Military Operations Research Articles

Optimization of paddle trajectory for fin-wheel underwater robot

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the oscillating trajectory of the paddle of a fin-wheel underwater robot to enhance its propulsion efficiency in water. This robot can be used for underwater detection and military operations. Design/methodology/approach By studying the propulsion mode of underwater fin-based robots, it is found that such robots periodically generate a large reverse thrust during the swing process, resulting in low propulsion efficiency. Therefore, according to the propulsion characteristics of the oscillating paddle in the underwater environment, the hydrodynamic model and physical constraints of the oscillating paddle are established. Then, the oscillating gait trajectory of the paddle is optimized by the trajectory optimization method. The performance of the optimized trajectory was tested in the simulation environment and the actual underwater environment. Findings The prototype of the robot was built and tested in a small swimming pool. The research results confirm that the propulsion efficiency of the optimized trajectory is higher than that of the traditional trajectory under the condition of the same amplitude and period. Specifically, the maximum speed of the robot can reach 0.24 m/s when using the optimized trajectory, which is about 50% higher than that before optimization. Originality/value The optimized trajectory with the generated impulse as the optimization target is applied to the paddle oscillation, which can improve the thrust impulse generated by the fin-wheel underwater robot during underwater motion, thereby greatly improving the underwater propulsion efficiency and moving speed.

Southern Bug River: water security and climate changes perspectives for post-war city of Mykolaiv, Ukraine

This article focuses on water security in Mykolaiv, a city of 0.5 million inhabitants in southern Ukraine, in the situation of scarcity of usable water resources caused by climate change and military operations. This problem arose after the Dnipro-Mykolaiv water pipeline was destroyed in April 2022 as a result of military operations and the supply of drinking water to the city was cut off. To ensure that the city’s population has constant access to sufficient water of acceptable quality, a search for alternative water sources and a climate risk assessment were carried out for the new municipal water supply system from the Southern Bug River. The possible change in flow and its intra-annual distribution under the influence of climate change was modeled using the WaterGAP2 hydrological model and climate projections under the SSP1-2.6 and SSP5-P8.5 scenarios. It was found that under the SSP1-2.6 scenario, the reduction in river flow will be insignificant (up to a maximum of 14% in the far future) and there will be no restrictions on the city’s water supply from this section of the river in the near (2021-2050) and far (2051-2080) period. The maximum water withdrawal for municipal water supply and the minimum environmental flow will reach their maximum value only in August (56% of the projected flow), which is not critical. Under the SSP5-8.5 scenario, in the long-term perspective of 2051-2080, the largest decrease in runoff will occur from May to October, and the water withdrawal will increase to 40-79% of the projected flow. The use of the research results not only in water management, but also in municipal administration, and their dissemination in territorial communities will contribute to the successful adaptation of socio-economic and environmental processes in the region and can bring successful benefits not only to the economy, but also to communities.

Dynamic fluid-structure interaction between the projectile and the light-thin ice under the motion state in the polar environment

The interaction between projectiles and ice during water entry is crucial for advancing polar resource exploration and military operations in polar regions. This study introduces a fluid-structure interaction (FSI) model to simulate the dynamics between projectiles and light-thin ice under a motion state, validated through laboratory experiments. It examines the cavity evolution patterns during water entry and analyzes the motion states and dynamic characteristics of both the projectile and the floating ice. The influence of the horizontal-to-vertical velocity ratio (u*) and the initial pitch angle (φ) on the water entry process and collision dynamics has also been considered. The results reveal that as the projectile approaches the floating ice, it generates a wave-making effect, impacting the formation of the water entry splash crown and the deflection motion of the ice. Additionally, the hydrodynamic force acting on the projectile increases by 40 % compared to free water entry conditions. After the collision between the projectile and the light-thin ice, the pinch-off characteristics of the water entry cavity alter. This collision influences the motion state and dynamic characteristics of the projectile, while the ice experiences both collision and hydrodynamic forces, leading to passive motion. With an increasing water entry velocity ratio, the light-thin ice forms an expanding cavity during passive water entry, affecting the cavity pinch-off of the projectile. When u* > 1, the projectile exhibits circuitous motion post-collision with the ice. Variations in water entry angles of the projectile alter the collision mode between the projectile and the ice, resulting in changes to their motion states and dynamic characteristics. A critical pitch angle exists during the cavity pinch-off process.

Review of diver propulsion vehicle: A review

The ocean serves as a vital arena for resource exploitation, scientific inquiry, and strategic endeavors. Among the array of underwater propulsion technologies, diver propulsion vehicles (DPVs) stand out for their exceptional integration, concealability, and maneuverability. They hold a pivotal role in both marine scientific exploration and military operations beneath the waves, thus carrying significant research implications. However, the existing literature on DPVs remains limited, lacking comprehensive examinations of their design processes and parameters. This review systematically surveys and assesses the current landscape of DPV development and research. Three key facets—propeller design, performance assessment, and equipment engineering—are scrutinized and analyzed. By consolidating essential data from ongoing studies, this review offers valuable insights. Additionally, it forecasts potential directions and emerging focal points in the evolution of underwater propulsion for frogmen, drawing from current advancements. The objective is to furnish foundational data to support the design and study of frogman underwater propulsion systems, thereby advancing engineering applications in this domain.

Fighting and winning in the Arctic: improving polar warfare capabilities

ABSTRACT The U.S. and its Arctic allies are facing a strategic dilemma in the Arctic. With Russia having a predominance of cold weather capable forces and bases inside the Arctic Circle, and with China showing greater economic and military interest in the region, in tandem with Russia, the U.S. is failing to compete around the North Pole. However, for the United States to project effectively military force in the harsh Arctic environment, numerous lessons about polar warfare need to be relearned by the American military. This article provides context on the issues of Arctic operations, presents five historical case studies of military operations in the Arctic and sub-Arctic regions, and identifies how to improve U.S. military capabilities for polar warfare.

Mantas Kvedaravičius’s Mariupolis (2016) and Šarūnas Bartas’s Frost (2017): Soft Advocacy for the Ukrainians in the Russo-Ukrainian War

This article examines the visual testimonies and evidence of the Russo-Ukrainian War in its initial phase, shortly after Russia annexed Crimea in 2014, in the films of two Lithuanian filmmakers, Šarūnas Bartas and Mantas Kvedaravičius, who took the stance of advocates and made their internationally acclaimed films, namely the mixed-genre feature Frost (2017, dir. Š. Bartas) and the documentary Mariupolis (2016, dir. M. Kvedaravičius), in war zones, when international media coverage of the ongoing military operations on Ukrainian territory was gradually decreasing, along with political and other support. In these films, viewers do not see the apparent warfare, the clashes between the Ukrainian army and Russian troops or separatist fighters. But they do see the testimonies of Ukrainians, captured on film and mobile phone cameras, and they see images of despair and anxiety, destroyed settlements and lives that prove that the war has been going on since 2014. The article explores what makes these films an instrument of soft advocacy for the Ukrainians in the war, drawing on the prevailing concepts of advocacy in film and media studies.

Подготовка медицинских специалистов Всероссийской службы медицины катастроф на современном этапе: проблемы, задачи и основные направления её дальнейшего совершенствования

Summary. The purpose of the study is to analyze the problems, tasks and determine the main directions for further improvement of the training of medical specialists of the All-Russian Disaster Medicine Service (VSMK, Service) at the present stage. Materials and methods of the study. The materials of the study are regulatory legal acts, documentation and sources on the issues of training of VSMK personnel. Research methods are an analytical method and a generalization method. Research results and their analysis. The tasks and problems of training medical specialists of the All-Russian Disaster Medicine Service at the present stage are presented, the directions for its further improvement are determined taking into account new challenges and threats to the security of our country. It is noted that the modern conditions for training medical specialists of the Service are characterized by the level of their readiness for medical support of armed conflicts, which is due to the current stage of development of the system of medical support for the wounded, sick and victims. Various aspects of training medical specialists of the All-Russian Disaster Medicine Service are considered taking into account the experience of their participation in medical evacuation support of the said contingents in the context of the Special Military Operation (SMO), etc.

Research on risk management of ship maintenance projects based on multi agent swarm model simulation method

In recent years, the role of naval ship power has become increasingly prominent in regional conflicts and military operations worldwide, and the powerful capabilities demonstrated by naval forces have also been valued by countries around the world. While naval forces are frequently deployed to carry out various tasks, the intensity of equipment wear and tear on ships is also significantly increasing, posing a huge challenge to the maintenance and support capabilities of ship equipment. In the actual process of ship equipment maintenance, a series of risk factors such as cost, schedule, and quality will have a significant impact on the entire ship maintenance project, and even affect the success or failure of the entire project. This article first decomposes the project process of ship maintenance projects, further analyzes the various risk factors of ship maintenance projects based on the project decomposition situation, and then distinguishes the overall project, project process, and project risk factors to establish an intelligent agent group model for simulation analysis. Through the above simulation analysis, we will conduct in-depth research on the specific impact of project risks on ship maintenance projects, and analyze and verify the positive role and practical significance of project risk management in project risk control and project efficiency improvement. In the process of the above research content, methods and measures for risk management of ship maintenance projects are proposed, providing scientific and efficient risk management suggestions for such projects, improving the scientific management efficiency of ship maintenance projects, and contributing to the improvement of the quality and efficiency of project management.

Groundwater for urban water supply in Ukraine: a case study of Mykolaiv (Military challenges and lessons for the future)

The paper discusses the possibility of using groundwater as a source of water supply for Mykolaiv during emergencies or military operations. A hydrogeological model of the Mykolaiv groundwater field was developed to investigate the water exchange pattern and sources of operational groundwater reserves in the Upper Sarmatian aquifer, which is a primary source of drinking groundwater in the Mykolaiv area. The influence of various factors on water-bearing capacity of the Upper Sarmatian sediments was assessed, including the vulnerability of the fresh groundwater to the intrusion of brackish water from the Bug Estuary. The study also examined the feasibility of operating the aquifer under forced conditions, depending on the duration of emergency periods or military operations.

Новые данные о походе султанов Бахты-Гирея (Дели-султана) и Мурад-Гирея на Кабарду весной 1729 года

The concept, organization and conditions of the campaign against Kabarda in the spring of 1729, led by the sultans Bakhty-Giray (Delhi-Sultan) and Murad-Giray, are analyzed. The main controversial issues of the study of the topic are considered, related to the number of forces that set out on the campaign, its reasons and causes (which were of particular importance for Bakhty-Giray), the sequence of military actions, etc. New arguments are presented in support of the opinion that the army of the sultans was not many thousands strong and that the Kabardians could probably even outnumber it. New documentary sources are being introduced into scientific circulation, allowing us to clarify the assessments of military operations that have already been established in historiography, as well as the composition of the opposing forces. For the first time in historiography, the opinion about the participation of Kalmyks, who traditionally supported Bakhty-Giray, in military operations has been substantiated in detail. The thesis about the attackers storming the so-called Crimean walls and that their retreat actually took place and turned into a flight is critically examined. New information has been revealed that reports the death of the sultans Bakhty-Giray and Murad-Giray in Kabarda, whose deliberate murder, apparently, was not originally part of the plans of the princes Kurgokin.

Institutional transformations of civil society in Russia during the special military operation

Institutional transformations of civil society in Russia during the special military operation

Prevention of extremism and terrorism in schools: experience of the republic of Dagestan

The article presents the results of the study of preventive anti-terrorist educational work among students of general education schools of the Republic of Dagestan. It is noted that this work with school youth is carried out systematically and comprehensively with the participation of not only teachers, but also external subjects of preventive influence on adolescents from among representatives of law enforcement agencies, various ministries and departments authorised in the field of youth, information and state national policy, cultural and art figures, representatives of the official Muslim clergy, athletes, deputies, veterans of the Special Military Operation and other public opinion leaders. It was revealed that the main format of this work is a thematic preventive conversation with schoolchildren, that requires certain pedagogical skills and competencies. Using a formalised expert survey of school teachers and a series of research interviews, an assessment of the effectiveness of this activity was identified, as well as problems that hinder the improvement of the quality of anti-extremist educational work with Dagestani youth. Noting the importance and usefulness of this work, the interviewed teachers point to a number of problems and factors that reduce its effectiveness. The workload of teachers with "paperwork", frequent demands for various kinds of reports on the work done, formalism, holding events without taking into account the age and individual characteristics of students, incompetence, lack of understanding and support from the parent community, weak interest in such events from both teachers and schoolchildren and a number of other factors hinder the improvement of the quality of anti-terrorist educational work with Dagestani youth. It seems that the prevention of extremism and terrorism is part of the general educational impact of the comprehensive school institution on a child, raising him to be a moral, law-abiding and patriotic citizen. To improve the quality of this work, it is important to raise the authority of school teachers at the state level, since a teacher without authority is a bad educator for teenagers not only in the area of countering the spread of the ideology of extremism and terrorism, but also in the matter of spiritual, moral and patriotic education in general.

Социальная тревога российского студенчества: территориальный аспект

Relevance. The article is focused оn the analysis of social anxiety and social phobia of modern Russian students of six regions of the Russian Federation in the context of a Special Military Operation and the sanctions pressure of the collective West on our state and its citizens. Research problem. The purpose of our research is to study the manifestations of social anxiety and sociоphobia caused by military actions among Russian students as a special socio-demographic group of people of the younger generation exposed to social risks. Methods. The total number of respondents was 991 people. All respondents are students of higher educational institutions. The research methodology is the Questionnaire of social anxiety and sociobia (OSTiSF). The article analyzes the data of psychological testing (face-to-face and online) of the large-scale interregional socio-psychological study “Russian students: assessments and patterns of the present and future as a basis for the formation of civic and value attitudes”. Research results. It was determined that the dominant type of social anxiety is post-situational rumination. The highest level of social anxiety was observed among young people living in the new Russian territories. Respondents from the newly annexed territories of the Russian Federation have a statistically higher level of social anxiety and sociоphobia than respondents from Belgorod and the Rostov region. Also, social anxiety is higher in women than in men. Conclusions. Psychological correction of social anxiety and sociophobia among modern youth is an important sphere of implementation of university youth policy. Its solution is the prerogative of specialised units of university psychological services.

Issues of Agglomeration Identity Policy in Statements of Russian Regional Politicians: Discourse Analysis of the Social Network “Vkontakte” Materials

The article examines how issues of identity construction in Russian urban agglomerations are reflected in the Russian regional politicians’ discourse in mass media. The study concerns theoretical problems of identity construction and the role of regional government bodies in shaping the territorial identity of the population. The specificity of the Russian situation is the absence of governing bodies related to the agglomeration level in most urban agglomerations. The empirical basis of the study is the texts of subnational politicians posted on the official websites of regional government bodies: websites of governors and regional governments, official pages in the mass media. The empirical information on identity policy were collected from the Internet sources (official portals of regional executive authorities, media reports). Discourse analysis was carried out after monitoring social media materials (VKontakte web-pages of regional leaders). The article reflects five cases out of sixteen Russian ones related to the Ural and Siberian agglomerations with a megalopolis core. The empirical data cover the period from December 2022 to the end of 2023. The choice of the time period for analysis is determined by the fact that by this period the most significant factors influencing the policy of our state at present (the pandemic and the Special military operation) have already manifested themselves in full. It has been confirmed that the problems of agglomeration development in the public official subfederal discourse in most cases are reduced to economic problems; first of all, it concerns the development of industry, science (high technology), transport, and waste disposal. In all analyzed cases, insufficient attention was found out, paid to the role of the implemented socio-cultural projects of subfederal identity policy, and also distancing from the discussion of the problems of integration of labor migrants in the public space. Insignificant number of messages from representatives of the regional political and administrative elite about the socio-cultural meanings of the formed agglomerations can become a significant limitation of information support for the agglomeration development of modern contemporary Russia.

Legal Regulation of the Use of Physical Force by Police Officers Under Martial Law

The legal regulation of the use of physical force by police officers is a critical issue in the system of public safety, particularly under martial law. In modern times, as countries face growing national security threats, the problem of ensuring that police use force both legally and appropriately becomes increasingly important. Martial law, which involves extraordinary measures by the state to protect its sovereignty and citizens, often grants law enforcement agencies expanded powers. These powers are intended to facilitate a quicker response to threats that may endanger both public order and national security. However, such expanded powers raise legal and ethical concerns regarding the boundaries of acceptable force. In the context of martial law, there is an urgent need to formalize the legal frameworks that govern the use of physical force by police officers. This includes not only national legislation but also international agreements that set standards for law enforcement conduct during crises. The complexity of maintaining public safety during military operations requires specific guidelines to ensure that law enforcement agencies act within the bounds of the law, while still effectively protecting citizens. This article focuses on analyzing how martial law affects the legal regulation of the use of force by police officers, using Ukraine as a case study. It highlights the key legislative challenges that have emerged in Ukraine since the introduction of martial law, such as ambiguities in the scope of police authority and gaps in existing regulations. Additionally, it offers recommendations for addressing these issues, emphasizing the need for clear and precise legal standards that balance public safety and the protection of human rights, even in times of crisis.

Modernisation of the personnel management system of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the context of the ongoing military conflict with Russia

Considering the ongoing military conflict with the Russian Federation, the modernisation of the personnel management system of the Armed Forces of Ukraine is of utmost significance. Effective training of new officers is becoming a strategic task to strengthen the country’s defence capability and ensure its national security. The purpose of this research is to thoroughly analyse and justify ways to modernise the personnel management system of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the context of the current military conflict, with a focus on improving the education and training of the new generation of officers. The research is based on a statistical analysis of data obtained through expert analysis and a survey of highly qualified professionals. The analysis demonstrated that the existing personnel management system of the Armed Forces of Ukraine requires significant modifications to respond to the current challenges of military operations. In particular, there is a need to introduce advanced teaching methods and use modern technologies in the training of officers. In addition, it is essential to improve the organisational structures that provide training for officers. It includes revision of programmes, adaptation to modern conflicts and implementation of international standards of military training. In addition, the psychological and social aspects of the design and development of the officer corps should be considered to ensure its stability and productivity in the long term. A special emphasis is placed on the need to introduce international experience and cooperation with partner countries, which may include the exchange of experience, and joint exercises and training programmes. The results obtained are essential for the development and implementation of strategic plans for the modernisation of the personnel management system of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, which will help to increase the effectiveness of military activities and strengthen the country’s defence capabilities in the face of ever-growing security threats.

LOADS ON SUBMERGED WALLS OF PROTECTIVE STRUCTURES

The intensification of military operations on the territory of Ukraine, which are accompanied by missile attacks and bombing of territories, requires the use of reliable protective structures. Modern codes require the provision of each new building with storage facilities that guarantee the safety of life and health of citizens, so the correct determination of all loads on the structural elements of protective structures is an urgent issue. Taking into acoount the fact that the previous codes were somewhat outdated and had limited access for a long time, a significant event was the adoption in 2023 of new codes for the design of protective structures of civil defence. The main requirements and recommendations of SBC B.2.2-5:20023 were taken into account when conducting research on determining the loads on buried walls of bomb shelters. Such structures, as we know, perceive a constant load from the lateral pressure of the soil, which during an explosion is supplemented by an episodic load from the action of an air wave. Modern specialized literature contains rather limited information on scientific research and development in the field of design of protective structures. An actual issue is also the study of the influence of determining factors on the intensity of the load on the walls of buried protective structures and the possibility of its adjustment in order to reduce it. Taking into account the nature of the distribution of loads on the underground walls of bomb shelters, a dependence was obtained to determine the resulting active pressure and quasi-static load caused by the action of an air wave. The pressures from the soil and the blast wave at different orientations of the contact wall and for different types of soil environment were studied. The loads in contact of a smooth and rough wall with sandy, sandy and loamy soils with different indicators of physical and mechanical characteristics were considered. The obtained results indicate a significant influence of the geometric parameters of the wall and the features of the contact soil on the resulting pressure, which can vary depending on the studied factors by 10-20%, which indicates the possibility of reducing the load on protective structures, operating with the considered indicators.

Трансформация гражданственности студенчества в «переломное время» (на материалах фокус-групп и эссе студентов вузов Ростовской области в 2022 и 2024 гг.)

The article analyzes the opinions and civil positions of students of the Rostov region universities in the context of a Special Military Operation and a destructive ideological war of the collective West against the Russian Federation. Based on the materials of the focus group and essays of the Don students in October – November 2022 (8 groups) and in April 2024 (6 groups, 203 essays), the life-forming factors of student youth are described: life, peace, humanism, family and immediate environment, collectivism and mutual assistance, historical memory, small homeland, patriotism. The events and factors that influenced the moral and social state of the Don students are identified: confrontation with existential problems of war and peace, life and death; uncertainty of the future in the context of the inevitability of a Special Military Operation, cultural isolation of Russia, geopolitical risks and transformation of the world order. In the face of an existential choice, there is a rethinking of the value of family, an increase in the role of the immediate circle and small homeland. A targeted state policy of memory, glorification and memorization of the Special Military Operation participants creates the ground for an increase in the role of historical memory, the values of patriotism and citizenship, trust in the authorities and approval of political decisions. The perception of Western values becomes more critical; the severity of anxiety about the cultural, economic, political isolation of Russia is erased. The hypothesis about the existence of two models of citizenship of Russian students was confirmed: a) the first (civic consciousness as public-state patriotism) is associated with factors of sociocentrism, where there is an identity with one's family, ethnic group, small homeland, and civic identity with the Russian state is strengthened, associated with a sense of duty, responsibility and obligation to it; b) the second (global citizenship) is based on the principles of anthropocentrism with guarantees of observance of constitutional rights and freedoms, humanistic values and global citizenship, but without the individual's obligations to the state.

Industrial robotics in Russia under the conditions of sanctions

The article in question is a brief analytical review based on the materials of open publications of the state of indus-trial robotics in Russia on the eve and after the introduction of sanctions by the West related to the implementation of Special military operation. Despite the lack of official information, the estimated quantitative characteristics of the domestic industrial robotics market in the specified period are given and the main factors influencing its devel-opment are listed with appropriate conclusions.

Reliability and Sensitivity Analysis of Wireless Sensor Network Using a Continuous-Time Markov Process

A remarkably high growth has been observed in the uses of wireless sensor networks (WSNs), due to their momentous potential in various applications, namely the health sector, smart agriculture, safety systems, environmental monitoring, military operations, and many more. It is quite important that a WSN must have high reliability along with the least MTTF. This paper introduces a continuous-time Markov process, which is a special case of stochastic process, based on modeling of a wireless sensor network for analyzing the various reliability indices of the same. The modeling has been conducted by considering the different components, including the sensing unit, transceiver, microcontroller, power supply, standby power supply unit, and their failures/repairs, which may occur during their functioning. The study uncovered different important assessment parameters like reliability, components-wise reliability, MTTF, and sensitivity analysis. The critical components of a WSN are identified by incorporating the concept of sensitivity analysis. The outcomes emphasize that the proposed model will be ideal for understanding different reliability indices of WSNs and guiding researchers and potential users in developing a more robust wireless sensor network system.