Methodology to improve aviation security with terrorist using aircraft as a weapon

The aviation industry is a large network of agglomerated systems that connects people and places. Since the 9/11 attacks, aviation security in the United States has undergone tremendous changes and improvements. Nonetheless, threat detection mechanisms remain imperfect as seen from hijacking attempts by passengers who have gone undetected via security. Alternate ways of thinking and looking at security was explored through a system perspective. The focus was on passenger security system with the intention of identifying potential areas of improvement for aviation security with terrorist using aircraft as a weapon. A supply chain approach was taken as the model to move and deliver people as goods through security checks to the aircrafts. Together with this approach, the concept of risks, uncertainties and the associated risk assessment of potentially defective goods were examined. A systems engineering process was used. Through systematic analysis scrutinizing interactions between airport objects and passengers (as objects), this thesis pin-points possible gaps, and thereby identify approaches or means to safeguard and counter these risks. Analysis included the exploration of the trade space between different entities within the system and the interactions between objects, functions, processes, and its associated results.http://archive.org/details/methodologytoimp1094537716Military Expert 5 (ME5), Singapore ArmyApproved for public release; distribution is unlimited

Viable short-term directed energy weapon naval solutions: a systems analysis of current prototypes

With conventional weapons nearing their peak capability, the need to identify alternative war fighting solutions suggests a look at Directed Energy Weapons (DEWs). The goal is to change the means by which warfare is conducted to improve operational efficiencies and overall effectiveness. The Naval Postgraduate School Systems Engineering and Analysis (SEA-19B) Capstone project team examined how existing directed energy technologies can provide performance across multiple warfare area domains and mission subsets for the U.S. Navy. The aim was to identify and characterize the capability gaps with conventional weapons systems, produce a coherent vision of naval missions that incorporate DEWs, and generate a roadmap for a DEW fleet. By conducting a thorough Analysis of Alternatives based on system performance, integration, schedule, and cost, the project team identified that the Tactical Laser System (with a laser beam power of 10 kW) provided the best overall capability to defend surface combatants, although none of the analyzed DEWs have the capability to replace a current conventional weapon. The Active Denial System (microwave) provided a niche capability in the Anti-Terrorism/Force Protection mission set.http://archive.org/details/viableshorttermd1094534734Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited