Operational Land Research Articles

Loitering munitions – un posibil „game changer” în războiul viitorului

While the nature of warfare remains constant, it is important to acknowledge that its character is evolving due to the influence of new technologies and weapon systems. Recent armed conflicts, such as those in Nagorno-Karabakh, Ukraine, and the Gaza Strip, highlight the importance of technology in military operations’ planning and execution, as well as the need to integrate new technologies and weapon systems within the existing military capabilities in order to enhance their effectiveness. Loitering munitions, also known as “kamikaze drones” or “suicide drones”, are new and versatile weapons that are increasingly used in both conventional and unconventional military confrontations. Military organizations show growing interest in the opportunities and benefits of using these new capabilities. In this context, we aim to investigate the integration of these capabilities into land operations, with a focus on their potential to shape future battlefields and warfare. The study topic is of interest to military planners, military commanders, and defence decision-makers.

Aerodynamic modeling and performance analysis of model predictive controller for fixed wing vertical takeoff and landing unmanned aerial vehicle

This research focuses mainly on the aerodynamic modelling and performance analysis of a model predictive controller for a hybrid fixed-wing vertical takeoff and landing of unmanned aerial vehicle. The aerodynamics, which comprises several aerodynamic characteristics including the lift, drag, and thrust coefficients, is modelled using Newton’s second law of motion. The force and moment equations were obtained, and they were then converted into matrix and state equation form, together with the transformation matrices. The essential equations with six degrees of freedom (6 DoF) and 12 state matrices including the control input and manipulating variables were obtained. The proposed model predictive controller (MPC) was designed using the optimal model predictive controller design parameters, such as a sampling time of 0.1, a prediction horizon of 15, a control horizon of 3 and additional controller settings. With a settling period of 3 s, an overshoot of 0.5865, and a steady state inaccuracy of 0.00785, the MATLAB simulation demonstrates that the system variables, including roll, pitch, and yaw, are stabilized. This MPC control is more effective in anticipating and optimizing the UAV than other control strategies. Eventually, the controller’s simulation on MATLAB Simulink demonstrates the controller’s ability to stabilize and control the system in a real-time application. Autonomous vertical takeoff and landing operations depend heavily on the mathematical model and architecture of the flight controller. Among the uses are inspection, monitoring, and rescue.

Numerical simulation of the slamming effect of regular waves and freak waves on ultra heavy-lift amphibious connector

The Ultra Heavy-lift Amphibious Connector can be used for sea and land operations. When the amphibious connector opens the bow door, it will inevitably suffer from the combined action of wind, waves, currents, and other factors, resulting in the slamming of the wave on the hatch and various landing ship hull movements in the process. Due to the complexity of the actual UHAC model, in order to save computing resources, this paper selects the external load on the UAHC hatch when it is operated in water when the door is closed. The effects of crest height, draught, and focus position on UHAC slamming under the action of regular waves and freak waves were analyzed. Based on the viscous flow theory, the CFD commercial software FLUENT is used to simulate the interaction between the reduction of regular waves and floating structures. The simulation results are compared with the experimental results to verify the feasibility of the proposed method. Since the published UHAC data cannot be found in the network environment, this paper draws the UHAC based on the only data on the Internet and studies the slamming load of the wave on the UHAC on this basis.

Analysis of the shimmy in the landing gear of a general-purpose helicopter for different payloads

Landing gears, which are designed to absorb impact energy in order to provide support to the aircraft during landing, take-off and ground operations, are important components of the structure. Shimmy, which is one of the causes of aircraft failures, is a vibration that occurs as a result of the interaction of tire and landing gear dynamics and can cause an accident. In this study, the shimmy behavior of a helicopter used for civil, military and air ambulance purposes are investigated at different load and taxiing velocities. A landing gear single degree of freedom mathematical model is obtained and a Von Schlippe stressed spring tire model is included. The eigenvalues of the equations of motion are analyzed and stability maps of the system for different operating conditions are obtained. Runge-Kutta method (MATLAB ode45) is used to solve the equations of motion and a viscous damper is proposed. To obtain the damping, versions of the non-Newtonian silicone oil in the damper with different kinematic viscosities were evaluated. Apparent viscosities were obtained using the rheological values of the silicone oil and the analysis was repeated. As a result of the shimmy analysis at the initial velocities and maximum loading values required for the helicopter to taxiing, it was seen that damping was achieved in all conditions by using versions of the silicone oil with higher kinematic viscosities.

Viability, Government Support and the Service Function of Farmer Professional Cooperatives—Evidence from 487 Cooperatives in 13 Cities in Heilongjiang, China

As the main body that unites farmers internally and connects with markets externally, professional farmer cooperatives are playing an increasingly important role around the world. In order to investigate the significant factors influencing this subject in agricultural socialization services, 487 cooperatives in Heilongjiang Province were selected for investigation. The field survey found that many of the better-developed cooperatives have a certain degree of inadequacy in the performance of their service functions. This paper proposes that viability and government support are important factors influencing the realization of the service function of farmer professional cooperatives. Based on the empirical analysis of sample survey data and econometric models, it was demonstrated that the experience of the chairman, the number of board members, the distribution of members, the scale of land operation, profitability, and the institutional arrangement of the cooperatives are an important embodiment of the viability of the cooperatives. These factors significantly influence the service function of cooperatives in different sections, including pre-production, mid-production, and post-production. Moreover, obtaining external support from the government is necessary for cooperatives at their primary stage of development, especially regarding relevant training, which can facilitate the realization of the service functions of cooperatives in all aspects.

The Second-Round Effects of the Agriculture Value Chain on Farmers’ Land Transfer-In: Evidence from the 2019 Land Economy Survey Data of Eleven Provinces in China

In the context of the separation of three rights of land and agricultural modernization, this paper is based on the land economic survey data from eleven provinces in China in 2019, covering the eastern, middle, and western regions of China. Based on the value chain theory and its “second-round effect”, which pertains to the multi-round effects of value chain distribution theory, various research methods such as Probit, Tobit, the two-part model, SFA, PSM, and the intermediary effect model are employed to analyze the direct impact of the agriculture value chain (AVC) on farmers’ land factor inputs and the income effects caused by them, which are the “second-round effect” of the AVC on land factor inputs. The research results show the following: Firstly, the AVC has a significant positive impact on the behavior and area of farmers’ land transferring-in, which helps guide farmers towards large-scale land operation. Secondly, the AVC significantly improves farmers’ production efficiency and promotes land transfer through differences in production efficiency, representing the “second-round effect” mechanism of the AVC on land factor inputs. Moreover, the AVC will increase farmers’ net land production income by 48.74%, which is the “second-round effect” of the AVC on farmers’ agricultural income and also the motivation for farmers’ land factor inputs. Finally, the expansion of land area and the improvement of production efficiency jointly increase farmers’ agricultural income, among which production efficiency plays a partial intermediary effect in increasing agricultural income if farmers join the AVC. This paper believes that we should further promote the market-oriented reform of land factors, support the innovation of the benefit linkage mechanism of the AVC, and promote appropriate areas of land operation by farmers, thereby achieving common prosperity and promoting agricultural modernization in China.

The integration of multi-domain capabilities in land forces units combined arms operations

Current conflicts, ongoing across the globe, have highlighted the need for a new form of warfare that reduces the number of casualties and the degree of destruction and, at the same time, mitigates the effects of hybrid means, ubiquitous in the doctrine of all actors. This new approach to warfare utilizes multi-domain operations as a means of achieving success. Although multi-domain operations have been conducted in the past, the concept that encompasses the process of these operations is novel, and there are still significant adjustments that need to be made to make it operational for all actors. This article aims to study the integration of multi-domain operations into land operations by identifying the strengths and limitations of their development process, the conditions and principles of their integration at the land forces level, resulting from a comparative analysis of US and Russian Federation approaches, as well as from lessons learned from current conflicts.

Soil Adjusted Vegetation Index, Normalize Difference Buildup Index, and Land Surface Temperature between 1987 and 2023 in Abuja Municipal Area Council, Nigeria

Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) is experiencing rapid urban expansion, which is expected to impact land surface temperatures (LST). This paper evaluates the trends in soil adjusted vegetation index (SAVI), normalize difference buildup index (NDBI), and land surface temperature (LST) between 1987 and 2023 in AMAC using Landsat 4 Thematic Mapper and Landsat 8 Operational Land Imager/Thermal Infrared Sensor imagery, respectively. Results show that in 1987, SAVI ranged from -0.126 to 0.477, NDBI from -0.186 to 0.678, and LST from 27.18 to 46.4 oC. In 2023, SAVI ranged from -0.253 to 0.71, NDBI from -0.308 to 0.619, and LST from 23.89 to 46.57 oC. Analysis showed an increase in vegetation in 2023 compared to 1987. Built-up and bareland areas became more concentrated in the northeast in 2023 compared to 1987, and temperature reductions were observed in areas with increased vegetation, notably in the south and southwest. Correlation analysis indicated a strong negative relationship (-0.772) between SAVI and LST in 1987, weakening in 2023 (-0.389). NDBI and LST remained moderately positively correlated (0.645 in 1987, 0.621 in 2023). Significant differences (P<0.01) were observed between 1987 and 2023 SAVI, NDBI, and LST values. These findings have important implications for environmental monitoring, and urban planning in rapidly urbanizing areas such as AMAC

Mid-fidelity NATO generic destroyer static and moving-ship airwake simulations using the Lattice-Boltzmann method compared with experimental data

During rotorcraft ship-deck landing operations, complex interactional aerodynamic phenomena occur between the rotor and ship airwakes which are not fully understood. To aid in ship–rotorcraft interactional investigations, efficient mid-fidelity ship airwake solutions are needed. Additionally, the effects of ship motion have not been explored much. In this study, the NATO Generic Destroyer, a shared, representative ship geometry created for collaborative studies, was investigated numerically using a GPU-accelerated Lattice-Boltzmann Method solver, and the ship airwake results compared with wind tunnel measurements using discrete velocity probes on the landing deck. The ship surface was modeled using a robust Grad immersed boundary approach, and ship motion was thereby included in the simulations. Ship airwake results showed good agreement with the experiment and excellent computational performance. Simulations took under four hours to run on a single GPU node. This is several orders of magnitude improvement over traditional Delayed Detached-Eddy Simulations typically used to solve this problem, which may take days or weeks on CPU-based HPC clusters.

The Scaling-up of Agricultural Mechanization Services and the Re-shaping of Small-Scale Household Farming in China

Abstract Taking the case of the agricultural mechanization service industry as an example, this study discusses the dynamics of the transformation of China’s agricultural contracting service industry in the context of the scaling-up of agricultural production, and how the transformation is reshaping small-scale household farming in grain production. With the accelerated growth of farmland transfer, large-scale agricultural producers have been emerging rapidly in different parts of China in the past years. Since their demand for agricultural contracting services is different from that of small-scale household producers, the scaling-up of agricultural production has promoted the scaling-up of agricultural contracting services. Meanwhile, the capital surplus in the agricultural machinery manufacturing industry has created three consequences simultaneously: the excess supply of agricultural mechanization services, the acceleration of agricultural machinery renewal, and the rising cost of machinery purchases. The interactions of these three factors not only raised the threshold of the agricultural machinery service industry, which makes it difficult for part-time service providers to survive market competition, but also shortened the time window for machinery service provision, which makes it difficult for large-scale agricultural producers to balance land operation and machinery service provision. Consequently, large-scale agricultural machinery service organizations are continuously replacing those small-scale part-time service providers. During this process, small-scale household producers engaged in grain production are faced with increasing risks of being excluded from farming, both directly and indirectly, as it is difficult for small producers to deal with large service organizations, and the small-scale part-time service providers that used to serve them are continually being replaced.

Optimization of Double Hole Composite Plate on the Floater Compartment of Amphibious Aircraft Using Taguchi Method

A floater or pontoon is one of the most important components of amphibious aircraft to assist the take-off and landing operation. The inner structure of the floater consists of compartments to carry some payload and to reinforce the structural strength due to water and aerodynamic load that occurred during the aircraft operation. The composite material is chosen instead of metal to reduce the weight of the floater. One of the problems on the composite panel is the existence of some holes due to joint with another part or also to minimize its weight. In this study, the optimization of the composite plate with the existence of a double hole is done using the Taguchi Method. The objective of this optimization is to minimize the stress that happens due to the tensile load. The Finite Element Method is used to calculate the maximum stress and stress distribution on the plate. Tsai-Hill failure criterion is used to make sure that the optimum design does not fail. This optimization considers open hole configuration, the ratio between diameter, and hole distance, as well as the fiber orientation as the control factors. The Taguchi L9 Orthogonal Array is used to make 9 design variations from 3 control factors and 3 levels. This process also considers the thickness of the lamina and material strength as noise factors. The optimization process results in the optimum composite design as follows: 1st double hole configuration (in line with the load direction), the ratio between diameter and hole distance is 0.5, and the fiber direction is [0/90/45/-45]s. The maximum in-plane stress of the optimum design is 39.56 MPa with the Tsai-Hill value is 0.23, so the design does not fail. This optimum configuration of the composite plate can be used to make design considerations for an amphibious aircraft floater compartment.

Parametric analysis of thermal cycle of a short take-off and vertical landing engine

Abstract Short take-off/vertical landing (STOVL) engine is an emerging power source for fighter planes that can perform takeoff and landing operations in tight quarters. As the aforementioned function requires specific component design and matching, it is vitally necessary to study the impacts of various component states on engine performance and stability. This paper develops a performance model for STOVL engines based on nonlinear component models and validates the modelʼs correctness. Variable component working conditions and settings are altered, engine performance is forecasted and observed, and the mechanism underlying this trend is investigated. The results indicate that the performance of the STOVL engine is greatly influenced by the design parameters of the gas path, such as the bypass ratio and the injection volume of the roll nozzle, and is highly dependent on the correct adjustment of the rear bypass injector and the throat area of the nozzle.

About the Main Directions of Transport Strategies of the State and Private Companies

The article discusses the main positive and negative factors that determine the volume of the cargo base of the east-west transboundary transport corridors passing through the territory of Georgia. The emphasis is placed on the problems of the development of rail transport to the Caspian Sea and water transport along the route of the Caspian and then the Black Sea. The new evolutionary concept for attracting additional cargo on Eurasian routes is proposed. In addition, the author discusses the global maritime container services, which are represented by transnational corporations that carry out significant assets in the world market, and own fleets of container ships, containers, container terminals in ports, dry ports, and land transport systems. Cargo shipping lines and a wide clientele were established. The article notes that business concentration processes continue in the market to ensure a continuous and efficient transport and logistics process, to reduce the cost of cargo delivery, to meet better the needs of customers, and to strengthen the competitive advantages compared to other maritime and land operators, trains. The work includes the examples of the world's largest companies in the field of container shipping: Maersk Lines (Denmark), Mediterranean Shipping Company (Switzerland), and CMA CGM (France), which have created a powerful alliance called the P3 Network, which includes the creation of Joint Vessel Traffic Operations Center. The alliance aims to provide the worthy European response to China's growing influence on the global transport sector. The article mentions Georgia's interest in integration into the European transport system. Keywords: Railway transport, transport corridors, containerization of cargo flows, transport engineering.

Evidence of a small, island-associated population of common bottlenose dolphins in the Mariana Islands

Small, island-associated populations of cetaceans have evolved around numerous oceanic islands, likely due to habitat discontinuities between nearshore and offshore waters. However, little is known about the ecology and structure of cetacean populations around the Mariana Islands, a remote archipelago in the western Pacific Ocean. We present sighting, photo-identification, and genetic data collected during twelve years of surveys around these islands that reveal the existence of a small, island-associated population of bottlenose dolphins. Nearly half of the photo-identified individuals were encountered in more than one year. Both haplotypic and nuclear genetic diversity among sampled individuals was low (haplotypic diversity = 0.701, nuclear heterozygosity = 0.658), suggesting low abundance. We used mark-recapture analysis of photo-identification data to estimate yearly abundance in the southern portion of the population’s range from 2011 to 2018. Each abundance estimate was less than 54 individuals, with each upper 95% confidence interval below 100. Additional survey effort is necessary to generate a full population abundance estimate. We found extensive introgression of Fraser’s dolphin DNA into both the mitochondrial and nuclear genomes of the population, suggesting at least two hybridization events more than two generations in the past. The Mariana Islands are used extensively by the U.S. military for land and sea training operations. Thus, this unique bottlenose dolphin population likely faces high exposure to multiple threats.

SIMULATION MODEL OF A MISSILE STRIKE

Abstract. As modern naval warfare systems and tactics continue to evolve, it is crucial to employ contemporary tools capable of assessing their potential across various combat scenarios. This study model simulates interactions between anti-ship missiles and naval forces during landing operations. Our research seeks to develop a robust method for quantitatively analyzing the impact of anti-ship missiles on naval vessels under diverse combat conditions. The model's scalability allows for the incorporation of emerging naval tactics and procedures, maintaining its relevance and utility in dynamic strategic environments. It supports enhancements in precision through statistical analysis and ongoing assessments of new weaponry and technological advancements. By simulating a broad range of missile types, naval strategies, warship classes, aircraft, reconnaissance systems, and electronic warfare capabilities, the model provides insights into the strategic utility of anti-ship missiles. Our findings aim to optimize the allocation of military resources by accurately determining the necessary missile quantities to thwart enemy naval landings, thereby enhancing the effectiveness and efficiency of defensive operations. Keywords: Anti-ship missiles, missile guidance, naval landing, simulation framework, missile damage estimation.

Разработка сети передачи данных для удаленного диспетчерского обслуживания полетов в аэропорту Магаданской области

Implementation of the method of Remote and Virtual Tower, or Remote Tower Service (RTS), for air traffic management at small-size airports is a modern task. This method ensures an increased efficiency of air traffic at small- and medium-sized airports from an economic point of view. The operation of airports with a low flight intensity is an important element of the air navigation system in Russia. Here, the largest part of airports is characterized by the traffic intensity not exceeding 10 landing and take-off operations during the day. In this regard, there is a need to use radio engineering support for flights at such airports. This article addresses the specifics of implementation of RTS technology in small-sized airports. The results of using wireless broadband access (WBA) to build data transmission networks (DTN) are presented. Grounds for selecting a DTN model in airports with a low flight intensity are analyzed and justified.

Enhancing unmanned aerial vehicle capabilities: integrating YOLO algorithms for diverse industrial applications

The integration of UAVs with advanced deep learning algorithms, particularly the You Only Look Once models, has opened new horizons in various industries. This paper explores the transformative impact of YOLO-based systems across diverse sectors, including agriculture, forest fire detection, ecology, marine science, target detection, and UAV navigation. We delve into the specific applications of different YOLO models, ranging from YOLOv3 to the lightweight YOLOv8, highlighting their unique contributions to enhancing UAV functionalities. In agriculture, UAVs equipped with YOLO algorithms have revolutionized disease detection, crop monitoring, and weed management, contributing to sustainable farming practices. The application in forest fire management showcases the capability of these systems in real-time fire localization and analysis. In ecological and marine sciences, the use of YOLO models has significantly improved wildlife monitoring, environmental surveillance, and resource management. Target detection studies reveal the efficacy of YOLO models in processing complex UAV imagery for accurate and efficient object recognition. Moreover, advancements in UAV navigation, through YOLO-based visual landing recognition and operation in challenging environments, underscore the versatility and efficiency of these integrated systems. This comprehensive analysis demonstrates the profound impact of YOLO-based UAV technologies in various fields, underscoring their potential for future innovations and applications.

Critical meteorological variables in instrumental landing system operations at airports: an in-depth analysis

Critical meteorological variables in instrumental landing system operations at airports: an in-depth analysis

Analisis Data Angin Permukaan di Bandara Udara Depati Amir Pangkalpinang Menggunakan Metode Windrose

Pangkalpinang is a city in the Bangka Belitung Islands that is close to the sea. This indicates that Pangkalpinang is influenced by land winds and sea breezes. The purpose of this study is to analyse the percentage of wind speed and maximum wind speed in Pangkalpinang City in each month. The data used were obtained from synoptic observations of the Depati Amir Class I Meteorological Station in Pangkalpinang from January to December from 2011 to 2020. The data obtained is processed using WRPLOT (Wind Rose Plots for Meteorological Data) software to determine the direction and magnitude of wind speed and produce wind pattern images in the form of wind rose diagrams. The results obtained show that the dominant wind blows from the Southeast (112 - 157°) with the highest wind speed of 1 - 4 knots with a percentage of 42.9%, while the maximum wind speed throughout 2011 - 2020 is 28 knots which occurred in the period January - December 2013. The results obtained show that the wind conditions at Depati Amir Airport Pangkalpinang are still safe for aircraft take-off and landing operations.

The Role of the Byzantine Navy in the Actions of Emperor Louis II of Italy against Bari in 866–871. Louis II’s Letter of 871 to Emperor Basil I (867–886) – as a Source for Marine Military Studies?

The rivalry between the Carolingians and the Byzantines in Italy during the second half of the 9th century faced a new threat – the rise of Islam. Despite the need to unite against the common enemy, mutual suspicion between these two centres of imperial power persisted. This is evident in their joint efforts to confront the Muslim outpost in Apulia, the Emirate of Bari. This article aims to examine the role of the Byzantine fleet in the actions of Emperor Louis II (825–875) during the campaign to eliminate the Emirate of Bari – a task in which the Carolingian ruler was successful. The primary source for this investigation is Louis II’s letter of 871 to Emperor Basil I (867–886). In the letter, the author identifies the links between the activities of Muslims in the Adriatic and Tyrrhenian Seas and their strongholds in Sicily and Africa. Consequently, the author outlines a logical plan to expel the Saracens from Italy, particularly from Campania (Naples) and Calabria, with a crucial role assigned to the Byzantine fleet. The Franks intended to coordinate land operations with the Byzantines in Sicily, aiming to reclaim Palermo – a city, according to the letter, closely linked to the Muslim piracy. However, this plan was based on wishful thinking, as it failed to consider the dispersion of the Byzantine navy, which was simultaneously engaged in conflicts against the forces of the Abbasids, the emirate of Crete, and the Slavic pirates in the Adriatic Sea. These factors, coupled with a growing aversion between the Franks and the Byzantines, ultimately led to the collapse of the alliance and their plans. Despite later successes, the Byzantine fleet was unable to provide timely aid to Sicily and actively counter the advance of Islam on the island.