind of criminal activity: info-terrorism. The most effective tactic that info-terrorists have is to focus the use of Weapons of Mass Destruction not on physical destruction but on area denial or economic damage. Information denial, distortion or theft can be much more destructive than waging a traditional mechanical war. Unfortunately, the proliferation of the Internet and other means of data retrieval, as well as the pervasiveness of information technology have not only facilitated the work of Intelligence experts in both the corporate and the State environments but have also aided the epidemic of cyber-crime. Such a complex scenario has switched the focus from Information Security to Information Process Security (IPS). In order to guarantee the integrity of IPS, it is paramount that employee threat awareness is promoted at all levels. This new challenge offers the opportunity to re-think Security Awareness Programs through the management, measurement and the benchmarking of the processes and techniques. The globalization of information retrieval and transfer bring about the need to create a solid front against these threats. This front should be made up of a network of Government and private sector agencies and should be oriented towards the research, development and implementation of measures that will counter the hazard of Information warfare.

Security Dilemmas in Scandinavia. Evaporated Nuclear Options and Indigenous Conventional Capabilities

'Nordic stability' constitutes a political dissuasion against increased superpower involvement. So long as nuclear weapons have not been used, a conventional area denial capability provides Sweden the ability to withstand nuclear blackmail. A mix of deterrence and assurances vis-à-vis the Soviet Union characterizes Danish and Norwegian security policies. The evaporation of Norwegian and Danish nuclear options has resulted in a complex defence posture of 'maybe-no-first-use' of tactical nuclear weapons with the goal of raising the nuclear threshold. This has enhanced Finnish security by diminishing the possibility that nuclear weapons would be deployed in areas adjacent to the Soviet north-west. The basic challenge of Finnish security policy is to avoid a conflict of interests with her superpower neighbour. It is vital for Finland that Moscow's 'Swedish assumption' does not change.