MODULATED THERMOGRAPHIC ANALYSIS OF THERMAL DIFFUSIVITY IN MATERIALS USING EULERIAN VIDEO MAGNIFICATION

Additive manufacturing systems require in-situ diagnostics to identify defects during builds to properly assess final part properties. However, many defects that originate are sub-surface between newly built layers, which requires x-rays or other cumbersome methods to detect them. Infrared thermography (IRT) is a method that is used to detect the thermal signature of heat flux through an analyzed sample. Although it is a useful technique, depending on the part and heat source employed, the thermal response can be very faint and difficult for typical infrared (IR) detectors to detect and record. Eulerian video magnification (EVM) is an optical amplification technique capable of revealing and displaying periodic temporal and spatial variations in videos that are below the sensitivity of imaging systems. EVM can be used in IR videos to show phenomena occurring at temporal frequencies selected by the user. This work investigates different geometries of periodically heated polymer and metal parts and the optical amplification of temperature gradients to determine their thermal diffusivity via MATLAB based application of the Angstrom Method. This type of imaging can also be employed to reveal layer adhesion flaws well below a surface, thus potentially allowing for a non-destructive visualization of the print quality of metal components or structures.Distribution Statement A. Approved for public release: Distribution is unlimited.Ensign, United States Nav

MEASURING SURFACE SHIP MISSION EFFECTIVENESS FOR A GREENER FLEET

The U.S. Navy aims to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, necessitating a reduction in ship carbon emissions without compromising mission effectiveness. This thesis introduces a method to index carbon emissions and mission effectiveness for ship designs during the conceptual phase. A regression model, based on early-known physical attributes of ships, was developed and compared to mission effectiveness, determined by analyzing mission sets and capabilities. This resulted in the creation of the Surface Carbon-Mission Index. The findings serve as a baseline for future research where other factors may be incorporated, such as hull form, radar ranges, and weapon system efficacy to improve the resolution of the mission components and additional data used to refine the carbon emissions regression.Distribution Statement A. Approved for public release: Distribution is unlimited.Ensign, United States NavyOffice of Naval Research, Arlington, VA, 2221

IMPLEMENTING INTEGER LINEAR PROGRAMMING TO OPTIMIZE ON-ORBIT SERVICING MISSIONS

Historically, satellite maintenance has been conducted by manned missions launched to service only one satellite. This carries with it inherent risks and large costs. On-orbit servicing (OOS) is a mission concept for employing satellite servicer vehicles, either employed from an orbital “depot” or launched with mission-specific supplies, to conduct maintenance of satellites in orbit. In order to service multiple satellites in one mission, these servicer vehicles must be capable of completing multiple sequential orbital transfers, which are costly in terms of both fuel and time. With limited capacity for fuel onboard, selecting the proper sequence to minimize the fuel or time spent on each mission is of great interest. This thesis formulates an integer linear program for determining the optimal sequence of satellites to be visited. Our model accounts for changes to satellite orbits over time and allows for the possibility that the servicer may wait between transits in order for the orbits to reach a more desirable configuration. We implement the model in Python and find solutions to a series of satellite sets of various sizes to examine the model’s computation time and the fuel usage and time required to execute the resulting sequence of transits.Distribution Statement A. Approved for public release: Distribution is unlimited.Outstanding ThesisCaptain, United States Marine Corp

DECISION-MAKING ON STRATEGIES FOR LIFE EXTENSION OF SHIPS IN THE BRAZILIAN NAVY USING A TECHNO-ECONOMIC ANALYSIS APPROACH

This research presents a techno-economic methodology to support decision-making in extending the service life of ships in the Brazilian Navy. Addressing the dual challenge of operating an aging fleet within budgetary constraints, the proposed framework combines technical assessments with economic considerations. This integrated approach merges reliability principles and probability failure predictions to technically assess ship condition with a cost-benefit analysis to evaluate economic viability, ensuring decisions are both technically sound and economically justified. The potential of the proposed methodology is illustrated through a case study involving a ship within the Brazilian Navy fleet. Three life extension options (reuse, refurbishment and replacement) are analyzed based on available data. The findings recommend adopting the “reuse” strategy.Distribution Statement A. Approved for public release: Distribution is unlimited.Capitão de Corveta, Brazilian Nav

AUTONOMOUS UNMANNED SURFACE VESSELS IN NAVAL WARFARE: SYSTEM SAFETY AND ETHICAL IMPLICATIONS IN CONGESTED AND LITTORAL WATERS

The growing desire of deploying unmanned surface vessels (USVs) in naval operations is attributed to their effectiveness demonstrated in capability development trials. However, to remove human-in-the-loop in current USV operations presents significant ethical challenges, including attributing responsibility, complying with international law, operating safely, and distinguishing non-combatants in congested and littoral straits. This thesis adds to the understanding of key enablers for small and medium-sized autonomous USV deployment with a complementary system safety approach. First, we build a notional vignette based on ethical challenges and hazards identified using system theoretic process analysis (STPA). We then measure the utility and complexity of USVs conducting autonomous launch and recovery (LAR), navigation, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR), and firing. Using our system-level model, our analysis finds humans must retain active control when resorting to firing, exert supervisory control during navigation and ISR, and allow zero human control in LAR operations. While human operators can be the moral agents to augment artificial intelligence (AI)'s lack of emotion and reasoning, the concept of meaningful human control is central to our recommendations. We recommend additional measures such as clarity in roles and responsibilities, along with training and certification, to prevent humans from being the moral crumple zone of AI.Distribution Statement A. Approved for public release: Distribution is unlimited.Military Expert 5, Republic of Singapore NavyMajor, Republic of Singapore Nav

CREAM SKIMMING OR BARREL SCRAPING? AN ANALYSIS OF LATERAL CAREER MOVES AMONGST MARINE CORPS OFFICERS

Force Design 2030 and subsequent associated directives have ushered in significant changes across the Marine Corps, both in personnel and equipment. One of the greatest personnel changes is the emphasis on lateral moves, in which Marines shift from one primary military occupational specialty to another. These lateral moves allow the service to align interest and talent to address manpower deficiencies. In this thesis, I analyze performance records of Marine Corps Ground Officers from 1999 to 2022 and employ regression analysis to examine pre- and post-move performance trends of officers who undertake lateral moves. This analysis aims to determine whether these moves are characterized by "cream skimming", with high performers leaving certain fields, or by "barrel scraping", with low performers moving. My research indicates that from 1999 to 2006 there was a modest but statistically significant negative trend in performance of those opting for lateral moves relative to their peers who did not. However, these effects were not observed during more recent time periods. Further regression results indicate a mostly negative, but statistically insignificant coefficient for performance among those who lateral move, indicating no substantial difference between them and their peers who remain in their original field. Furthermore, those that execute a lateral move tend to receive performance evaluations comparable to their peers in their new job field immediately after a lateral move.Distribution Statement A. Approved for public release: Distribution is unlimited.Captain, United States Marine Corp

MACHINE LEARNING METHOD TO OPTIMIZE TARGETING OF PHYSICAL NETWORK WITH STOCHASTIC OUTCOME

Physical network infrastructure transporting resources, such as fuel, electricity and water, are critical to the survivability of a nation. These infrastructures could be attractive targets for the adversary. One such attempt could be launching of artilleries to interdict these networks. Such an attack is stochastic with certain probability of kill on the arcs subjected to different errors. A defender would want to ensure that the critical networks are robust against such interdictions. While arcs of the physical network may not appear physically connected, they can often be situated close to each other geographically; a single attack may simultaneously disrupt multiple arcs. Therefore, analyzing only the network's physical connectivity, without considering the geographical dependencies of the arcs, could lead to an overly optimistic assessment of the network's robustness. One way to analyze the robustness of the network would be to assume the role of an attacker with full knowledge of the network infrastructure. The attacker would identify aim points to target the network with the objective of minimizing the expected maximum flow of resources from the source to sink. The objective of the thesis is to investigate the potential of utilizing machine learning methods to discern sets of viable aim points that can effectively fulfill the attacker's goal. The trained model achieved an accuracy of 85%, indicating a promising foundation for further enhancements in future iterations.Distribution Statement A. Approved for public release: Distribution is unlimited.Civilian, DSO National Laboratories, Singapor

DEVELOPMENT OF A SMALL, SPACE-BASED TERAHERTZ-TO-INFRARED IMAGING SYSTEM

Direct imaging of terahertz (THz) radiation has useful applications in space-based remote sensing of the upper ionosphere. Researchers at the Naval Postgraduate School have developed a terahertz-to-infrared band-converting metamaterial focal plane array (FPA) using micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) fabrication techniques. The FPA is designed to absorb selective narrowband THz radiation at 2.06 THz and 4.75 THz, associated with atomic oxygen electron transitions, and convert it to long-wave infrared radiation (LWIR). The emitted LWIR can then be imaged by an uncooled microbolometer infrared camera. This effectively converts the THz emitting scene into an IR image that can be directly interpreted. In order for this technology to be tested in space, an optical system was designed, tested, and built to effectively utilize the band-converting capability of the FPA. The form factor of the resulting optical system, called the Terahertz Imaging Camera (TIC), is compatible with standard 6U CubeSat bus size, weight, and power requirements. The system is divided into two distinct sections, independent of each other due to separation by the FPA. The THz section focuses distant THz radiation onto the FPA via a 90°-fold parabolic mirror, while the IR section focuses the backside of the FPA onto the LWIR camera for imaging via two Ge meniscus lenses. The sensitivity of the system was found to be 1.0 K/µW, which translates to a 50 nW minimum detectable power by the LWIR camera.Distribution Statement A. Approved for public release: Distribution is unlimited.Major, United States Air Forc

THE BONHOMME RICHARD AMPHIBIOUS ASSAULT SHIP FIRE: AN INTERNAL CONTROL ANALYSIS

The fire aboard the USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6), a catastrophic incident that occurred on July 12, 2020, has raised critical questions about the effectiveness of internal controls within naval operations. This capstone research study explores the events leading up to the fire, analyzing the various internal control factors that contributed to its escalation. This study primarily reviews the formal command investigation as well as the Major Fires Review associated with the investigation into the mishap. This research also incorporates information from the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) Internal Control-Integrated Framework and the Government Accountability Office Green Book to identify actionable deficiencies. Five research questions regarding internal control factors that led to significant deficiencies and negative patterns in naval operations are addressed. An internal control analysis underscores the significance of robust internal controls in preventing and mitigating the impact of such disasters. This study enhances the Navy’s understanding of internal controls within naval operations and provides operative observations for policy and training augmentation. By examining the USS Bonhomme Richard incident through the lens of internal controls, this study aims to guide future policies and practices to prevent similar disasters and enhance overall operational resilience.Distribution Statement A. Approved for public release: Distribution is unlimited.Outstanding ThesisEnsign, United States Nav

ORGANIZATIONAL JUSTICE CASE STUDY

The purpose of this thesis is to produce an academic case study for use in the United States Naval Academy’s NL310 Leadership Theory and Applications course analyzing the concepts of organizational justice, the Constitutional Paradigm, moral disengagement, and power and influence. We begin with an overview of the course, to include midshipman leadership development curriculum, course structure, and topics covered. We then provide a brief background on the United States Marine Corps response to the COVID-19 pandemic, as a lens to examine the themes of the case study. Finally, we discuss the case study methodology and its utility in academics. The case focuses on an artillery battery led by Captain X, who, while deployed in support of the Unit Deployment Program, is told that he must send all unvaccinated Marines home. This presents two issues: first, it would drastically reduce his combat power, and second, Captain X suspects that several of the Marines who are claiming a religious exemption to the vaccine are doing so only to take leave of the deployment early. Students must decide how they would respond if they were Captain X.Distribution Statement A. Approved for public release: Distribution is unlimited.Captain, United States Marine CorpsLieutenant, United States NavyCaptain, United States Marine Corp