Defense Sector Research Articles

Unlabeled learning algorithms and operations: overview and future trends in defense sector

In the defense sector, artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) have been used to analyse and decipher massive volumes of data, namely for target recognition, surveillance, threat detection and cybersecurity, autonomous vehicles and drones guidance, and language translation. However, there are key points that have been identified as barriers or challenges, especially related to data curation. For this reason, and also due to the need for quick response, the defense sector is looking for AI technologies capable of successfully processing and extracting results from huge amounts of unlabelled or very poorly labelled data. This paper presents an in-depth review of AI/ML algorithms for unsupervised or poorly supervised data, and machine learning operations (MLOps) techniques that are suitable for the defense industry. The algorithms are divided according to their nature, meaning that they either focus on techniques, or on applications. Techniques can belong to the supervision spectrum, or focus on explainability. Applications are either focused on text processing or computer vision. MLOps techniques, tools and practices are then discussed, revealing approaches and reporting experiences with the objective of declaring how to make the operationalization of ML integrated systems more efficient. Despite many contributions from several researchers and industry, further efforts are required to construct substantially robust and reliable models and supporting infrastructures for AI systems, which are reliable and suitable for the defense sector. This review brings up-to-date information regarding AI algorithms and MLOps that will be helpful for future research in the field.

Characterization of Fiber Metal Laminates for the Development of Subsea Housing

Fiber Metal Laminates (FML) are hybrid composites comprising metals and Fiber Reinforced Plastics (FRP). FMLs are the most widely used in aerospace, defence and automotive sectors due to their superior qualities like light weight, tensile, compression, flexural, excellent fatigue and impact resistance. The properties like strength-to-weight ratio, susceptibility to corrosion and good heat conduction of FML make it suitable for subsea applications. Commonly, FML with a combination of aluminium (Al), titanium (Ti), stainless steel (SS) alloys and FRP are widely used for ocean applications. Compared to other FML, the SS alloy-based FML is typically used in subsea applications as it has more creep and excellent corrosion resistance. In India, under the Ocean Acoustics programme of the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT), an autonomous underwater Ambient Noise Measurement System (ANMS) has been developed and deployed in the shallow waters of Indian seas for the past 12 years to study the background noise prevailing in the sea. To accommodate electronics and power packs for the measurement of ambient noise at an ocean depth of 100 m, subsea housing with stainless steel 316L (SS316L) material for a pressure rating of 1 MPa has been developed. The objective of this study is to develop the FML with SS316L and FRP for reducing the weight of the housing. Based on the literature studies and Classical Laminate Theory (CLT), the FML has been fabricated as a 0.45 m (450 mm) panel with a sequence of SS316L as outer layers and E-glass fibre and carbon as the inner layers. The total thickness of the laminates is 0.006 m (6 mm). The developed FMLs are processed with water jet cutting machines to carry out various testing such as tensile, compression and flexural, which are relevant to the characterization of FML and the experimental results are described in the paper.

Independence of the Indonesian Defense Industry and Challenges in Defense Budget Allocation

This research aims to explore key issues related to Indonesia's economic potential, particularly its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) reaching US$9.3 trillion. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) projections indicate that by 2030, Indonesia will be one of the top economic powers, competing with India and Brazil. The primary focus of the research is the defense sector as a strategic potential requiring a proactive response. The research objectives involve exploring the level of self-sufficiency in the defense industry, understanding challenges related to defense budget allocation, and identifying factors influencing global competitiveness. The research methodology is descriptive with a qualitative document-based approach, specifically focusing on strategic State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) within Defense ID, such as PT Len, PT Pindad, PT PAL, PT DI, and PT Dahana. Data analysis encompasses information from these SOEs, utilizing theoretical frameworks including Competitive Theory, Penta-Helix Theory, Defense Industry Cluster Concept, and Central Government Budgeting Model. Research findings indicate that SOEs within Defense ID can be considered self-sufficient in the global defense industry competitiveness. However, it is noteworthy that the Defense Budget allocation is still below 1% of the GDP, creating its own challenges. The conclusion of the research is that Indonesia has significant potential to develop a self-reliant defense industry capable of global competition. Recommendations include enhancing collaboration, developing Pentahelix or Septahelix concepts, and implementing Defense Industry Clustering to improve innovation, efficiency, and competitiveness in the sector. Additionally, the Defense Budget Allocation Policy significantly influences the progress of this industry, requiring proactive measures to ensure alignment with the desired economic growth. Thus, the research findings provide a foundation for the Government, Stakeholders, and Future Researchers to develop strategies and policies supporting optimal growth in the Indonesian Defense sector.

THE INFLUENCE OF MILITARY-SPORTS ALL-AROUND TRAINING ON THE HEALTH OF CADETS OF THE SECURITY AND DEFENSE SECTOR

The experience of combat operations in the anti-terrorist operation in the east of Ukraine and the war of the russian federation against Ukraine proved the need to develop and improve the military-applied physical skills of servicemen in moving on the battlefield, overcoming obstacles in full equipment and means of ballistic protection, firing small arms from various positions, throwing grenades, close combat (especially all-style combat). There are different approaches to the content of special physical training of cadets. The influence of military-sports all-around training on the health of cadets of the security and defense sector. The results of the study demonstrate a statistically significant improvement in the level of physical health of EG cadets. No statistically significant changes were noted in the representatives of the CG.

Prospects for improving the special physical training of the cadets of the Security Service of Ukraine

Abstract. The change in the military and political situation in the world, the appearance of new types of weapons, the latest approaches to the conduct of hostilities, the constant arms race - this requires us to constantly change approaches and improve the training of military professionals, increase the requirements for their physical and mental readiness to perform tasks as assigned . Carrying out a number of reforms in the training of military specialists of the security and defense sector requires us to analyze and fundamentally change the training programs of combat training, taking into account the latest approaches, forms and methods of using troops. The formation of the national security system of Ukraine takes place at the expense of the multi-vector work of all branches of government. The Security Service of Ukraine plays a significant role in the defense capability of the state in many areas of work, namely: it carries out information and analytical work in the interests of the effective conduct of internal and external activities by state authorities and management of Ukraine, solving problems of defense, socio-economic construction, scientific and technical progress, ecology and other issues related to the national security of Ukraine. One of the important factors is the training of qualified professionals, and especially the formation of important physical qualities for high-quality performance of assigned tasks.
 Physical training is organized and conducted taking into account the tasks assigned to the units and bodies of the SBU and the specifics of their official activities, geographical conditions, the level of preparedness of the personnel, as well as the experience of conducting special operations and exercises in the interests of ensuring the security of Ukraine. Special physical training plays a significant role in the training of military personnel. Implementation of tasks is achieved in classes by working out exercises in physical and fire training, educational and training meetings, training in shooting ranges and on training grounds, classes in sports sections, holding competitions in official and applied sports and other types of sports.

Analysis of Ukraine’s external military-economic relations during the war with Russia

The relevance of this study is determined by the need to identify the consequences of the war for the economy and the prospects for the development of military-economic relations between Ukraine and other countries. The purpose of this study was to investigate the dynamics of the volume and structure of Ukraine’s foreign economic relations during the wartime period and to outline future ways of expanding Ukraine’s foreign activities. To fulfil this purpose, the following methods were used: statistical data analysis; comparison; graphical; and data generalisation. The main results obtained in this paper include the identification of the dynamics of volumes and goods that occupy a considerable part of Ukraine’s exports and imports after the beginning of the Russian invasion in 2014; analysis of the geographical structure of foreign trade and trends in trade with the European Union in 2013-2022; assessment of the commodity and geographical structure of exports and transfers of defence goods from Ukraine in 2014-2021; determining Ukraine’s share in the total volume of exports and imports of defence-related items, the main consumers of exported products, and tracking changes in this share over 2018-2022 compared to 2013-2017; analysis of defence imports in the first half of 2023; substantiation of the proposal to develop the production of defence items, namely drones and long-range missiles, which can be used both to increase the protection of Ukraine’s territory and to strengthen the country’s position in the international market for the export of weapons and equipment during and after the war. The results and conclusions are of practical importance for the Government of Ukraine in developing areas for the development of the country’s defence sector and military-economic relations with other countries

UV-Induced Spectral and Morphological Changes in Bacterial Spores for Inactivation Assessment.

The ability to detect and inactivate spore-forming bacteria is of significance within, for example, industrial, healthcare, and defense sectors. Not only are stringent protocols necessary for the inactivation of spores but robust procedures are also required to detect viable spores after an inactivation assay to evaluate the procedure's success. UV radiation is a standard procedure to inactivate spores. However, there is limited understanding regarding its impact on spores' spectral and morphological characteristics. A further insight into these UV-induced changes can significantly improve the design of spore decontamination procedures and verification assays. This work investigates the spectral and morphological changes to Bacillus thuringiensis spores after UV exposure. Using absorbance and fluorescence spectroscopy, we observe an exponential decay in the spectral intensity of amino acids and protein structures, as well as a logistic increase in dimerized DPA with increased UV exposure on bulk spore suspensions. Additionally, using micro-Raman spectroscopy, we observe DPA release and protein degradation with increased UV exposure. More specifically, the protein backbone's 1600-1700 cm-1 amide I band decays slower than other amino acid-based structures. Last, using electron microscopy and light scattering measurements, we observe shriveling of the spore bodies with increased UV radiation, alongside the leaking of core content and disruption of proteinaceous coat and exosporium layers. Overall, this work utilized spectroscopy and electron microscopy techniques to gain new understanding of UV-induced spore inactivation relating to spore degradation and CaDPA release. The study also identified spectroscopic indicators that can be used to determine spore viability after inactivation. These findings have practical applications in the development of new spore decontamination and inactivation validation methods.

Non-destructive techniques for corrosion detection: A review

Corrosion detection (CD) has become a high priority in chemical industries, defense and transportation sectors to extend the life of existing or new systems while ensuring the safety of the existing components and reducing downtime to minimise economic losses. Here, this article is aimed to review and discuss non-destructive techniques used widely in the industry to detect, monitor and repair corrosion problems early on. The comprehensive review provides a detailed discussion, a functional mechanism, advantages and disadvantages of crucial non-destructive CD techniques widely used in the industry, helping the reader choose the type of corrosion monitoring methods effectively. An extensive literature review of visual and optical testing techniques, acoustic emissions, eddy current, guided wave and equipment, infrared thermography, radiographic, microwave and millimeter wave, and terahertz imaging is discussed. The underlying mechanism, its merits and limitations, along with the usage scenario, is explained that can be related across different areas making it interdisciplinary research for corrosion monitoring techniques.

Assessing R&D Investment Policy in the Indonesian Defense Sector: Towards Long-Term Sustainability

The research examines the current state of research and development (R&D) investment policies in the Indonesian defense sector, focusing on their sustainability and long-term impact. It uses institutional, implementation, network, and innovation diffusion theories and secondary data analysis. The findings reveal institutional influences, challenges in implementation, bureaucratic coordination, and measures to enhance long-term sustainability. Historical, cultural, and regulatory factors influence R&D policies, while limited resources make implementation difficult. The study emphasizes the importance of collaboration between the public and private sectors and continuous monitoring and evaluation. The findings provide recommendations for fostering innovation, overcoming challenges, and ensuring the sector's resilience.

Financing of the armed forces of Ukraine under the conditions of the state of martial: the European integration vector

In the conditions of Russian aggression, the state of funding of the Armed Forces of Ukraine is important in view of the direct impact on the outcome of hostilities, the future of European countries, and on the further advancement of Ukraine through European integration.
 The basis of the administrative and legal regulation of the financing of the security and defense sector, including the Armed Forces, is: the Military Security Strategy of Ukraine, the National Security Strategy of Ukraine, the Law of Ukraine “On National Security of Ukraine”, annual laws “On the State Budget of Ukraine”.
 As a result of the conducted analysis, it was established that during 2016–2021, budget financing of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine amounted to 2.1–2.4% of GDP or 2.5–2.9 billion dollars. the USA, while the amount of expenditures for similar purposes in the USA is 600–650 billion dollars, in China – 215–250 billion dollars, in the aggressor country – 70 billion dollars. Only in 2022, the specified volume of expenditures in Ukraine reached 21%, approximately the same amount is planned to be financed in 2024 (1,693 billion UAH).
 Among the main problems in the field of financing the Armed Forces, the following are highlighted: the budget of Ukraine is not a development budget; the amount of budget expenditures depends on charity, humanitarian and international technical assistance; inefficient structure of defense budget expenditures; lack of objective opportunities for growth of own income sources.
 These shortcomings became one of the reasons for Ukraine’s unpreparedness to protect its borders and significant losses during the Russian aggression during 2022-2023. This convinces of the need to comply with the current legislation of Ukraine, which combines the administrative-legal and financial- legal principles of regulation of the sphere of security and defense in Ukraine, including the Armed Forces. It is possible to achieve an increase in the volume of income sources in Ukraine through the modernization of the defense-industrial complex. Transfers from the EU remain important and necessary - this confirms the necessity of the European integration vector for the further development of our Another way to overcome the identified problems is the attraction of direct foreign investments for post-war reconstruction through the removal of regulatory levers. Along with state domestic financing and attracting private capital, Ukraine will need financing of infrastructure projects from relevant EU funds (as public funds), which requires maximum transparency, accountability and control.

МІЖНАРОДНА ТОРГІВЛЯ ЗБРОЄЮ В КОНТЕКСТІ ТЕХНОЛОГІЧНИХ ІННОВАЦІЙ

Innovative technology development is an integral part of the qualitative changes taking place in the defense industry. Research in the field of defense poses a dilemma for scientists: on the one hand, access to military discourse should remain confidential; on the other hand, research in the social sciences should fully cover the results and make them understandable. The purpose of the study: to highlight the mechanism of international arms trade and the dependence of its characteristics on the level of development of innovative technologies in the defense sector of individual countries. The subject of the study: features and mechanisms of the global arms market functioning depending on the development of technological innovations in the defense industry. Methods used in the study: stimulating reflection, analysis and synthesis, historical, dialectical, systematic, logical. Research hypothesis: it is assumed that innovations in the defense industry lead to changes in the structural characteristics of the global arms market. Summary of the main material: the nine largest exporters in the international arms market are identified, and the latest trends in the global arms market are analyzed. Based on the data on preliminary orders and final negotiations, forecasts of trends in the development of international arms trade in the near future are made. The key breakthrough technologies that will form the basis for the future development of the defense industry and the global arms market are highlighted. Originality and practical significance of the study: an in-depth analysis of the mechanisms of the international arms market functioning was carried out, and possible trends in its development were identified. Conclusions: the peculiarities of the international arms market functioning are as follows: difficulties in controlling commodity transactions and technological exchanges, non-transparency of registration and verification of export-import operations, which results in a limited number of producers and exporters dominating it. Innovative defense technologies have led to the development of a number of new areas of the international arms market. Outsourcing is highlighted as an important trend in the development of the arms market. Prospects for further research: are to highlight the peculiarities of the impact of each of the breakthrough technologies on changes in the global arms market.

Hybrid Navigation Acceptability and Safety

Autonomous vessels have emerged as a prominent and accepted solution, particularly in the naval defence sector. However, achieving full autonomy for marine vessels demands the development of robust and reliable control and guidance systems that can handle various encounters with manned and unmanned vessels while operating effectively under diverse weather and sea conditions. A significant challenge in this pursuit is ensuring the autonomous vessels' compliance with the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGs). These regulations present a formidable hurdle for the human-level understanding by an autonomous systems as they were originally designed from common navigation practices created since the mid-19th century. Their ambiguous language assumes experienced sailors' interpretation and execution and, therefore, demands a high-level (cognitive) understanding of language and agent intentions that are beyond the capabilities of current state-of-the-art of intelligent system. This position paper highlights the critical requirement of a trustworthy control and guidance system and explores the complexities of adapting COLREGs for safe vessel-on-vessel encounters considering autonomous maritime technology competing and/or cooperating with manned vessels.

Law enforcement of electronic government in the context of public-private partnership in the state security and defense sector

The article is devoted to the study of the law enforcement of electronic governance in the context of public-private partnership in the security and defense sector of the state. It was concluded that the application of electronic governance will be associated with general features of the use of digital technologies in the activities of public administration and special features mediated by public-private partnership in the security and defense sector of the state. It is noted that electronic governance is a concept of regulating social relations based on the use of digital technologies.
 It has been established that the key characteristic of e-governance is digitization management with an emphasis on the needs of the citizen. Attention is focused on the fact that the specifics of the law enforcement of e-governance of public-private partnership in the security and defense sector of the state is mediated by the possibility of using digital technologies as regulators of social relations related to ensuring the proper state of security of the state and its national interests.
 It was determined that the application of e-governance measures is an integral component of the national security of the state as a whole and the application of public-private partnership tools.
 It was established that the following should implement their activities based on the principles of electronic governance: 1) bodies authorized to regulate activities related to public-private partnership as a whole; 2) bodies acting as a party to public-private partnership in the security and defense sector of the state.
 The thesis that the degree of application of electronic governance tools in the public-private partnership in the security and defense sector will vary depending on the status of the entity that will act as a party to contractual relations from the state side is substantiated.
 It is concluded that finding a balance between the use of digital tools that allow to simplify public access to the activities of public institutions during the implementation of public-private partnerships with the obligation not to disclose activities in this context will always lean towards the functional purpose of protecting the state over ideas digital transformation.

Gender Equality in Wartime: How War Changed the Role of Women in Society

The article analyzes the current state and promising ways of ensuring gender equality in the defense and security forces of Ukraine. The aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine, the resulting violation of territorial integrity, sovereignty, encroachment on Ukraine’s independence, brought to the fore the issue of overcoming gender stereotypes, establishing equality, and combating gender-based and sexual violence both in Ukraine and around the world. In these conditions, first of all, the state policy regarding the development of the Armed Forces of Ukraine was revised. This article focuses on the issues of military service from the point of view of equal rights, opportunities and equal value of the results of the activities of men and women. “Stereotyping” of their roles in resolving armed conflicts is one of the reasons for gender inequality within the security and defense sector of Ukraine. The author analyzed the number of armed forces of some foreign countries for genetic equality. Some countries already have female (or predominantly female) units, however, regular armies rarely involve them in direct combat. It is concluded that women play a significant role in the modern Ukrainian army, and recent events, in particular Russian aggression against Ukraine, continue to create instability in the world. And in such difficult conditions, our state, most likely, will have to exist for quite a long time. Therefore, it would be possible to significantly strengthen the defense capability of the country by attracting women to mandatory military service. The article also draws attention to the fact that in modern conditions there is a steady trend towards a significant increase in the number of women, the geography of the positions held by female servicemen is expanding significantly, but in order to ensure gender equality in the Armed Forces, the legislator must still improve the mechanism for taking into account the characteristics of social gender under time of military service. Moreover, the understanding of gender equality in the military should become established - not as a mechanical identification of men and women, but as taking into account the specifics of the capabilities of one or another social gender to effectively perform their official duties in certain positions with the most positive result.

Numerical investigation on effect of different projectile nose shapes on ballistic impact of additively manufactured AlSi10Mg alloy

In the last few years, due to the superior mechanical qualities of Additive Manufacturing (AM) AlSi10Mg alloy to those of traditional casting process AlSi10Mg alloys, the application of AM technology has significantly increased. The ballistic impact research has a wide range of uses, notably in the mining, construction, spacecraft and defence sectors. This work focuses on analyzing the behavior of different projectile nose shapes on the AlSi10Mg alloy fabricated by AM. There are several projectile nose forms to consider, including blunt, hemispherical, conical, and ogive shapes. The impact of various projectile shapes on the ballistic limit of the additively created AlSi10Mg alloy is carefully examined in this study. All numerical simulations were carried out using LS-DYNA software, and the Johnson-Cook material and damage model were considered to assess the ballistic resistance behavior. The ballistic limit for various projectile shapes is computed using the Jonas-Lambert model, which describes the connection between residual velocity and starting projectile velocity. The results showed that, the ogive-shaped Projectile offers the highest ballistic limit, and the blunt projectile shows the lowest ballistic limit for a 5 mm thin target plate. The ballistic impact phenomenon showed plugging failure for the blunt nose projectile, the formation of plug and small fragments were observed in the case of hemispherical nose projectile, fragmenting failure is observed with radial necking in the case of conical nose projectile and petals are formed at the impacted zone in ogive nose shape projectile. Moreover, the ballistic limit of AM AlSi10Mg alloy was slightly higher compared to the ballistic limit of the die-cast AlSi10Mg alloy for the 7.62 mm AP bullet (core). Therefore, AM AlSi10Mg alloy may have equal or good ballistic properties compared to die-cast AlSi10Mg alloy.

Formation of the readiness of future officers to perform assigned tasks with an emphasis on the use of highly functional complexes of physical exercises

Today, improving the system of professional training of future officers of institutions of the security and defense sector of Ukraine is a priority task. The development of modern methods, organizational and pedagogical conditions, the construction of effective and highly functional pedagogical models contributes to the intensification of the training of officer personnel, which will ensure in the future the effective, high-quality and reliable performance of assigned tasks by them and subordinate personnel.
 Research methods: idealization, formalization, axiomatic, historical and logical, descent from concrete. In the process of research and experimental work, the experience of combat operations was used, as well as the experience of organizing the system of physical and special physical training of servicemen of institutions of the security and defense sector of Ukraine. The main tasks of scientific research: to conduct an analysis of scientific-methodical and special literature in the direction of forming the readiness of future officers for professional activity; to conduct an analysis of special and reference literature in the direction of organizing the system of physical and special physical training of representatives of the studied category.
 As a result of a theoretical study, the members of the scientific research group developed organizational and pedagogical conditions for the formation of the readiness of future officers of the institutions of the security and defense sector of Ukraine to perform assigned tasks with an emphasis on the use of highly functional complexes of physical exercises (in the system of special physical training).

The anatomy of COVID mortality in Russia’s regions, 2020–22

ABSTRACT Counterfactual estimates of excess deaths in Russian regions in the period 2020–21 are compared with officially reported COVID deaths to analyse underreporting. COVID mortality levels at the end of years 2020 and 2021 as well as annual growth during 2021 and the first half of 2022 reveal that COVID is a real threat to high labour productivity regions and those with relatively bigger defence and civilian sectors. Corruption lowers COVID mortality growth, suggesting a public health system where better care is obtained informally. Improved access to a doctor just before the pandemic lowered the level of mortality during the worst year (2021) but did not impact the mortality growth or the mortality level in 2020. Better prevention of any virus including COVID in the future would include more regionally decentralised vaccine and testing initiatives to boost compliance plus a fundamentally reformed health system that includes access to foreign-made vaccines and higher quality mortality data.

A REVIEW ON LIGHT WEIGHT, BULLET PROOF AND FIRE PROOF MATERIALS FOR DEFENSE SECTOR: Existing and Succeeding Developments

A REVIEW ON LIGHT WEIGHT, BULLET PROOF AND FIRE PROOF MATERIALS FOR DEFENSE SECTOR: Existing and Succeeding Developments

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The relevance of the study of the theoretical and organisational foundations of interaction between the components of the security and defence sector in the planning and implementation of territorial defence measures is proved. The content of preparation for territorial defence measures is revealed. The tasks of organising interaction in territorial defence are defined. The tasks of territorial defence, which are performed jointly by the components of the security and defence sector, are investigated. Directions for further scientific research are provided.

Assessing The Strategic Imperatives and Future Trajectory of Pakistan's Defense Industry Development

Introduction: Understanding the critical drivers behind the advancement of Pakistan's defense industry requires a thorough assessment of key factors. These include geopolitical dynamics, security threats, technological innovations, economic conditions, and national defense policies. Such an analysis reveals the pressing need for Pakistan to strengthen its defense industry. Methodology: The study employs a forward-looking examination to delineate the probable course of Pakistan's defense industry in the coming years. This involves evaluating emerging trends, potential opportunities, foreseeable challenges, and strategic imperatives poised to influence the sector's growth and evolution. Results/Findings: The analysis highlights various factors influencing the development of Pakistan's defense industry, including the adoption of cutting-edge technologies, allocation of defense budgets, engagement in international partnerships, leveraging domestic capabilities, and navigating the shifting political landscape. These insights provide a comprehensive understanding of the present state, obstacles, and future potential of Pakistan's defense sector. Future Direction: The research underscores the importance of informed decision-making in defense policy formulation, strategic investments, fostering technological innovation, and forging international partnerships. This discernment is crucial for enhancing Pakistan's defense capabilities and navigating the complexities of contemporary political landscapes and global dynamics.