Mission Capabilities Research Articles

Long Round-Trip Time Delay Effects on Performance of a Simulated Appendectomy Task.

INTRODUCTION: No current astronauts have surgical training, and medical capabilities for future missions do not account for it. We sought to determine the effect of communication delays and text-based communication on emergency medicine physician (EMP) performance of a simulated surgical procedure and the ideal training paradigm for remote surgery.METHODS: In this study, 12 EMPs performed an appendectomy on a virtual reality laparoscopic simulator after tutorial. EMPs were randomized into two groups: one (bedside) group performing with bedside directing from a surgeon and the second (remote) group performing with text-based communications relayed to the surgeon after a 210-s time delay. Both groups performed a second simulated surgery 7 mo later with 240-s delay. Collected data included time to completion, number of movements, path length, economy of motion, percentage of time with appropriate camera positioning, texts sent, and major complications.RESULTS: The remote group took significantly longer to complete the task, used more total movements, had longer path length, and had significantly worse economy of motion during the initial trial. At the 7-mo simulation, there were no significant differences between the two groups. There was a nonsignificant increase in critical errors in the remote group at follow-up (50% vs. 20% of trials).DISCUSSION: EMPs are technically able to perform a surgical operation with delayed just-in-time telementoring guidance via text-based communication. However, the ideal paradigm for training non-surgeons to perform surgical operations is unclear but is likely real-time bedside training rather than remote training.Kamine TH, Siu M, Stegemann S, Formanek A, Levin D. Long round-trip time delay effects on performance of a simulated appendectomy task. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2024; 95(9):703-708.

Overview of research on intelligent swarm munitions

This article started with an overview of the current technological status and engineering developments in the field of swarm munitions. It first introduced swarm behaviors and related swarm algorithms, and then provided a comprehensive summary of the research progress in the field of swarm munitions from four aspects: Collaborative perception and detection, collaborative positioning and navigation, task allocation for swarms, and path planning for swarms. In summary, future developments in collaborative perception, planning, positioning, navigation, and decision-making for swarm munitions will trend towards intelligence, adaptability, and collaboration. It can enable swarm munitions to be better adapted to complex and dynamic battlefields, improving operational effectiveness and mission capabilities.

An autonomous robotic arm for efficient rock collection in uncharted territories

The autonomous rock collector using robotic arm for exploration of unknown territories (ARCAxUT) is introduced as an innovative solution for the efficient retrieval of rock samples in unexplored space regions. Traditional, human-reliant methods are costly and hazardous, prompting the development of ARCAxUT. Equipped with a smart robotic arm, an RGB-D camera, and NUC computer, the system autonomously detects and estimates the mass of various rock samples. Validated in simulated and real-world environments, the algorithm ensures precise gripper control, achieving an impressive 95.4% accuracy in rock size estimation. This breakthrough offers transformative capabilities for space missions, revolutionizing celestial body sample collection and advancing broader societal implications in space exploration technologies.

Financially Fully Mission Capable for the Long-Term? A Strategic Look at Military Retirement

We create a retirement pay multiple (RPM) to assist military service members, at any point in their career, with determining whether they are on track to retire and maintain their living standard. This strategic financial planning tool helps these servicemembers assess whether they are fully mission capable (FMC) in their personal financial lives. The RPM incorporates myriad relevant financial factors, including taxes, Social Security, participation in the Department of Defense’s recently established Blended Retirement System (BRS), actuarial life expectancy, inflation, and military pay growth rates. An associated online calculator also permits customization of these factors.

Darth Vader's Secret Weapon: Implementing Mission Engineering with UAF

AbstractWhen planning and conducting a Mission Engineering (ME) study, it is important to have a complete, correct, and coherent model of the mission architecture. The Unified Architecture Framework (UAF) has been found to be effective for this purpose. The OUSD (R&E) Mission Integration office is exploring how to use UAF for their ME architectures. This paper will explore some of the required modeling features and constructs that will enable this to occur. The paper “Implementing Mission Engineering with UAF” was presented at a previous conference and this paper will expand on that presentation and will discuss additional work that has been accomplished since then. This paper will also explore the proposed extensions for UAF to better support ME. We created a prototype model using the Battle of Hoth from Star Wars as a proof of concept for these modeling extensions and used the process and ME concepts defined in the Mission Engineering Guide (MEG). Since then there have been several concepts that were explored such as compatibility with the Model‐Based Acquisition (MBAcq) approach, recent initiatives from the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Mission Capabilities, Enterprise Systems Engineering (ESE) process and methods, detailed resource engagement, use of different modeling languages (e.g., Systems Modeling Language (SysML), SysML v2 and UAF v2), Effects and Outcomes, variety of measures, additional attributes/stereotypes such as differentiation between enemy/friendly/neutral ‐ Blue Force, Red Force, etc., provenance/confidence of enemy resources, and so forth. This paper will summarize the research and modeling done to date and explore these additional concepts as well as new ideas introduced in the MEG v2.

Multi-filed data fusion through attention-based networks for readiness prediction in aircraft maintenance: natural language processing (NLP) approach

ABSTRACT Military aircraft data is analyzed from a readiness perspective to pursue sustainability. Aircraft readiness can be described as the percentage of fighting force available to perform a mission given a fixed period. It is critical to predict the readiness length of Non-Mission Capable (NMC) to prepare for alternative strategies to achieve mission success before a failure occurs. NMC also affects the maintenance process of an aircraft. In existing readiness state analysis, domain experts must manually assess significant amounts of data and identify the frequency and severity of failure modes, which is time-consuming, subjective, and merely descriptive analytics. This paper proposes a multi-filed data fusion framework through an attention-based network to predict aircraft mission capability. The model employs and investigates structured categorical information and manually inputs textual notes. The attention-based method is applied to retain and identify critical textual details, integrated with the dense representation of various categorical features. We demonstrate that the proposed model framework can contribute to capturing and analyzing essential features related to mission capability. The proposed method’s detailed performance is compared with existing approaches.

Streamlining Space Travel The Nozzle-less Propulsion Approach

The Nozzle-less Propulsion Approach" delves into the innovative realm of propulsion systems that defy conventional methods. Traditional rocket engines rely on nozzles for thrust generation, but the emergence of nozzle-less propulsion represents a paradigm shift in space exploration. This abstract explores the principles and advantages of nozzle-less propulsion, highlighting its potential to revolutionize spacecraft design and mission capabilities. By eliminating the need for complex nozzle structures, this approach streamlines spacecraft architecture, reduces mass, and enhances efficiency. Moreover, the abstract delves into the underlying technologies driving nozzle-less propulsion, such as ion propulsion, electromagnetic propulsion, and solar sails. Through a comprehensive overview, this abstract illuminates the transformative impact of the nozzle-less propulsion approach on the future of space travel, offering insights into its feasibility, challenges, and promising applications. Key words: Nozzle-less propulsion, propulsion, MPDT, PIT, Theoretical Analysis, Numerical Analysis

Research on Improvement Methods for Driven System of Bio-Inspired Aircraft to Increase Flight Speed

The flapping-wing ornithopter is an aircraft that imitates the flight of birds in nature. It has significant potential and value in various fields such as surveying, search and rescue, military reconnaissance, and unmanned warfare, due to its biomimetic stealth and high efficiency in low Reynolds number flight. However, the cruising speed of current flapping-wing ornithopters is generally lower than that of birds of the same size, which seriously affects biomimicry, mission capability, and wind resistance. Increasing the cruising speed can make the aircraft fly more like a bird, improve the efficiency of reconnaissance missions and wind resistance per unit time, and has important research significance. However, the methods to increase the cruising speed of flapping-wing ornithopters are currently lacking. Firstly, this paper presents improvements to the propulsion system based on the team’s “Dove” aircraft to meet the speed requirements. The actual flapping frequency and rocking arm end torque of the “Dove” aircraft under different voltages are tested. To select and match the motor and gearbox in the propulsion system, a method for matching and selection among the motor, gearbox, and load is proposed. Finally, wind tunnel experiments and flight validations are conducted on the improved flight prototype. The wind tunnel experiments show that the increase in flapping frequency has a significant impact on thrust. The trimmed states at different speeds are obtained. The flight validation demonstrates the sustained high-speed flight capability of the aircraft. At a flapping frequency of approximately 15 Hz, the average flight speed of the aircraft is 13.3 m/s within a 15 min duration, which is close to the actual flight speed of pigeons. The duration of high-speed flight is tripled compared to the initial duration. The speed improvement successfully enhances the biomimicry and efficiency of reconnaissance missions per unit time for the aircraft.

Transitioning Science to Practice

ABSTRACTNational security challenges require a new approach to collaborative problem solving to address emergent challenges or opportunities. To effectively address these challenges, development of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies including machine learning (ML) and deep learning (DL), is underway. Advancing AI/ML capabilities requires transdisciplinary research encompassing the fusion of technology and emergent scientific discovery. Achieving this requires a departure from traditional research and development (R&D) methods. New development processes need to support the understanding that research progresses iteratively technology insertion is incremental, and the final capability is evolutionary. We propose a novel systems engineering/research model called the vortical model. The vortical model introduces an iterative framework through which emerging advances in research outcomes are effectively demonstrated and validated for integration, as new capabilities, at varying technology insertion points. Our goal is to facilitate the transfer of knowledge from emerging research for swift, effective integration into the organization's mission capabilities.

Plasma-based etching approach for GEM detector microfabrication at FBK for X-ray polarimetry in space

Gas Electron Multiplier (GEM) detectors are crucial for enabling high-resolution X-ray polarization of astrophysical sources when coupled to custom pixel readout ASIC in Gas Pixel Detectors (GPD), as in the Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer (IXPE), the Polarlight cubesat pathfinder and the PFA telescope onboard the future large enhanced X-ray Timing and Polarimetry (eXTP) Chinese mission. The R&D efforts of the IXPE collaboration have resulted in mature GPD technology. However, limitations in the classical wet-etch or laser-drilled fabrication process of GEMs motivated our exploration of alternative methods. This work focuses on investigating a plasma-based etching approach for fabricating GEM patterns at Fondazione Bruno Kessler (FBK). The objective is to improve the aspect ratio of the GEM holes, to mitigate the charging of the GEM dielectric which generates rate-dependent gain changes. Unlike the traditional wet-etch process, Reactive Ion Etching (RIE) enables more vertical etching profiles and thus better aspect ratios. Moreover, the RIE process promises to overcome non-uniformities in the GEM hole patterns which are believed to cause systemic effects in the azimuthal response of GPDs equipped with either laser-drilled or wet-etch GEMs. We present a GEM geometry with 20 μm in diameter and 50 μm pitch, accompanied by extensive characterization (SEM and PFIB) of the structural features and aspect ratios. The collaboration with INFN Pisa and Turin enabled us to compare the electrical properties of these detectors and test their performance in their use as electron multipliers in GPDs. Although this R&D work is in its initial stages, it holds promise for enhancing the sensitivity of the IXPE mission in X-ray polarimetry measurements through GEM pattern with more vertical hole profiles. The outcomes of this study have the potential to advance the current technological platforms and improve the capabilities of future space-based X-ray polarimetry missions.

A Mission Capability Measuring Methodology of Warship based on Vulnerability Assessment: Focused on Naval Engagement Level Analysis Model

A Mission Capability Measuring Methodology of Warship based on Vulnerability Assessment: Focused on Naval Engagement Level Analysis Model

Maximizing Societal Benefit Across Multiple Hyperspectral Earth Observation Missions: A User Needs Approach

AbstractImaging spectroscopy is a powerful tool used to support diverse Earth science and applications objectives, ranging from understanding and mitigating widespread impacts of climate change to management of water at farm‐scale. Community studies, such as those deployed by NASA's Surface Biology and Geology and ESA's Copernicus Hyperspectral Imaging Mission for the Environment, have offered new and tangible insights into user needs that are then incorporated into overall mission planning and design. These technologies and tools will be key to develop and consolidate downstream services for users and resource management, given the current pressures on the environment posed by climate change and population growth. This process has highlighted the degree to which planned mission capabilities are responsive to community needs. In this study, we analyze user requirements belonging to the Italian Copernicus User Forum and to the user pool of NASA's Surface Biology and Geology community for the synergic use of hyperspectral imaging technology, providing a reference for the development of earth observation services and the consolidation of existing ones. In addition, potential cross‐mission coordination is analyzed to highlight key benefits—(a) addressing shared community needs around products requiring more frequent temporal revisit and (b) shared resources and community expertise around algorithm development. This paper discusses the critical role of early engagement with users to establish a community of practice ready to work with high spatial resolution imaging spectroscopy data sets. The main outcome is a guide for the synergetic use of hyperspectral mission and data together with the identification of the main gaps between user needs and satellite capabilities influencing the development of key national and trans‐national downstream services.

USV Search Mission Planning Methodology for Lost Target Rescue on Sea

Quick and efficient mission planning is essential in maritime search and rescue (SAR). This includes defining the search area and developing an effective strategy. The task is fraught with challenges due to the difficulty of determining location information and the impact of complex meteorological environments. The primary objective of SAR mission planning is the rapid deployment of unmanned surface vehicles (USVs) to the incident area. While many planning algorithms prioritize the shortest route, there’s a lack of mission planning measures that maximize SAR effectiveness. In addition, the joint deployment of USVs increases the success rate compared to individual operations. Therefore, this paper presents a task assignment framework for USVs in SAR missions that considers the probability of success and time constraints. USVs are used to search for lost targets, and the framework consists of the following three modules: (1) a module for predicting the location of the overboard target to be rescued; (2) a module for modeling the probability of mission success; (3) a module for assigning search tasks to USVs. The framework first analyzes the search area. Then, it predicts the target location with a stochastic particle method, which incorporates marine environment forecast data to update the mission target location. To improve the scientific nature of USV search and rescue mission plans, an evaluation model is developed to assess mission capability. Simulation experiments and task scheme analysis validate its effectiveness.

Enhancing UAV Visual Landing Recognition with YOLO's Object Detection by Onboard Edge Computing.

A visual camera system combined with the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) onboard edge computer should deploy an efficient object detection ability, increase the frame per second rate of the object of interest, and the wide searching ability of the gimbal camera for finding the emergent landing platform and for future reconnaissance area missions. This paper proposes an approach to enhance the visual capabilities of this system by using the You Only Look Once (YOLO)-based object detection (OD) with Tensor RTTM acceleration technique, an automated visual tracking gimbal camera control system, and multithread programing for image transmission to the ground station. With lightweight edge computing (EC), the mean average precision (mAP) was satisfied and we achieved a higher frame per second (FPS) rate via YOLO accelerated with TensorRT for an onboard UAV. The OD compares four YOLO models to recognize objects of interest for landing spots at the home university first. Then, the trained dataset with YOLOv4-tiny was successfully applied to another field with a distance of more than 100 km. The system's capability to accurately recognize a different landing point in new and unknown environments is demonstrated successfully. The proposed approach substantially reduces the data transmission and processing time to ground stations with automated visual tracking gimbal control, and results in rapid OD and the feasibility of using NVIDIA JetsonTM Xavier NX by deploying YOLOs with more than 35 FPS for the UAV. The enhanced visual landing and future reconnaissance mission capabilities of real-time UAVs were demonstrated.

A Consistent Round-Up Strategy Based on PPO Path Optimization for the Leader-Follower Tracking Problem.

Single UAVs have limited capabilities for complex missions, so suitable solutions are needed to improve the mission success rate, as well as the UAVs' survivability. A cooperative multi-UAV formation offers great advantages in this regard; however, for large and complex systems, the traditional control methods will be invalid when faced with unstable and changing environments. To deal with the poor self-adaptability and high requirements for the environmental state information of traditional control methods for a multi-UAV cluster, this paper proposes a consistent round-up strategy based on PPO path optimization to track targets. In this strategy, the leader is trained using PPO for obstacle avoidance and target tracking, while the followers are expected to establish a communication network with the leader to obtain environmental information. In this way, the tracking control law can be designed, based on the consistency protocol and the Apollonian circle, to realize the round-up of the target and obstacle avoidance. The experimental results show that the proposed strategy can achieve the round-up of the target UAV and guide the pursuing multi-UAV group to avoid obstacles in the absence of the initial detection of the target. In multiple simulated scenarios, the success rates of the pursuit multi-UAV cluster for rounding up the target are maintained above 80%.

Mars mission capabilities enabled by nuclear thermal propulsion

As part of the Artemis era of space exploration, space agencies will be working together with their industry partners to establish systems and infrastructure that enable sustained Lunar missions and develop capabilities for Mars. Lockheed Martin has a longstanding history of designing, building, and operating systems for deep space applications, from Viking to Orion. Lockheed Martin develops concepts, trades, and early system designs for Moon and Mars exploration to enable future missions. In 2016, Lockheed Martin presented a vision for achieving crewed exploration of Mars. Known as Mars Base Camp (MBC), this design reference mission envisioned a crewed vehicle in Martian orbit from which astronauts could perform excursions to Phobos and Deimos and perform telerobotic exploration of the Martian surface, including sample return. This concept served as an “existence proof” for a novel, practical, and affordable path to enable human exploration of the Martian system. In 2017, an update was published that included the production of propellant from water and a single-stage fully reusable Mars lander concept. Then in 2021, Lockheed Martin introduced a nuclear thermal propulsion (NTP) configuration of Mars Base Camp, a technology that will be greatly enabling for crewed missions to Mars. This paper matures the design of the NTP configuration of Mars Base Camp and explores the Mars mission capabilities that the NTP technology will enable. These investigations include optimized trajectories for faster transit to Mars and an analysis of abort scenarios that are made possible by the high thrust and performance of NTP. The results provide insight into the performance and capabilities that are realized when NTP technology is matured and integrated into a Mars transit vehicle. The paper will also describe initial surface infrastructure capabilities that significantly enhance sortie science operations, including mobility and power. The resulting updated Mars Base Camp serves as an example of what is possible with current technologies and technologies under development. The MBC reference mission builds on the capabilities that will be developed and demonstrated through Artemis missions, enabling a viable, sustainable long-term Mars exploration program, with the first crewed Mars mission possible in the 2030s.

Numerical Simulation and Computational Fluid Dynamics Analysis of Two-Dimensional Lid-Driven Cavity Flow Within the Weapon Bay of an Autonomous Fighter Drone

The efficient deployment of weapons in military operations is critical for mission success, and the flow of air within the weapon bay of an autonomous fighter drone plays a vital role in achieving this objective. In this paper, we present a comprehensive numerical simulation and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis of the three-dimensional lid-driven cavity flow within the weapon bay of an autonomous fighter drone. To address this challenging problem, we employ CFD analysis and a multigrid approach to solve the Navier-Stokes equations for the aerodynamic problem. Our simulations include high Reynolds numbers of up to 10,000, which demonstrates the potential of CFD analysis in optimizing the design of autonomous fighter drones for military operations. We evaluate the effectiveness of the linked strongly implicit multigrid technique in estimating high-Re fine-mesh flow solutions using the vorticity-stream function formulation of the two-dimensional incompressible Navier-Stokes equations. The model issue is the driven flow in a square cavity, and we consider meshes up to 1024 x 1024 points and combinations with Reynolds numbers as high as 1000. To further improve the accuracy of our simulations, we employ one-dimensional grid clustering coordinate transformations instead of uniform mesh refinement, as the flow field exhibits one or more secondary vortices. Our findings demonstrate that CFD analysis can provide valuable insights into the complex flow dynamics within the weapon bay of autonomous fighter drones, which can lead to the optimization of their design for enhanced mission capabilities. Overall, our study highlights the significance of numerical simulations and CFD analysis in the design and optimization of autonomous fighter drones for military applications. Our results can serve as a basis for future research in the field of UAV aerodynamics and contribute to the development of more efficient and effective military operations.

Modeling of Neuro-Fuzzy System With Optimization Algorithm as a Support in System Boundary Capability Online Assessment

The system’s ability to execute the task reflects the overall attributes of the equipment system. The mission capability of the equipment system is the result of each system’s interaction; nevertheless, the development of the subsystem has not yet produced a specific study scheme or measuring methodology for the overall system’s capability. This study investigates the real-time feature parameters of equipment systems, as well as the structure and interaction between the task capability of the system. Furthermore, it develops an evaluation model for the formation of the equipment system’s task competence based on the structural equation model. It can reflect the generation characteristics of the system’s mission capability and the emerging sources, provide a scientific basis for enhancing the efficiency of the system, and also support for evaluating the contribution of the subsystems. All of these factors contribute to improving the overall effectiveness of the system. The neuro-fuzzy system is given the learning ability through the application of modified particle swarm optimization. This enabled the elimination of experts or experiences from the process of determining unknown weight coefficients in the system. The neuro-fuzzy model’s inherent adaptability serves as the basis for this evaluation framework. The results of the tests conducted on the model demonstrate its learning efficiency and precision. The results of the experiment using the provided online assessment method demonstrate effectiveness and rationality.

Superconducting Electromagnetic Launch Machine System for Aerospace Applications

The aerospace industry is constantly experimenting with innovative technologies to improve efficiency, effectiveness and sustainability. The use of superconducting machines emerged as a promising solution to address the growing demands of Aerospace applications. Superconducting machines offer significant advantages such as higher power density, reduced weight and improved efficiency compared to conventional electrical machines. However, efficient cooling methods are critical to maintain superconducting materials at low-temperature operating conditions. This abstract provides a comprehensive overview of superconducting machines and their associated cooling systems designed for space applications. A superconducting machine uses high-temperature superconductors to achieve near-zero electrical resistance, enabling high currents to be transmitted with low energy losses. This feature allows development of lightweight and compact electric propulsion systems contribute to improved fuel efficiency and extended mission capabilities in space vehicles. A cooling system is an important component of a superconducting machine because it ensures that the superconducting materials remain below their critical temperature. Various cooling techniques are being explored, including cryogenic cooling, liquid nitrogen cooling, and cryocoolers. These cooling systems effectively extract the heat generated during engine operation, maintaining the superconducting components in their superconducting state.

The EnMAP imaging spectroscopy mission towards operations

EnMAP (Environmental Mapping and Analysis Program) is a high-resolution imaging spectroscopy remote sensing mission that was successfully launched on April 1st, 2022. Equipped with a prism-based dual-spectrometer, EnMAP performs observations in the spectral range between 418.2nm and 2445.5nm with 224 bands and a high radiometric and spectral accuracy and stability. EnMAP products, with a ground instantaneous field-of-view of 30m×30m at a swath width of 30km, allow for the qualitative and quantitative analysis of surface variables from frequently and consistently acquired observations on a global scale. This article presents the EnMAP mission and details the activities and results of the Launch and Early Orbit and Commissioning Phases until November 1st, 2022. The mission capabilities and expected performances for the operational Routine Phase are provided for existing and future EnMAP users.