DEFENSE

Systems Digest

15 FEBRUARY 2022

DSIAC collects and publishes articles related to our technical focus areas on the web to share with the DoD community.

FEATURED ARTICLE

Simplified Human/Machine Interfaces Top List of Critical DoD Technologies

A modern-day cell phone packs quite a wallop when it comes to computing technology and capability. But most cell phones barely come with a “quick start guide,” let alone an instruction manual that spells out how to use all the features. Cell phone companies have mastered the interface between humans and technology, making their use…

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Notable Technical Inquiry

Combustion Efficiency Data for Liquid-Fueled Ramjets

The Defense Systems Information Analysis Center (DSIAC) was asked how combustion efficiency can be estimated for a liquid-fueled ramjet flying in the Mach 2-3 range with a given combustor length or bulk flow residence time.  In particular, DSIAC was asked for some sort of data or an empirical/analytical model that has been validated with data, rather than non-computational fluid dynamics solutions, that can be used…

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FEATURED WEBINAR

graphic of computer hacker in dark hoodie with laptop next to a battleship

Volume 8 Number 2

The DSIAC Journal is a publication of the Defense Systems Information Analysis Center (DSIAC). DSIAC is a DoD Information Analysis Center (IAC) sponsored by the Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) with policy oversight provided by the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense (OUSD) for Research and Engineering (R&E). DSIAC is operated by the SURVICE…

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Designing Primary Structures With Fiber-Reinforced PEEK Thermoplastic Composite

Introduction Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) is a semicrystalline thermoplastic that was invented in November 1978 and brought to market in 1981 by Imperial Chemical Industries, which later became Victrex. As developed, this material possessed a maximum 48% degree of crystallinity. The composite material was introduced a year later as APC-1 with a 52% fiber volume, and it…

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graphic of the Earth, and a telescope aimed at a satellite in space

Uncertainty Quantification to Detect Resident Space Object Anomalies

Summary Anomaly detection, whereby signals are scanned for behavior changes, is a common problem in many applications. As data streams grow in complexity and volume, automated methods for anomaly detection, especially those based on machine learning (ML), are increasingly attractive. However, many real-world defense applications like space domain awareness (SDA) are challenging environments for these…

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graphic of computer hacker in dark hoodie with laptop next to a battleship

Detecting and Defending Against Malicious Attacks to Ship Sensors

Summary This article describes research to detect phenomena that may degrade or disrupt the performance of an otherwise fully functional sensor. Also examined are methods to potentially mitigate the effects of sensor degradation and develop effective countermeasures that enable naval vessels and unmanned vehicles to continue their missions with degraded capabilities. An emphasis is placed…

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A Bioinspired System to Autonomously Detect Tiny, Fast-Moving Objects in Infrared Imagery

Summary Autonomously detecting tiny, fast-moving objects emitting thermal radiation in the infrared is a challenging technical problem. In addition to being fast, these targets are often dim, small, and in the presence of clutter and occlusions. Conventional detection approaches require large size, weight, and power (SWaP) systems which may introduce substantial latencies. As such, the…

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graphic of the Earth from space

Emerging Risks in Space From China and Russia

Summary Emerging technologies include not only novel technical inventions but also repurposing existing technologies into new tactics, techniques, and procedures. In recent years, Russia and China have upended the way the space domain has operated for decades. For example, China has repurposed the Cold War-era concept of a “fractional orbital bombardment system” to deploy a…

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Who are the key stakeholders and impact players for attrition-tolerant unmanned aircraft systems in government, industry, and academia?

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Are there any active Defense Department or Service component programs recycling carbon fiber waste?

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What is the role of cutinases or esterase activity on the biodegradation of man-made structures?

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What information is available on government- and commercial-off-the-shelf, low-cost, tactical drone systems that can be deployed for counter-unmanned aerial vehicle operations?

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Aircraft Survivability Symposium

The Aircraft Survivability Symposium is a SECRET//NOFORN event, and all attendees must submit and keep a completed DD Form 3150 on their person at all times to attend. The presenters will discuss survivability technologies, survivability…

Special Air Warfare Symposium

Hosted by the Global Special Operations Forces (SOF) Foundation, the 2022 Special Air Warfare Symposium will be held in Fort Walton Beach, Florida, the home of Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC). Though much of…

Automated ISR and Battle Management

DSI’s 10th Annual Automated Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) and Battle Management Summit will provide the DoD, military services, intelligence community, industry, and academia the opportunity to discuss ways to modernize ISR systems for the…

2022 Tactical Wheeled Conference

This conference is focused on the tactical wheeled vehicle industry and its support to the U.S. Department of Defense and our nation’s Warfighters. The information and dialogue presented at this conference will discuss the design,…

AFA Warfare Symposium

Attended by DoD officers, enlisted members, civilians, and veterans, this warfighting symposium will focus on the critical concerns and challenges of joint warfare in every corner of the globe. Drawing speakers from combatant commands, as…

Voice From the Community

ST Portrait
Michael J. Patterson

Chairman/Founder Desert Works Propulsion, LLC

Mr. Patterson has 40 years’ experience in spacecraft electric propulsion (EP), including 37 years with NASA Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, OH, where he served as Senior Technologist for In-Space Propulsion until retirement in December 2021. During his NASA tenure, he worked to transition EP technologies to commercial and National Security Space missions. In 2022, he founded Desert Works Propulsion LLC to accelerate fielding of high-performance EP in support of U.S. commercial and military missions, providing consulting, design, and manufacturing.

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