Shock Assessment of Interchangeable Systems Modules

Symposium PresentationApproved for public release; distribution is unlimited

Expanding Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats (RHIBs) Survivability via Cost-effective Up-armoring

NPS NRP Project PosterSmall boat crews operating Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats (RHIBs) during Maritime Interdiction Operations (MIO), are often left exposed to adversaries' hostile actions. In conducting Vessel Boarding Search and Seizure (VBSS) and other close-in surface actions boarding teams are prone to gunfire from above, placing them and their small craft at significant risk. While the RHIB is well known for being swift, lightweight, highly maneuverable, and multifunctional, it suffers from an unshielded distant approach, a need for demanding boat handling skills, assumes generally inferior positioning and full exposure while laying alongside larger vessels. To reduce crew casualties and increase RHIB critical component survivability without negatively impacting operational mission success, a cost-effective, lightweight, unencumbering, and easily installable retrofit is needed. This study will investigate appropriate material solutions to protect against small arms, and blast fragmentation effects, while not deterring from the vessel's mission. Additionally, impacts on buoyancy, stability, and other ship's performance characteristics will be studied. Finally, cost and maintenance considerations will be explored as part of the recommended outcomes.N9 - Warfare SystemsThis research is supported by funding from the Naval Postgraduate School, Naval Research Program (PE 0605853N/2098). https://nps.edu/nrpChief of Naval Operations (CNO)Approved for public release. Distribution is unlimited.

Modeling & Simulation Education for the Acquisition and T&E Workforce: FY07 Deliverable Package

This report was prepared for CAPT Mike Lilienthal, PhD, CPE, and funded by ASN (RDA) CHENG and the Modeling and Simulation Coordination Office (MSCO).This technical report presents the deliverables for calendar year 2007 for the "Educating the Modeling and Simulation Workforce" project performed for the DoD Modeling and Simulation Steering Committee. It includes the results for spirals one and two. Spiral one is an analysis of the educational needs of the program manager, systems engineer, and test and evaluation workforces against a set of educational skill requirements developed by the project team. This is referred to as the 'learning matrix'. Spiral two is a set of module and course matrices, along with delivery options, that meets the educational needs indentified in spiral one. This is referred to as the 'learning architecture'. Supporting materials, such as case studies and a handbook, are included. These documents serve as the design framework for spirals three and four, to be completed in CY2008, and which involve the actual production and testing of the courses in the learning architecture and their longitudinal assessment. This report includes the creative work of a seven university consortium and a group of M&S stake-holders, together comprising over 60 personnel.ASN (RDA) CHENG and the Modeling and Simulation Coordination Office (MSCO).This report was prepared for CAPT Mike Lilienthal, PhD, CPE, and funded by ASN (RDA) CHENG and the Modeling and Simulation Coordination Office (MSCO)

Monte Carlo study of tunable negative-zero-positive index of refraction in nanosphere dispersed liquid crystals

Khoo et al.1, 2 have shown that nanosphere dispersed nematic liquid crystal (NDLC) constitutes a new type of metamaterial with index of refraction tunable from negative to positive values. Recently3 we have combined this approach with Monte Carlo simulations of inhomogeneous molecular order in planar NLC cells. Lebwohl - Lasher effective hamiltonian with Rapini - Papoular term for anchoring forces was used. Electric field and amplitude of anchoring forces are control parameters which determine the profiles of order parameter. In this paper we study, using the same approach, local spatial distribution of refractive index in NDLC planar cell. We show that NDLC material consists of layers with negative-zero-positive index of refraction. The spatial organization of those layers strongly depends on incident light wavelength. The role of spatially modulated external electric field for tuning of refractive index of NDLC is briefly discussed

Analysis of the specifications and capabilities for the next-generation LRUSV

NPS NRP Executive SummaryBased on recent priorities for digital engineering strategy within DoD, there is an opportunity for coordinated research efforts tailored towards unmanned surface vehicles. Such efforts are focused on utilization of models to inform decision making based on a single source of authoritative truth, facilitating integration of new technologies and improvement to coordination and communication across stakeholders and engineers. In support of those objectives, this work proposes a coordination of research and design work as appropriate. The primary focus is the analysis of capabilities and functions for the Long Range Unmanned Surface Vessel (LRUSV). To expand that design and to demonstrate the utility of digital engineering as an integrating mechanism, this work will utilize the ship design experience and expertise of Navy engineers and the operational experience of NPS students to conduct innovative early stage design projects that examine both the operational and design considerations for unmanned surface vessels. The operational modeling conducted at NPS will focus on the full spectrum of vessel operations. In accordance with the digital engineering concept, that operational modeling will be conducted simultaneously with an expanded analysis effort, with an emphasis on a shared starting point and problem set. This will result in a more focused tradeoff environment, where operational experience and input informs the design effort of engineers and the design experience of engineers informs operational modeling and capability assessment. Joint Cross-service Research Project ID NPS-21-J218-A (combines topics NPS-21-N218 and NPS-21-M181)PEO C4I (PMW 760)ASN(RDA) - Research, Development, and AcquisitionMarine Corps Forces Command (COMMARFORCOM)This research is supported by funding from the Naval Postgraduate School, Naval Research Program (PE 0605853N/2098). https://nps.edu/nrpChief of Naval Operations (CNO)Approved for public release. Distribution is unlimited.

Biological markers for anxiety disorders, OCD and PTSD: A consensus statement. Part II: Neurochemistry, neurophysiology and neurocognition.

OBJECTIVE: Biomarkers are defined as anatomical, biochemical or physiological traits that are specific to certain disorders or syndromes. The objective of this paper is to summarise the current knowledge of biomarkers for anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). METHODS: Findings in biomarker research were reviewed by a task force of international experts in the field, consisting of members of the World Federation of Societies for Biological Psychiatry Task Force on Biological Markers and of the European College of Neuropsychopharmacology Anxiety Disorders Research Network. RESULTS: The present article (Part II) summarises findings on potential biomarkers in neurochemistry (neurotransmitters such as serotonin, norepinephrine, dopamine or GABA, neuropeptides such as cholecystokinin, neurokinins, atrial natriuretic peptide, or oxytocin, the HPA axis, neurotrophic factors such as NGF and BDNF, immunology and CO2 hypersensitivity), neurophysiology (EEG, heart rate variability) and neurocognition. The accompanying paper (Part I) focuses on neuroimaging and genetics. CONCLUSIONS: Although at present, none of the putative biomarkers is sufficient and specific as a diagnostic tool, an abundance of high quality research has accumulated that should improve our understanding of the neurobiological causes of anxiety disorders, OCD and PTSD.The present work was supported by the Anxiety Disorders Research Network (ADRN) within the European College of Neuropsychopharmacology Network Initiative (ECNP-NI). Katherina Domschke’s work was supported by the German Research Foundation (DFG), Collaborative Research Centre “Fear, Anxiety, Anxiety Disorders” SFB-TRR-58, project C02.This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from Taylor & Francis via http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/15622975.2016.119086