Critical Vulnerabilities in the Space Domain

Defense Analysis PosterGiven that the American way of war is now inexorably linked to space- based technology and thus increasingly vulnerable, how can nanosatellites be utilized as an alternative to traditional satellite communications architectures to protect against adversaries capable of exploiting such vulnerabilities

CRITICAL VULNERABILITIES IN THE SPACE DOMAIN: USING NANOSATELLITES AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO TRADITIONAL SATELLITE ARCHITECTURES

Today, the U.S. military relies upon space-based technology for a myriad of functions from precision navigation to satellite communication. Satellites greatly enable the modern American military and particularly empower special operations forces across the globe, supporting decentralized and geographically disparate operations. However, the U.S. is highly reliant upon this technology and thus increasingly vulnerable with potential adversaries undoubtedly possessing, or at least cultivating, the ability to attack America's space-based infrastructure. As a safeguard against such vulnerabilities, nanosatellites, cube satellites (CubeSats), and other small satellites are a low-cost and expedient solution to build redundancy and resiliency, offering unique options as an alternative to traditional satellite systems. To support this hypothesis, this thesis provides such an alternative: A Software Assisted VHF Information Overhead Relay-CubeSat (SAVIOR-Cube). SAVIOR-Cube is a software-defined radio (SDR) payload operating as a very high frequency (VHF) relay via a nanosatellite in low Earth orbit. This thesis demonstrates the depth of the problem a payload such as SAVIOR-Cube could solve, the applicability of nanosatellite solutions to U.S. forces today, and the results of extensive testing, culminating with a proof of concept high-altitude balloon flight. Nanosatellites are a viable alternative to traditional space-based infrastructure—a solution to a critical vulnerability.SSC-PAChttp://archive.org/details/criticalvulnerab1094559600Outstanding ThesisMajor, United States ArmyMajor, United States ArmyApproved for public release; distribution is unlimited

Special Operations Forces as a Rapid Prototyping Laboratory

The article of record may be found at https://cgsr.llnl.govThis work was performed under the auspices of the U.S. Department of Energy by Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in part under Contract W-7405-Eng-48 and in part under Contract DE-AC52-07NA27344. The views and opinions of the author expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of the United States government or Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC. ISBN-978-1-952565-07-6 LCCN-2021901137 LLNL-BOOK-818513 TID-59693This work was performed under the auspices of the U.S. Department of Energy by Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in part under Contract W-7405-Eng-48 and in part under Contract DE-AC52-07NA27344. The views and opinions of the author expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of the United States government or Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC. ISBN-978-1-952565-07-6 LCCN-2021901137 LLNL-BOOK-818513 TID-5969

Directed Study in Support of SOJTF-A: The Future Utilization of SOF in Afghanistan

Defense Analysis PosterWhat we were asked to do: Develop a set of considerations to support future SOJTF-A planning; A narrative that explains the justice of the shared US-Afghan cause and undermines the Taliban's narrative; develop creative concepts for the future utilization of SOF in AfghanistanSpecial Operations Joint Task Force –Afghanistan (SOJTF-A

Quantitative structure–mesothelioma potency model optimization for complex mixtures of elongated particles in rat pleura: A retrospective study

<p>Cancer potencies of mineral and synthetic elongated particle mixtures, including asbestos fibers, are influenced by changes in fiber dose composition, bioavailability, and biodurability in combination with relevant cytotoxic dose-response relationships. An extensive rat intrapleural dose characterization data set with a wide variety of elongated particles physicochemical properties facilitated statistical analyses of pleural mesothelioma response data combined from several studies for evaluation of alternative dose-response models. Utilizing logistic regression of individual elongated particle dimensional variations within each test sample, four major findings emerged: (1) Mild acid leaching provides superior prediction of tumor incidence compared to samples that were not leached; (2) sum of the elongated particle surface areas from mildly acid-leached samples provides the optimum holistic dose-response model; (3) progressive removal of dose associated with very short and/or thin elongated particles significantly degrades the resultant particle count and surface area dose-based predictive model fits; and (4) alternative biologically plausible model adjustments provide evidence for reduced potency of elongated particles with aspect ratios less than 8 and lengths greater than 80 µm. Regardless of these adjustments, the optimum predictive models strongly incorporate potency attributable to abundant short elongated particles in proportion to their surface area. Transmission electron microscopy analyses of low-temperature-ashed pleural membrane and lung tissues 5.5 mo post intrapleural exposures do not support hypotheses that short elongated particles that reach the pleural space are rapidly eliminated. Low-aspect-ratio elongated particles were still abundant in pleural membrane tissues but may have reduced potencies due to aggregation tendencies and therefore lower potential for intracellular presence.</p

Framing the Post-2020 Afghan Environment: Thoughts and Recommendations

This research aims to augment the reader’s strategic appreciation for the post-2020 environment in Afghanistan. As such, the authors consider this a “thought piece” versus a policy prescriptive decision briefing or white paper. The near-term goal is to inform the NATO Special Operations Component Command – Afghanistan/Special Operations Joint Task Force – Afghanistan (NSOCC-A/SOJTF-A) Commander and his staff on crucial variables that may prove consequential in the forthcoming development of a campaign design for the future utilization of Special Operations Forces (SOF) in Afghanistan, while also providing a collection of ‘creative options’ that could be injected into future SOF campaign plans in order to influence the aforementioned variables. For this analysis, the authors consciously present a holistic look at Afghanistan, accounting for variables and circumstances beyond SOJTF-A’s authorities or sphere of influence. The expanded scope was purposefully chosen to present a comprehensive understanding of the environment in which SOJTF-A leadership employs the SOF enterprise.Commander, NSOCC-A/SOJTF-ACommander, NSOCC-A/SOJTF-