POWER GENERATION SOLUTIONS FOR THE GREEN ENERGY SHIP

The green energy ship project has been proposed as a potential solution to the current energy problems. This thesis focuses on the design of a power generation plant that turns wind energy into electricity and sits in the heart of the vessel. This paper discusses the concepts that have been proposed in the green energy ship and identifies how they can be practically implemented in a real world design that may be used to close the gap in energy demand and clean energy production. In addition, this thesis provides an overview of the hydrodynamics, performance characteristics, and control and automation requirements of an unmanned sailing vessel, as well as the electrical and mechanical components that would work in the 12 Metre Class sailboat identified as potential testbed. Finally, this paper proposes an algorithm for rectifier control that will act to regulate power flow in the system.Distribution Statement A. Approved for public release: Distribution is unlimited.Commander, United States Nav

USMC SCHOOL AND COURSE CHOICES AND SUCCESS WITH TUITION ASSISTANCE: AN ANALYSIS OF PARTICIPATION AND OUTCOMES 2014–2021

This study examines the relationship between tuition assistance usage, academic success, and Marine Corps retention from 2014 to 2021. Using descriptive statistics, logistic regression models, Kaplan-Meier survival curves, and Cox proportional hazard models, the analysis assesses the effects of tuition assistance on Marines of ranks E1 to E5. Public institutions accounted for 50% of courses taken by Junior Marines, while for-profit and non-profit schools made up 20–25% each. Non-Commissioned Officers saw a decline in for-profit enrollment from 46% to 32%, while public school enrollment increased from 37% to 42%. Private non-profit schools had the highest success rates at 87% for Junior Marines and 92% for Non-Commissioned Officers. Trades and applied professions and military courses had the highest success rates, while STEM and social sciences and humanities had the highest failure rates. Retention rates between three cohorts of Marines showed that those who used tuition assistance were significantly more likely to remain in service. Marines who did not use tuition assistance had a 69% separation rate between years four and six, compared to 44% for successful tuition assistance users and 25% for those who failed at least one course.Distribution Statement A. Approved for public release: Distribution is unlimited.Captain, United States Marine Corp

QUANTIFYING TURBIDITY IN THE NEARSHORE OCEAN

Naval mine countermeasure operations in the littorals depend on water visibility; however, turbid behavior in nearshore environments is largely unknown. This study investigates turbidity in the nearshore/lagoon environment to the 15 m isobath, in relation to hydrodynamic regimes of the Pajaro River estuary in Monterey Bay, California. Observations were made on how turbidity changes through a tidal river into the open ocean, over space and time, and whether the drivers are tides, waves, precipitation, or river discharge. Pairs of turbidity sensors at the top and bottom of the water column gathered data at various sites, along with salinity, temperature, pressure, and current. Data were collected from the October dry season continuously through April into the rainy season. Pajaro River discharge, local wave conditions, and tides were compared with observed turbidity. Findings indicate that the river regime is the dominant forcing mechanism. Shifts in turbidity behavior were also noted as rainfall increased. Tidal impacts were determined to be minimal; however, some indications suggest infragravity wave energy infiltration into the lagoon on flood tides may modulate turbidity signals. The U.S. Navy currently does not measure or forecast turbidity, and this study supports the need for such capabilities. Further study is needed to confirm results and determine definitive drivers of turbidity.Distribution Statement A. Approved for public release: Distribution is unlimited.Ensign, United States Nav

Self-Sealing Hose

A self-sealing hose includes an inner rubber layer compris­ing a first rubber material; and an outer rubber layer com­prising a second rubber material. The second rubber material has an ultimate strain of at least 100% and an elastic limit of at least about 7 MPa. The first rubber material has a modulus measured at 250% elongation of less than about 10 kPa

PERSONALITY AND CHARACTER TRAITS IN NAVAL ACADEMY LEADERSHIP

This capstone investigates the personality traits and character values associated with leadership selection at the United States Naval Academy (USNA). Framed within the Academy’s role as a “leadership laboratory,” the study explores whether the traits most commonly observed among Brigade leaders reflect an intentional leadership model—or if they may signal an implicit preference for certain profiles. Using data from standardized assessments administered during plebe year, including the IPIP-NEO and VIA Character Strengths Survey, the analysis highlights notable patterns among those chosen for leadership roles. The findings raise important questions about the qualities USNA implicitly rewards and how those signals might shape leadership development, selection, and diversity of thought within the Brigade.Distribution Statement A. Approved for public release: Distribution is unlimited.Outstanding ThesisLieutenant, United States NavySenior Chief Petty Officer, United States NavyLieutenant, United States Nav

Employment of Lightly Manned Automated Combat Capability (LMACC) in EABO Operations

NPS NRP Executive SummaryAs the U.S. Navy (USN) moves further into automation and evolution to autonomous warships with weapons onboard, there are necessary conditions that must be met. This project explored a concept of operations (CONOPS) for the lightly manned automated combat capability (LMACC) in support of the USMC’s Expeditionary Advanced Base Operations (EABO) concept and the Marine Littoral Regiment (MLR) in first island chain operations. Additional innovations are necessary to make this into a near-term reality. First, the LMACC is a platform that is weapons and sensor enabled with a set of medium unmanned surface vessels (MUSVs) in a flotilla supported by resilient communications, including a 5G cloud for sensor compilation of targets, and dynamic to contextual changes in the environment. Finally, the MLR is bereft of sea-borne weapons available for naval gunfire support missions. This research examined past results of mounting a 105 mm howitzer and other gun systems that were not automated with stabilizers. The research points to near-term innovations that small civilian shipyards could implement quickly and cheaply. A master’s thesis was completed (classified), and two experiments showed that 5G communications could be extended via a low power wide area network. These studies are discussed in a final report.Approved for public release. Distribution is unlimited.This research is supported by funding from the Naval Postgraduate School, Naval Research Program (PE0605853N/2098). https://nps.edu/nrpChief of Naval Operations (CNO)N9 - Warfare System

Faces of NPS: Lt. Cmdr. James Phan, USN

Faces of NPS features interviews spotlighting the students, faculty, staff and alumni of our Nation's premier defense education and research institution

EXPANSION AND STABILITY ANALYSIS OF A DUAL ATOMIC BEAM GYROSCOPE

Modern Naval vessels utilize Inertial Navigation System (INS) as a navigation tool. Roll, pitch, and yaw data, commonly referred to as attitude data, require onboard gyroscopes and accelerometers. Many weapon systems such as the Navy’s Standard Missile (SM) family require inertial navigation data for operation. Current inertial navigation data for linear acceleration is provided by accelerometers, and rotational acceleration data by optical gyroscopes. However, there are inherent sensitivity limitations to these systems that are fundamentally related to the properties of measuring acceleration changes with a massless photon. If an INS system is being used as a primary method of navigation, it does not have the ability to be checked against another source to reset the drift. This happens when operating in a GPS-denied environment or other situations. Atom interferometry shows promise to provide both linear and rotational data simultaneously with an increase in sensitivity by orders of magnitude relative to current systems, all while being less affected by drift due to the intrinsic characteristics of the atoms which, by definition, do not change over time. Improving the attitude data that INS have access to will significantly enhance both the duration of time they are accurate, and the degree to which they maintain accuracy. This research will continue to investigate the physics of atom interferometry, and the application of this technology as an accelerometer and gyroscope.Distribution Statement A. Approved for public release: Distribution is unlimited.Lieutenant, United States Nav

STRENGTHENING MEDICAL AND PUBLIC HEALTH INTELLIGENCE AT THE LOCAL AND REGIONAL LEVELS

The integration and collective interpretation of medical intelligence (MEDINT) are critical for an effective emergency response to public health crises. Examining established collaborative systems, the collective analysis of MEDINT, and forecasting, this thesis presents case studies of Israel’s intelligence community and the Association of Bay Area Health Officers (ABAHO) in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic to investigate how public health and intelligence communities at local and regional levels can strengthen the collective interpretation of MEDINT. As demonstrated by Israel and ABAHO, by integrating medical and public health intelligence into collaborative systems through multi-agency coordination or fusion centers, thereby integrating expertise across agencies, emergency responders can enhance situational awareness, improve resource allocation, and respond proactively to emerging threats. Thus, policymakers and emergency response agencies should prioritize the development of collaborative systems, cross-sector training, and the integration of MEDINT into fusion centers to enhance public health and safety management at all levels. This thesis recommends formalizing processes to collectively interpret MEDINT at local and regional levels to enhance operational readiness, contributing to more effective emergency management strategies.Distribution Statement A. Approved for public release: Distribution is unlimited.Civilian, San Mateo Count