Military Equipment Research Articles

BUREAUCRACY AND CORRUPTION IN NIGERIA: ANALYSIS OF PROCUREMENT IN THE POLICE AND MILITARY SECTORS

Corruption has been a critical issue in the development strides of Nigeria, worse where administrative personnel, instead of the diligent execution of work under extant codes of public administration, convert such positions to market-centered platforms for personal profit. The Nigerian armed forces have been playing significant roles in crisis management especially, the fight against insurgency in the country. This paper examined bureaucracy and corruption: analysis of procurement in the police and military. The modernization theory was adopted as the theoretical framework of analysis. Documentary method was adopted as the method of data collection and content analysis was employed as the method of data analysis. Findings from this study has revealed that the Nigerian armed forces do not have adequate weapons to prosecute the war against insurgents. Meanwhile, procurement processes for the acquisition of arms and ammunitions for the Nigerian Army and all the security agencies operating in the country has been marred by corruption. There are also reports of corruption within and outside the armed forces that sabotage the efforts of the armed forces. This third force are politically and financially exposed persons who are involved in corruption. Among the findings, is the fact that although bribery can crop up in arms procurement anywhere, the problem can be far worse in countries where military spending and decision-making lacks transparency, accountability, monitoring and oversight institutions are weak. The paper recommends adequate funding and monitoring of these funds of the armed forces to enable them purchase modern military equipment to fight the insurgents. Therefore, a new approach to arms procurement that seeks to eliminate corruption and some of the controversies surrounding the exercise should be adopted.

Design and Aerodynamic Analysis of a Flapping Mechanism for Foldable Biomimetic Aircraft

This study investigates the unsteady aerodynamic mechanisms underlying the efficient flight of birds and proposes a biomimetic flapping-wing aircraft design utilizing a double-crank double-rocker mechanism. Building upon a detailed analysis of avian flight dynamics, a two-stage foldable flapping mechanism was developed, integrating an optimized double-crank double-rocker structure with a secondary linkage system. This design enables synchronized wing flapping and spanwise folding, significantly enhancing aerodynamic efficiency and dynamic performance. The system’s planar symmetric layout and high-ratio reduction gear configuration ensure movement synchronicity and stability while reducing mechanical wear and energy consumption. Through precise modeling, the motion trajectories of the inner and outer wing segments were derived, providing a robust mathematical foundation for motion control and optimization. Computational simulations based on trajectory equations successfully demonstrated the characteristic figure-eight wingtip motion. Using 3D simulations and CFD analysis, key parameters—including initial angle of attack, aspect ratio, flapping frequency, and flapping speed—were optimized. The results indicate that optimal aerodynamic performance is achieved at an initial angle of attack of 9°, an aspect ratio of 5.1, and a flapping frequency and speed of 4–5 Hz and 4–5 m/s, respectively. These findings underscore the potential of biomimetic flapping-wing aircraft in applications such as UAVs and military technology, providing a solid theoretical foundation for future advancements in this field.

An Electric‐Magnetic Dual‐Gradient Composite Film Comprising MXene, Hollow Fe3O4, and Bacterial Cellulose for High‐Performance EMI Shielding and Infrared Camouflage

AbstractIt is crucial to develop electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding materials with high shielding efficiency (SE) and reduced reflection to mitigate the secondary pollution caused by electromagnetic waves (EMWs). Herein, a novel multilayer assembly strategy inspired by the structure of “Turkish dessert—Baklava” is proposed to introduce magnetic hollow Fe3O4 nanospheres (HFO) and conductive MXene nanosheets into a bacterial cellulose (BC) network. Through a layer‐by‐layer vacuum filtration approach, a composite BC/MXene/HFO film with a controllable electric‐magnetic dual‐gradient structure is achieved. The construction of electric‐magnetic dual gradients alleviates the impedance mismatch at the air‐film interface, resulting in reduced reflectivity toward EMWs, while the unique hollow structure of HFO facilitates the “absorption–reflection–reabsorption” process of EMWs. Consequently, the as‐prepared composite film (0.35 mm thickness) exhibits an extraordinary EMI SE of 67.6 dB and a reflection SE as low as 5.1 dB. Furthermore, it also demonstrates exceptional mechanical properties, efficient thermal management, and Joule heating capabilities, as well as remarkable passive and active infrared camouflage performances. This study offers an innovative approach to achieve less reflection and more absorption of EMWs, and expands the application scope of EMI shielding materials in precision electronics, aerospace, and military equipment fields.

Radar‐Terahertz‐Infrared Compatible Stealth Coaxial Silver Nanowire@Carbon Nano‐Cable Aerogel

AbstractAchieving multi‐spectrum compatible stealth in radar‐terahertz‐infrared bands with robust performance has great prospects for both military and civilian applications. However, the progress of materials encounters substantial challenges due to the significant variability in frequency coupling properties across different electromagnetic wave bands. Here, this work presents the design of a multi‐scale structure and fabricates a lightweight aerogel (silver nanowire@carbon, AgNW@C) consisting of a regular coaxial nano‐cable, with silver nanowire as the core and amorphous‐graphitized hybrid carbon as the outer‐layer. The design utilizes the one‐dimensional conductive network and electric coupling heterogeneous interface, the low infrared emission of silver nanowires, and the thermal insulation caused by three‐dimensional pore structure found in aerogels. This conception achieves the long‐standing goal of multi‐spectrum compatible stealth in an integrated material. The AgNW@C aerogel exhibits an optimal reflection loss of −66.50 dB and an effective absorption bandwidth of 8.80 GHz in the gigahertz band, while an average total shielding performance of 71.92 dB and over 50.00 dB reflection loss in the terahertz band. Furthermore, the AgNW@C aerogel demonstrates remarkable thermal infrared stealth capabilities with a low infrared emissivity of 0.28 and thermal insulation up to 150 °C under 200 °C. These exceptional multispectral stealth properties allow the aerogel for potential applications in military camouflage technology and electromagnetic protection.

Radar-Terahertz-Infrared Compatible Stealth Coaxial Silver Nanowire@Carbon Nano-Cable Aerogel.

Achieving multi-spectrum compatible stealth in radar-terahertz-infrared bands with robust performance has great prospects for both military and civilian applications. However, the progress of materials encounters substantial challenges due to the significant variability in frequency coupling properties across different electromagnetic wave bands. Here, this work presents the design of a multi-scale structure and fabricates a lightweight aerogel (silver nanowire@carbon, AgNW@C) consisting of a regular coaxial nano-cable, with silver nanowire as the core and amorphous-graphitized hybrid carbon as the outer-layer. The design utilizes the one-dimensional conductive network and electric coupling heterogeneous interface, the low infrared emission of silver nanowires, and the thermal insulation caused by three-dimensional pore structure found in aerogels. This conception achieves the long-standing goal of multi-spectrum compatible stealth in an integrated material. The AgNW@C aerogel exhibits an optimal reflection loss of -66.50 dB and an effective absorption bandwidth of 8.80 GHz in the gigahertz band, while an average total shielding performance of 71.92 dB and over 50.00 dB reflection loss in the terahertz band. Furthermore, the AgNW@C aerogel demonstrates remarkable thermal infrared stealth capabilities with a low infrared emissivity of 0.28 and thermal insulation up to 150 °C under 200 °C. These exceptional multispectral stealth properties allow the aerogel for potential applications in military camouflage technology and electromagnetic protection.

China and the transfer of military technology to the Middle East: dimensions, developments, and challenges

ABSTRACT For decades, China has engaged in transferring military technology to Middle Eastern countries, a key element of its strategic competition with the United States. This article examines the goals and consequences of these transfers, focusing on their role in China’s rivalry with the U.S. It explores the historical evolution of China’s military technology strategy, shifting from ideological motives to economic profit and technology exchange. A turning point emerged when China began supplying military technology to traditional U.S. allies in the region, such as Türkiye, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, signalling its intent to challenge U.S. dominance. However, the article argues that various challenges have limited the effectiveness of China’s military technology transfers compared to its more impactful non-military technologies, including artificial intelligence, clean energy, and next-generation internet innovations. These non-military technologies have seen significant adoption in the Middle East, while reliance on Chinese military technology among U.S. allies remains limited. The findings suggest that while China’s influence in the region grows through non-military avenues, its military technology transfers are unlikely to significantly alter the strategic balance.

Innovation and Digital Potential of the Global Space Activities: Peculiarities of the Current Stage

The article is devoted to the analysis of the main aspects of the development of the world space activities: the growth of the space economy; an increase in the number of space activities subjects (both in the country aspect and in the functional aspects, such as the state, the private sector, public-private partnership). The impact of the space activities on the development of other sectors of the economy is emphasized. Particular emphasis of this conducted research is on the American space activities. The spiral-evolutionary approach to the development of space activities is discussed. The most important key space technologies both in terms of the development of space-based facilities and systems and the space production complex and also the main approaches of the leading space countries to the development of the space weapons are determined by the authors. In total identified aspects underline the necessity for the extension of the discussion platforms for the activating debates concerning determination of the prospects for the development of the world space activity.

Ethics that Fails to Regulate War, Ethics that Enhances War.

This short perspective piece argues that wars are often conducted in settings where ethical injunctions are ignored or overridden and where ethical oversight is avoided or circumvented. This is particularly the case with intrastate conflicts and is exacerbated by novel military technologies. In these and other settings ethics is often invoked actually to promote or prolong war.

Risk Factors for Limb Amputations in Modern Warfare Trauma: New Perspectives

Background: In modern conflicts, extremities are mainly affected, with limb amputations required for approximately 5% of severely injured combatants and 7% of those with serious limb injuries. Amputations are some of the most challenging injuries endured by survivors, significantly affecting the patients and the healthcare system. This study aims to describe the rates, characteristics, and risk factors of limb amputations in patients with serious extremity trauma during the 2023 conflict in Israel. Methods: This nationwide retrospective cohort study, based on the Israel National Trauma Registry, includes all patients with serious extremity injuries (abbreviated injury score ≥3) from October 7 to December 31, 2023. Demographic and clinical characteristics, as well as outcomes of patients with limb amputations were compared with those who were not amputated. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify risk factors for amputations. Results: Among the 1,815 combat-related casualties, 1,318 (72.6%) sustained extremity injuries, and 451 (24.8%) had serious limb injuries. Most patients with severe limb injuries were young males, with 287 of 451 being soldiers. 150 of 451 were injured by explosions, and 158 of 451 had severe and critical injuries (ISS ≥16). Of 451 patients, 52 (11.5%) underwent limb amputations (43 lower limbs, eight upper limbs, and one both). Amputees were significantly more likely to be injured by explosions (76.9% vs. 27.6%, P < 0.001), have an ISS of ≥16 (75.0% vs. 29.8%, P < 0.001), and have polytrauma (46.1% vs. 27.1%, P = 0.004). Independent risk factors for amputation included explosions (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 9.74, 95% confidence interval [CI] 4.83 to 21.32, P < 0.001), fasciotomy (aOR 8.51, 95% CI 2.82 to 25.74, P < 0.001), and polytrauma (aOR 1.98, 95% CI 1.03 to 3.78, P = 0.04). Vascular injuries were not associated with amputations (aOR 0.87, 95% CI 0.39 to 1.85, P = 0.72). Conclusions: In recent conflicts, amputation rates have risen, likely due to increased tissue destruction from modern weaponry and improved survival rates among severely injured patients. Those with multiple severe injuries, blast injuries, or requiring fasciotomies face a higher risk of amputation.

Optimal design of acoustic metamaterials for noise suppression by the frequency division in military equipment

This paper presents a multi-Helmholtz unit series–parallel acoustic metamaterial with a segmented noise control effect designed by taking advantage of the adjustable frequency band of an acoustic metamaterial, aiming to change the main noise spectrum characteristics under different driving conditions of military equipment such as tanks. Based on the transfer matrix method, a theoretical model that can predict the acoustic characteristics of a hybrid structure with multiple Helmholtz resonator (HR) units is established, and its feasibility is verified through finite element simulations and experiments. By combining particle swarm optimization with finite element simulation, the suboptimal average sound absorption coefficient (αavg) of ten populations was 0.52, 0.54, 0.54, and 0.44, respectively, after iterating for 50 generations. The results demonstrate that the αavg of the four groups of HRs in series with three layers reaches 0.79, 0.62, and 0.66, respectively, at the frequency bands of 205–285, 540–720, and 940–1130 Hz, and the overall thickness of the longest part is 88 mm. Low-frequency noise at approximately λ/18 can be controlled. The HR obtained by means of the first series and then parallel can achieve accurate sound absorption for specific frequency bands and can reduce its volume by removing redundant absorption bands. The findings of this study provide an effective noise-control scheme for changing the noise environment in military equipment.

International legal characterization of methods and means of warfare in the information space

INTRODUCTION. In the world, due to the growing trends in the militarization of the information space, military actions in this area are becoming a reality and a prospect for a number of operational, tactical and other advantages in comparison with military actions in traditional forms within the classical theaters of war. Information military confrontation will be carried out through the use of a new type of weapon – information, which does not fit into the established paradigm of approaches to traditional weapons, which, of course, gives rise to many questions and contradictory expert opinions, but is in dire need of further development and comprehensive research.MATERIALS AND METHODS. Given the complexity and multi-component nature of the topic under study, the study is based on the results of the analysis of scientific works by Russian and foreign legal scholars on international humanitarian law (IHL), experts in the field of military affairs, and specialists in the field of information technology. The author also examines key international treaties on IHL, on the topic of international information security (IIS), which together form the basis for the international legal qualification of information weapons as a means of waging war in the context of the gradual adaptation of IHL norms to situations of hostile use of information space. In conducting the study, analytical and review materials of the ICRC on the issue of cyber operations during an armed conflict were used. The methodological basis is made up of general scientific and special research methods.RESEARCH RESULTS. The results of the conducted study established two formed concepts reflecting approaches to IIS and threats in this area through the prism of cybertopics and information aspect, within the framework of each of which specific terminology is formed, including approaches to defining methods and means of conducting military operations. It was determined that the domestic doctrine is built around the information agenda of security, which determined the development of the definition of “information weapons” and the study of its status as a promising means of waging war in the information space. It seems significant to identify and generalize doctrinal trends in the qualification of information weapons as weapons of mass destruction or conventional weapons, as well as to establish new approaches to regulating the development and use of information weapons in armed conflicts.DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS. The article presents the author’s objective assessments of the existing doctrinal approaches of both domestic and foreign scientists on the issue of international legal qualification of methods and means of waging war in the information space in general and information weapons as a means of waging war in particular. Separately, international treaties on IHL and IIS are considered in terms of the possibility of applying their provisions to regulate the restriction of the behavior of warring parties in information warfare, taking into account a certain adaptation of IHL norms to the conditions of hostile use of information technologies. Prospects for further development of the IHL doctrine on regulating the development and use of information weapons in armed conflicts are identified.

Rheological investigations on frequency selective surface carbon composite microwave absorber.

A high-performance stealth platform is one of the crucial requirements in defence technology that could practically be realized by building effective microwave frequency selective surface (FSS) absorbers. Herein, we report the design and manufacturing of an absorber by tuning the rheology of cell architecture. Initially, a fan-shaped cell (10.4 mm2) was designed for its surface and bulk rheology. The FSS overlayer composition was investigated using SEM, EDX, and XRD and tuned for 0.25% carbon: 1.5% silver to achieve the ink resistivity ∼255 Ω □-1. The bulk rheology was optimized for air (Roha) spacer (thickness ∼2.8 mm), interlayer dielectrics (0.2 mm each), carbon composition (5%), and cell dimension (10.2 mm). Analyses are presented for absorption loss (RC, dB), bandwidth (GHz), resonance dispersion, and constitutive (ε, μ) parameters, compounded with an equivalent circuit model with the settings R = 273.55 Ω, L = 2.25 nH, C = 0.057 pF and the Fabry-Perot reactance mode@10 GHz. The bi-modal response was investigated for induced polarization, electromagnetic fields, volume power distribution, and angular (Θ = 0°-50°) and rotational stability (Φ = 0°-90°) against TE/TM incidences. The FSS pattern was implemented using a screen printing technique to fabricate a prototype absorber and subjected to the free space measurements in an anechoic chamber. The prototype behaviour was found to be commensurate with the simulated performance, thereby achieving a figure of merit of RC ∼-25 dB@10 GHz, accessible bandwidth 4 GHz (in X band) by using the thickness of 0.057 λ0. Details are presented in this study.

Security Defence Technology for Webcast Integrating SSA and Reinforcement Learning

Security Defence Technology for Webcast Integrating SSA and Reinforcement Learning

The Evolving Indo-French Defence Cooperation: Implications for Pakistan

The French presence in the Indian subcontinent began in the 17th century with the establishment of trading posts, which later evolved into settlements. This colonial legacy forms the basis of the modern Indo-French relationship, with military technology and economic cooperation as its main pillars. The Indo-French partnership is driven by mutual cost-benefit analyses. Where India aims to enhance its security and strategic autonomy, while France secures economic and geopolitical gains. Currently, India is modernizing its military systems with French defence equipment, including the Project-75 (P-75) Scorpene-class submarines, Dassault Rafale M fighter aircraft, and many others. The Scorpene-class submarines will bolster India’s underwater warfare capabilities and assist in deterrence patrolling. Meanwhile, the Rafale M fighter aircraft will improve India’s aerial combat readiness, providing advanced strike and air superiority capabilities. These military advancements provide India with a strategic upper hand, particularly in maintaining a strong maritime presence in the perceived Indo-Pacific region. Consequently, these developments increase the conventional asymmetry between India and Pakistan, entailing further military and economic implications for Pakistan. France’s equipment would be substantial in meeting New Delhi’s offensive warfighting aspirations against Pakistan. In addition, the Indo-French economic partnership is flourishing too, creating an exclusive economic bloc in the region. While the growing Indo-French partnership poses challenges for Pakistan, it also presents opportunities. Pakistan should employ rational strategies to address this evolving asymmetry by diversifying alliances and exploring collaborative opportunities with France.

Wind Humanities: An Elemental Media Approach

This article introduces wind humanities as a burgeoning field, exploring how wind shapes experience, reasoning, artistic and knowledge production. It positions wind as a medium, model, and lived experience, drawing on environmental humanities, media studies, and artistic practice to investigate wind’s methodological, epistemological, and ontological implications for humanistic inquiry. The authors situate this emergent field within the broader environmental and elemental turn in the humanities and media studies, highlighting its connections to new materialism and its potential to transform our understanding of both wind and the elemental more broadly. They suggest a rich and evolving landscape of inquiry around wind, highlighting past work and introducing the ten contributions to this stream, which explore wind as media, model, and experience across military technology, volumetric poetry, a libretto, animacies, aesthetics, diffraction, environmental perception, risk communication, indigenous cosmologies, and energy infrastructure.

Subunit command procedures at section, squad, platoon and company levels

Despite dynamic changes in tactics, techniques, operating procedures and military technology on the modern battlefield, man remains the most critical factor influencing the outcome of an armed conflict. Decisions made by commanders determine military successes or failures. The effective execution of a task depends on the process during which commanders determine the course of action (COA). The effectiveness of subunit command procedures and their unification with allied armies should be a priority of the Polish Armed Forces. This article presents basic information on the current state of normative documents describing the command process at section, squad, platoon and company levels, followed by a detailed description of the techniques and methods of the US command procedure. The main objective of the article is a synthetic analysis of the possibility of applying the proposed solution in the Polish land forces.

Development of "Target Detection and Identification System" for Combat Military Vehicles via Artificial Intelligence and Decision Support Matrix

Modern military intelligence systems are improving day by day. In the context of ground forces, combat vehicle-type classification technology serves as a valuable supporting asset. Understanding the capabilities and limitations of different combat vehicle types is crucial for developing effective tactics and strategies. The implementation of artificial intelligence-supported military vehicle type classification technology has raised increasing concerns as image processing, pattern recognition, and deep learning have advanced. You Only Look Once (YOLO) has demonstrated numerous considerable advantages in object detection and image classification. This method accelerates target detection because it can predict objects in real-time. The high accuracy of detection and assessment assists operational personnel in the field. The YOLO prediction method produces accurate results with minimal background errors and facilitates the understanding of generalized object representations. This paper utilizes YOLO to demonstrate combat vehicle type detection, specifically employing the YOLOv8m model, which is well-suited for mobile deployments. This study focuses on a process that begins with detecting targets using images obtained through electro-optical systems, aimed at supporting the activities of identifying and defining targets, which are essential components of target management systems. The process involves developing a Target Detection and Identification (TDI) system based on deep learning, incorporating steps such as pre-processing, segmentation, feature extraction, classification, additional data extraction, and decision support. This system is designed to interpret the results obtained from these processes and provide actionable recommendations. Furthermore, it assists in addressing the weapon target assignment problem in the land environment.

Implementation of National Defense in the Modern Era: Challenges and Strategies to Support National Security

Implementing National Defense in the modern era has its own challenges in supporting national security. In the modern era full of security dynamics and challenges, the role of technology and innovation is crucial in supporting national security strategies. This research aims to explain how technology has changed the security paradigm, discussing key aspects such as monitoring and detection, communication and information, cyber strategy, and the development of modern weapons. The research method used is a narrative review type literature review method with data collection techniques using Publish or Perish and Google Scholar. The research results show that the use of advanced technologies such as AI, sensors and encrypted communication systems has provided significant advantages in dealing with complex threats. The research method used is a quantitative approach with a literature review design. The findings show that the challenges in implementing National Defense are not easy because there are several factors that influence the implementation of National Defense and strategies that support national security. The conclusion of this article is that technology in the modern era has advantages in supporting national security and facing non-military threats.

Research on Innovative Teaching Methods of Probability Theory and Mathematical Statistics under the Background of Internet

Probability theory and mathematical statistics is an important basic course of science and technology, economics and management, and has close contact with industry, agriculture, military and science and technology, so it is particularly important for students to study probability theory and mathematical statistics. The learning effect of students largely depends on the teaching methods of teachers. Under the background of the Internet, the emerging development of Internet education, in order to conform to the development of The Times and improve the quality of teaching, the innovative teaching methods of probability theory and mathematical statistics should also be studied. Based on the analysis of the characteristics and advantages of Internet education, combined with the characteristics of probability theory and mathematical statistics and the shortcomings of current teaching, this paper designs an innovative teaching method based on the application of flipped classroom teaching mode under the Internet. Taking the rain classroom as an example, the teaching method is designed from three links: preview before class, teaching in class and feedback after class. Under the background of Internet education, it is of great significance to improve the teaching quality of probability theory and mathematical statistics courses.

THEORY OF TECHNOLOGY AND METHODS OF ENGINEERING ANALYSIS OF HIGH-STRENGTH NANOSTRUCTURED COATINGS FOR ENHANCED SERVICE CHARACTERISTICS OF MILITARY AND CIVIL EQUIPMENT OBJECTS

Modern military and civil equipment objects need to improve the service properties of the most critical and loaded contacting elements, which determine their tactical and technical characteristics. So far, traditional and new materials have exhausted such possibilities in many aspects. These capabilities can be dramatically increased by means of strengthening, in particular, application of nanostructured high-strength and multilayer nitride coatings based on titanium nitrides, zirconium, etc., as well as modified vacuum condensates. At the same time, for structural elements with closeshaped contacting surfaces, it is important to choose the structure, composition and methods of application of these high-strength and multilayer nitride coatings and pseudoalloys only in parallel with the analysis of their contact interaction. For this purpose, the paper develops new variational statements of contact problems, perform analysis and develop recommendations on improving the service properties of contacting elements of military and civil equipment objects by forming high-strength and multilayer nitride coatings and pseudoalloys. It is the combination of new author’s approaches in contact mechanics and in the physics of nanostructured metals, on the other hand, that provides the basis for breakthrough technical solutions of modern military and civil equipment objects with increased their tactical and technical characteristics: battle tanks, armored vehicles, robotic combat platforms, turbomachines.