The US war in Afghanistan has lasted more than a decade. The war has cost American taxpayer hundreds of billions of dollars. When the US army invaded Afghanistan in 2001, nobody foresaw that the war would last as long as it has. Failure of the US army to achieve its objective is due to a combination of wrong strategic approach and underestimating the insurgents. In military warfare, the military may use attrition or maneuver minded strategy to subdue the enemy. In attrition strategy, the military usually attempts to subdue the enemy by wearing down the enemy through a continuous attack on the enemy’s personnel and resources. Attrition leads to a contracted war, which leads to huge losses of lives and property. This is because the military makes use of its sheer numbers to win the war. In the maneuver-minded strategy, the military attempts to subdue the enemy by incapacitating their decision-making and movement. Maneuver minded strategy requires the military to make use of its intelligence and military capabilities (Luttwak, 2001).
In the Afghan war, the US army initially used the maneuver-minded strategy. The military strived to incapacitate the decision-making skills of the Taliban and Al-Qaeda by bombing their command and control centers, logistical bases, and assets. Attack of the command and control centers of the Taliban and Al-Qaeda made the leadership of the terrorist group retreat to the Tora Bora Mountains near the border with Pakistan. The military pursued the terrorist group into the mountains and bombed the mountains for days. This strategy would have resulted in the death of the leadership of the terrorist group (Keravuori, 2011). This would have incapacitated their decision-making abilities leading to their defeat and capture.
Effective application of the maneuver-minded strategy requires the military to have a clear understanding of the inner workings of the enemy. This necessitates the military to make use of intelligence (Luttwak, 2001). The American Army used information from its intelligence network to attack key centers of the Taliban using speed, flexibility, and surprise in order to bring an end to end the war with minimal casualties. However, use of this strategy did not bring the desired results. However, this strategy did not bring the expected results. The insurgents dispersed into remote areas and operated in small groups. The insurgents carried out attacks on the military and returned to the remote areas.
The ability of the insurgents to redeploy quickly and discretely was one of the major factors that limited the success of the US military in using the maneuver-minded strategy to subdue the enemy. Military intelligence was unable to determine correctly the activities of the insurgents. In addition, dispersion of the military in the remote location made it difficult for the military to pursue the insurgents (Keravuori, 2011). This is because the insurgents had better knowledge of the terrain and could blend in with civilians.
The above problems limited the efficiency of the strategy of the US Army in decimating the Taliban. The military thought they would take very little time to decimate the Taliban and start the process of peace building. However, failure to decimate the Taliban led to a protracted war that resulted in huge losses in lives on both sides (Keravuori, 2011). The Afghan war highlights the importance of using the right strategy in decimating the enemy. Using the right strategy would have led to a swift defeat of the enemy and saved hundreds of billions of dollars that the American taxpayer has lost due to the war.
The Battle of Sadr City, Iraq (March – May 2008) was a successful military operation conducted by the U.S. military troops together with the Iraqi government forces against Jaish al-Mahdi terrorists who had a firm grip on the territory. Due to a number of important events and decisions which occurred / were made during the armed conflict, it was possible for the allies to defeat the enemy. The operation on the whole was able to lead to the desired political outcomes, for the terrorists were driven out from the territory, and the Iraqi government managed to establish control of the city. It is important that the victory of the allies occurred in spite of the numerical superiority of the foes and the difficult terrain of the urban territory; the U.S. Army suffered only relatively small losses.
Analytical Framework
In this paper, the data gathered from literature related to the 2008 battles in Sadr City will be used in order to understand the events that took place there and to analyze the outcomes of the mission as a whole. The literature used will include books and reports about the events, as well as other scholarly and online sources. The main plans and actions that the American Army implemented will be described, and the ways in which they helped the troops to win against the enemy or made them lose their positions will be exposed. Our analysis of the events and our conclusions will be based on the criterium of effectiveness of the military actions, which includes the ability to defeat the enemy and to suffer the minimal losses of troops while taking part in the hostilities.
Analysis of the Operation
The battles in Sadr City took place in March – May 2008. According to George Bush, the President of the U.S. of that time, the general aim of the whole mission of the American troops was “to help Iraqis clear and secure neighborhoods, to help them protect the local population, and to help ensure that the Iraqi forces are capable of providing the security that Baghdad needs”; the Baghdad Security Plan is reported to have been the main component of the surge1. It is stated that, according to this plan, the military operation had three main objectives: clear the territory of the extremist elements that might cause trouble for the local dwellers, capture the control over it by providing a full-time presence of the American and Iraqi troops on the street, and retain this control.2
The terrorist organisation of Jaish al-Mahdi (JAM) had firm control over the Sadr City. As a result, the intelligence that the U.S. forces were able to gather about the territory was limited. On 23 March 2008, JAM launched a number of rockets at the Green Zone (or International Zone) in Baghdad, where Iraqi government offices and foreign embassies were located, and on 25 March Iraqi government checkpoints were massively attacked.34 On the whole, 86 rockets were fired at the Green Zone from 23 to 31 March.5 The U.S. forces did not plan to take part in any attacks at all before this occurred, but they were forced to retaliate.6 The enemy forces were situated along the Route Gold (see Fig. 1); the distance from it to the International Zone was just at the range for JAM rocket launchers and mortars, so for this particular military operation it was important to push the JAM forces above Route Gold in order to impair their ability to fire at the Green Zone.7 It was also needed to defeat the criminal militia forces that held Sadr City, and decrease the levels of violence coming from the gangs that invaded the place.
Figure 1. Area Map.8
However, the U.S. forces lacked troops in order to “clean” the area block by block; on the other hand, the fact that most buildings were low and level with each other allowed for effective surveillance.9
At first, the JAM attacks were intense, and on 23-25 March they actively tried to barricade streets and used improvised bombs everywhere. American and Iraqi government soldiers were also ambushed a number of times. The response of the American troops started on 25 March. Aerial forces were also employed in order to disable the enemy’s rocket launchers that hit the Green Zone as soon as possible.
As the fighting progressed, the U.S. forces decided to block new militia reinforcements from joining the battle, as well as to prevent the enemy from launching rockets at the Green Zone.10 To do that, a decision to build a 12-feet-tall concrete wall along the borders of Sadr City was made; it happened in the middle of April 2008. The wall was also meant to cut the enemy off and to create a protected zone near the southern quarter of Sadr City which would then be secured by the joined efforts of American and Iraqi government troops so that the Iraqi government could begin rebuilding the place.11
It is not known where the idea originally came from, but it attracted massive and desperate attacks of the enemy. Having learned that the wall started being constructed, the enemy launched dozens of attacks a day on the forces engaged in building. The foe was absolutely determined to prevent the wall’s construction. Their forces were constantly gaining reinforcements: it is claimed that a number of new people who supported the terrorists joined the fight every day.12 Even snipers were employed in order to attempt to destroy the cranes that were necessary for the building process. The American forces utilized a vast amount of military technology, including heavily armoured tanks, to counter these attacks; in particular, the thanks destroyed some buildings from which the enemy snipers were operating.13 Still, it is claimed that the main advantage of the US forces came from UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles), which had advanced sensors and were able to spot the enemy even at night or through clouds of smoke;14 as it was mentioned, the terrain and the cityscape were favourable for intelligence efforts.
These systems allowed for the so-called “persistent surveillance”, providing the American troops with detailed information and allowing for precise planning of attacks and counterattacks. It is stated that, as a result of the battles, approximately 700 militia warriors were killed, whereas the U.S. forces only lost six soldiers during the time when the wall was being constructed.15 (On the other hand, it should be noted that the total losses of the operation were about 1000 killed and 2600 wounded civilians and soldiers from both sides; however, the U.S. Army’s losses were relatively insignificant.)16 Later, on 6 May, when the wall was almost ready, the American and Iraqi government forces struck at the enemy’s leadership; many leaders either were defeated or fled. The enemy forces were gradually worn out in the battles, as well as in other clashes, and eventually asked for a ceasefire. The truce offered on 12 May did not finish the operation, however; the reconstruction efforts were still carried out with the security provided by the American forces for some time. However, the Iraqi government gained control of Sadr City as a result of the operation, which allowed for the stabilisation of the economic and political situation in the area.17
There are a number of interpretations of the Sadr City operation. Some authors claim that the successful outcome (gained control of the area, relatively small losses of troops) of the whole mission was a result of five factors: the U.S. Army’s capacity to gather intelligence and use it; the construction of the wall, which drew the attention of the enemy and forced them to attack the U.S. troops recklessly; the U.S. reconstruction effort, which helped to restore the economic situation in the city and fill in the political vacuum which appeared after JAM’s defeat; the progress of the Iraqi Army during the battles; and the miscalculation of the JAM: the organization seems to have counted on the 23-25 March intense attack and failed to prepare any other plans in advance.18
It has also been theorized that the fact that the operation was a “wide-area security mission” instead of a “take and clear” operation was crucial in ensuring the success of the battles. Non-centralised decision making was important to resist the fleeting enemy, and the use of heavy units such as tanks helped avoid significant infantry losses.19
Claims and Arguments
Having summed up the mentioned above, we have come to the opinion that the success of the tactics that the American forces employed resulted from a number of reasons. First, the use of modern technology, especially air forces and flying surveillance devices, in the given setting permitted to gather much information about the enemy’s activity and successfully use it in the Army’s operations. The use of air forces that were not easy to detect or counter also allowed to avoid numerous dangerous situations that the soldiers would face if they were forced to gather intelligence while being on the ground.
Second, it was already mentioned that the decentralised decision making also proved useful, for the local commanders could make the decision fast and quickly respond to the new surveillance data, instead of waiting for the decision of the centre, which would probably take much more time and eliminate the element of surprise; at the same time, the exact position of the enemy units would often have changed before the response of the centre would have been received.
Third, the utilization of heavy armoured units such as tanks and other military vehicles to counter the forces of the enemy proved extremely useful, as the enemies were not able to dispatch them easily, while the infantry could easily have been ambushed or trapped in various dangerous places.
And, finally, the decision to build the wall provided the troops with a serious advantage, for the enemy started attacking the builders recklessly and in large numbers, and the U.S. and Iraqi government forces had the chance to deal with them in a place that was well-guarded, instead of falling victims to the unexpected ambushes in the city’s perilous slums.
There also exists an opinion that the success of the whole operation (including the future political outcomes) was the result of the very fact that the troops engaged in fighting at all (and were able to defeat the foe), instead of simply trying to promote development of the area. It is pointed out that at first the American operations in Iraq were mostly nonlethal, aimed at protecting the local population and supplying funds for various projects in order to stimulate development and enable the provision of essential services. However, it is also claimed that such projects very often failed, and were even more dangerous for American troops than lethal operations. Therefore, it is argued that the battles that took place in Sadr City were more effective than the preceding non-lethal operations and eventually allowed to restore peace in the area to a certain extent.20
Conclusion
As it can be seen, the military operation conducted by the U.S. military forces together with Iraqi government troops can be called successful because it resulted in the enemies being driven out of the city or eliminated, while the allies’ armies only suffered relatively light losses. The use of constant surveillance and decentralised decision making allowed the militaries to successfully gather intelligence data and quickly use it in order to gain victories over the foe. Heavy armoured vehicles permitted to avoid the loss of troops and protected the forces from the hazards coming from the peculiarities of the local urban setting. The decision to build the wall, even if it was contingent, proved successful, for it caused the enemy to recklessly attack the forces mainly in the known locations instead of ambushes. And, finally, the whole decision to carry out the military operation successfully cleared the city of the terrorist gangs and allowed for establishing control over the territory, and further economic and political restoration of the area.
Bibliography
Collier, Craig A. “Now That We’re Leaving Iraq, What Did We Learn?” Military Review 90, no. 5 (2010): 88-93.
Ensby, Geoffrey. “The Final Fight: The 2008 Battle of Sadr City.” DigitalCommons@Bryant University. Web.
Fussman, Doreen, and Tom Sills. “‘One T-Wall at a Time’: Battle of Phase Line Gold, Sadr City, Iraq, March – May 2008.” Joint Center for Operational Analysis Journal XI, no. 2 (2009): 25-47. Web.
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A wireless sensor network can be characterized as a self-designed framework of remote systems to screen physical or ecological conditions such as temperature, sound, vibration, weight, movement, or contaminations and to pass information through the system to a primary area where the information can be watched and analyzed. The sink or base station acts as an interface between clients and the system. Thus, the paper analyzes the capabilities and challenges of wireless sensor networks.
The Capabilities That Make Wireless Sensor Network Useful
Based on their capabilities, wireless sensor systems could be deployed in harsh locations where accessibility is difficult (Franceschetti et al. 1010). Wireless sensor systems have increased prominence because of its adaptability in various applications (Jiang et al. 940). Wireless sensor systems enable analysts to gather exhaustive information in extreme conditions. An extensive database of various surges of information is a resource for scientists.
Another favorable position is that remote sensor systems are adaptable. Thus, wireless sensors are utilized in many applications, for example, structural health monitoring where there is a need for effective communication. Wireless sensor networks design can be installed without difficulties (Grossglauser and Tse 480).
Military Applications. A wireless sensor system is a basic piece of military armor, control, interchanges, monitoring, front line reconnaissance, surveillance, and focusing on frameworks.
Range Monitoring. In territory checking, the sensor hubs are conveyed over a location where events are monitored. When sensors recognize the event (warm, weight), signals are transmitted to the base stations.
The capabilities of a wireless sensor network can be summarized below.
a. Network setups are possible without a dynamic framework.
b. Wireless sensor network is convenient in rough locations, for example, ocean, mountains, and rustic regions.
c. Flexible in situations were an extra workstation is required.
d. Design and deployment are cost-effective.
The Limitations of Wireless Sensor Network Solutions
Power Consumption. As observed, the difficulties of wireless sensor systems center on the constrained power assets. The equipment configuration should consider the issues of effective power use. For example, information pressure may lessen the quantity of energy consumption for radio transmission; however, they utilize extra energy for data transfer. The consumption strategy relies on the application in transmission. In some applications, it may be worthy to turn off some hubs to monitor energy consumption while others require all hubs working simultaneously. Thus, power consumption is a major challenge of wireless sensor networks (Grossglauser and Tse 480).
The remote sensor is untrustworthy in nature. Disruptions can impede transmitted data from reaching its destination. Wireless sensor interference is a challenge in deployment. If two sensors transmit on the same channel, overlapping will occur. As a result, the hub may degenerate each other’s flag and affect transmission. Thus, the transmitter is powered to retransmit at extra cost, time, and energy. Impedance can originate from a similar system if the design does not plan free interchanges. Therefore, impedance and interference are the challenges of wireless sensor networks.
Adaptation to Non-Critical Failure. Sensor hubs are defenseless in risky conditions. Hubs can fail because of equipment issues, physical harm, and energy supply. The resolutions conveyed in a wireless sensory system should have the capacity to recognize these disappointments as time permits and be sufficiently powerful to deal with failures while maintaining the usefulness of the system (Grossglauser and Tse 480).
Versatility. Scalability is a challenge for wireless sensor networks. The challenge of gathering high-resolution information affects transmission and hub efficiency. The hub density may achieve the level where a node has many hubs in its transmission range (Li et al. 1377). Wireless sensor systems should be versatile and have the capacity to keep sufficient execution.
Generation Costs. Because numerous organizational models view the sensor hubs as expendable gadgets, wireless systems can contend with conventional data gathering approaches if the individual sensor nodes can be delivered at a lower cost.
Equipment Constraints. Every sensor hub needs a detecting unit, a preparing unit, a transmission unit, and a power supply. Alternatively, hubs may have a few inherent sensors or extra gadgets, for example, a limitation framework to empower area mindful steering. Along these lines, node functionality should be adjusted against cost and low-control necessities (Lin 1458).
Sensor Network Topology. Although wireless sensor network has advanced in numerous perspectives, the hubs are constrained in vitality, memory, transmission, and correspondence capacities. Energy utilization is of principal significance, which is exhibited by different processes, strategies, and conventions to minimize energy consumption. Thus, topology maintenance is a standout among the most imperative issues explored to diminish energy utilization in remote sensor systems (Kraus and Marhefka 65).
Conclusion
Wireless sensor network capabilities enhance information transfer in dense regions. It provides effective utilization of powerful applications in various institutions. Based on their capabilities, wireless sensor systems could be deployed in harsh locations where accessibility is difficult. Wireless sensor systems have increased prominence because of its adaptability in various applications. However, wireless engineers should manage the challenges to improve data communication and transfer. Sensor nodes and hubs should be redesigned to reduce energy consumption and maintain strong connectivity against interference.
Works Cited
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Grossglauser, Matthais, and David Tse. “Mobility Increases the Capacity of Ad Hoc Wireless Networks.” IEEE/ACM Transactions on Networking, vol. 10, no. 4, 2002, pp. 477–486.
Jiang, Chunxiao, et al. “Maximizing Network Capacity with Optimal Source Selection: A Network Science Perspective.” IEEE Signal Processing Letters, vol. 22, no. 7, 2015, pp. 938–942.
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Three product ranges for WAN acceleration are compared: WAAS WAN by Cisco, SteelHead by Riverbed, and WAN optimization solutions by Silver Peak. The products are evaluated with the purpose of integrating them into the military field of logistics. The evaluation is based on five criteria – the range of available products, security concerns, specifications and compatibility, general requirements for installation, and pricing options and offers. After assessing all aspects of the companies’ products, it is established that Cisco has the most suitable solutions because it values data security and offers a transparent description of its vast variety of products.
Introduction
The following paper will assess three products for WAN (Wide Area Network) acceleration that can be used in a military field. The goal of WAN acceleration products is to improve the performance of data transfer in the networks through a variety of operations such as compression, file deduplication, and others (Soewito, Andy, Gunawan, & Mansuan, 2017). The described products include Wide Area Application Services (WAAS) by Cisco, SteelHead WAN optimization products by Riverbed, and the NX and VX series of WAN optimization hardware and software solutions by Silver Peak. These services will be assessed according to five criteria, including their range of available products, level of security, specifications, general requirements for installation and management, and pricing options. A recommendation will be provided on the basis of the evaluation that will examine all benefits and drawbacks of all introduced systems.
Comparison
Range of Products
First of all, it is necessary to examine how many products and services can be acquired from one company to achieve the best results for WAN optimization. According to Cisco (2018), Cisco WAAS is the most “scalable, highest-performance WAN optimization solution” (para. 1). The company has a wide range of solutions for different types of enterprises, including the Wide Area Application Virtualization Engine (WAVE) series that are established as cost-effective and suitable for cloud computing and video services (Cisco, 2018). Other products such as Virtual WAAS (vWAAS) are fully optimized to work in a cloud infrastructure.
The SteelHead product range also features different solutions, appliances, and software. For example, SteelHead CX for Virtual is a virtual product that is focused on both on-premises and cloud services of an organization, while other models such as SteelHead CX and GX are physical appliances that also have similar purposes (Riverbed, 2018). Notable, Riverbed has a mobile solution called SteelHead Mobile, which is fully incorporated into the main infrastructure and does not require a separate data center peer. Finally, Silver Peak also offers many products that can satisfy the needs of customers with different requirements. Their VX virtual WAN optimization software is one of the leading products in the line, allowing organizations to deploy it both as hardware appliances and as a virtual machine (Silver Peak, n.d.).
Level of Security
The issue of information safety in installing WAN acceleration services should not be overlooked. Furthermore, the area of implementation, namely the Army units and the Logistics Department, has data the protection of which is vital to the organization. The first company, Cisco (2018), offers products with an Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) encryption for the data-at-rest period. Goods are also equipped with firewalls, authentication, authorization, and accounting (AAA) integration of partnering companies’ services such as Microsoft. Cisco IOS Intrusion Prevention System has the purpose of securing accelerated traffic – a unique feature among other industries ‘ products (Cisco, 2018).
Riverbed’s products do not feature a description of specific security functionality or any mention of encryption, firewalls, or partner companies. Thus, it is difficult to assess the level of security that the firm can guarantee for the client. As data security is vital for the military field, this lack of description and specification is unsatisfactory (“G-4 (Logistics),” 2018). Lastly, Silver Peak (n.d.) mentions that all products in the range utilize AES encryption for locally stored data and IPSec encryption for data in the process of transferring. Other solutions are not specified, including firewall integration. However, the firm works with other providers of software and hardware and partners with Microsoft among other major companies. Thus, its concern for security may be established as one of the most critical products’ features.
Specifications
To choose the best provider of goods, one should assess the compatibility of future products with the available equipment, and their ability to be used with other solutions. Firths of all, Cisco (2018) can be integrated with Microsoft products as it is a certified client with interoperability options. Other services such as VPN (a virtual private network) and wireless and cellular access are available as well (Cisco, 2018). WAAS products support a variety of optimization approaches, including such techniques as section-based persistent Lempel-Ziv compression, TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) optimization, adaptive buffering, connection re-use, data deduplication, caching, and others (Cisco, 2018). Furthermore, some acceleration for specific applications is also included in Cisco’s products. For instance, it can focus on Microsoft Exchange, Web services, streaming video, or encrypted traffic. Finally, Cisco offers a vast range of compatible products, including security, network speed, hardware, video conferencing, and others.
Riverbed’s (2018) solutions also have a variety of products that are interoperable with Microsoft, HP, IBM, and other companies’ products. They are certified as well. They offer products that can be suitable for both the mid-size and large offices and data centers, based on their specifications. Thus, the interoperability of SteelHead products is high as well. SteelHead Mobile offers compatibility with different services, including VPN from Cisco, OpenVPN, Citrix, and other versions (Riverbed, 2018). Notably, the company uses a universal data store and not a peer-peer datastore, common among competitors. It allows storing more data and performing more efficiently. Silver Peak incorporates disk-based compression based on Lempel-Ziv algorithms for all hardware. Deduplication is also disk-based, and it uses Network Memory, adding a practical feature for locating accurate stored data. TCP and non-TCP acceleration and protocol optimization use a wide range of techniques similar to Cisco. Moreover, the company also features application-specific solutions.
General Requirements for Installation and Management
Cisco (2018) points out that its products are simple to install and use, and that all operations are also simplified to increase transparency for workers. It also highlights the high level of compatibility with other products which makes the processes of installation and management less challenging. However, the initial requirements for the appliances are not as direct as they could have been and it is unclear which products are the best for this particular situation. However, Cisco has a transparent and robust support network for its customers that can reduce the lack of information.
Riverbed, on the other hand, provides its customers with all requirements, directly stating what operations systems, CPU, memory capacity, and other aspects are needed to incorporate SteelHead products in an organization successfully. The company supports both Windows and MacOS latest versions and a variety of older versions as well. Moreover, it is stated how many appliances from the company are needed on Server Side to support the operations. Such transparency eliminates possible misunderstandings.
Finally, Silver Peak also lists the requirements along with specifications for each product in the range, making it easy to look over the available solutions and limit the search before interacting with the company. Such aspects as CPU, disk capacity, memory, and hypervisors are described for all software solutions. Furthermore, the requirements are specific for each model and are divided into groups for small and large locations, helping customers to understand the scope of their operations.
Pricing Options
While the transparency of pricing options may be less expected from companies with a large number of clients, some basic information can be gathered from the firms’ websites. Moreover, some additional offers may be reviewed as well. Cisco (2018) asks to contact local representatives for pricing options for all solutions. It can be explained by the place that the corporation has on the market for technology solutions. Notable, Riverbed (2018) offers its clients a 90-day evaluation trial for its software products such as SteelHead CX Virtual. This proposal to try the latest product versions may be enticing for clients who are unsure of making purchases without preliminary assessments. Finally, Silver Peak does not have any transparent offers and trial periods. However, it states that virtual appliances are purchased as a subscription service with the possibility to upgrade licenses for capacity enhancement (Silver Peak, n.d.).
Conclusion
After comparing three product ranges from Cisco, Riverbed, and Silver Peak, it is possible to conclude that Cisco’s solutions may be the most suitable for a military network. The company is very transparent in describing its specifications, has a wide variety of products both physical and virtual. Moreover, Cisco values security and offers an extensive description of all services that are incorporated into the products to ensure that data stays safe during storage and transfer. While the other companies also mentioned security, they failed to include any information about the possibility of breaches. All in all, Cisco is a reliable partner that offers products highly compatible with other services.
The design and management of complex engineering projects requires a combination of different disciplines to facilitate their implementation. System engineering is a very fundamental branch of engineering that is essential in project management.
It is not an easy thing to coordinate teams and logistics in complex projects without adopting system engineering concepts. The work processes in a particular project are normally carried out using system engineering concepts.
System engineering is very useful in risk management and project optimization (Blanchard, 2011). System integration is among the most notable aspects of system engineering.
This essay will discuss the different aspects of system engineering and the positive role it has in the military. The success of many military projects and systems depends on the adoption of system engineering concepts.
It is important to first of all understand the meaning of system engineering as an engineering discipline before highlighting the positive role it plays in the military. It is sometimes difficult to tell whether system engineering is a discipline or an approach (Blanchard, 2011).
Recent opinions suggest that system engineering is a combination of a discipline and an approach. The system engineering approach is normally made formal through education, but the discipline keeps on changing through the discovery of new methods.
Engineering fields are associated with research and identification of new opportunities which is also part of system engineering (Sage, 2011). The interdisciplinary nature of system engineering is what makes many people to have problems in understanding the discipline.
System engineering is very holistic in the sense that it covers many aspects of project and system management. Engineering systems and projects and are in most cases very complex and therefore system engineers come up with new models and methods to address the complexities in engineering systems and projects (Sage, 2011).
System engineering deals with various aspects of the traditional engineering scope which include the development of new physical systems through design and production (Sage, 2011).
Functional physical systems in engineering are very complex and therefore system engineering comes up with new concepts and methodologies that are very vital when it comes to understanding complex systems.
System engineering comes up with the necessary organizational structures that are used in the design and execution of engineering projects and systems (Sage, 2011).
The system engineering discipline has been evolving with time and this is the reason why it has a broader scope when it comes to its application in solving engineering problems.
System engineering deals with the design and validation of processes and systems (Sage, 2011). It is important to note that system engineering deals with both technical and management processes in an engineering project or system. System engineering concepts and models are very useful in all project stages.
The life cycle of a project has got different stages that require constant evaluation and analysis. System engineering borrows a lot of ideas from other engineering disciplines and this is the reason for its interdisciplinary nature (Stevens, 1998).
The holistic nature of system engineering is normally reflected in its educational curriculum. Engineering projects and systems involve many technical contributors that are normally unified by system engineering.
The process of developing systems can only take place in a structured manner if system engineering concepts are used. The complexities in engineering systems and projects can only be understood and managed using system engineering tools and concepts (Stevens, 1998).
Systems reliability is one of the major priorities in engineering. The most important system engineering tools include system models, system architecture, optimization tools and decision making tools (Stevens, 1998).
System engineering facilitates the interaction of different engineering disciplines to come up with reliable physical systems. Every system is normally guided by common rules that are improved by system engineering.
System engineering plays a very positive role in the military because it has several applications in military communication and defense systems. System engineering was very instrumental in the design and development of the Defense Satellite Communications System (Jamshidi, 2010).
Defense information systems are created using system engineering concepts and tools. Communication systems are supposed to guarantee information privacy and system engineering has been instrumental in achieving this objective.
Modern military communication is very complex in the sense that the computing and telecommunication tools used are sophisticated (Jamshidi, 2010). This complexity is normally addressed by appropriate system engineering tools and models.
High-tech systems in military communication can only be understood using various models and concepts designed by system engineers. Military communication systems can be improved using system engineering concepts for them to operate in hostile climates.
It is important to note that some of the communication systems in the military are not related to combat actions (Sage, 2011). The functionality of military communication equipment is normally facilitated by the interdisciplinary nature of system engineering.
Radio technology and wireless communications are among the different forms of signaling that are designed and facilitated by system engineering (Sage, 2011).
The technical components of a military system are designed and maintained by system engineers (Blanchard, 2011). Modern military systems are very sophisticated and complex which makes it necessary to look for the services of system engineers in dealing with logistical and operational challenges.
Military defense programs and information technology systems are some of the aspects of a military system that can not operate effectively without the adoption of system engineering concepts.
System engineering plays a critical in integrating all the information technology systems to enhance coordination and effective communication among military officers. System engineers ensure that the IT infrastructure works according to plan (Blanchard, 2011).
System engineers upgrade and maintain new technologies within the military system. System engineers use their management skills to make critical technological decisions that fall within their scope.
Military projects are supposed to be carried out by individuals with some experience in system analysis and only system engineers have the ability to offer that (Sage, 2011).
The need to integrate defense systems has made it necessary for the military to enlist the services of system engineers (Jamshidi, 2010). System engineering is a discipline that encourages research on various ways of integrating systems.
System integration is the most important aspect of military systems that is normally facilitated by system engineering models. System engineering can facilitate present and future integration of military systems.
The military intelligence system is supposed to harness information from information generators and this can only become possible through system engineering (Jamshidi, 2010). Military intelligence systems receive information from sensors that operate with the help system engineering concepts.
System engineering ensures connectivity of different information systems. System engineers play a critical role in the design and development of information and communication interfaces (Sage, 2011).
The radar systems used in the military are controlled and maintained by system engineers (Stevens, 1998). System engineers are supposed to identify all the problems in a military system and come up with solutions.
The functions of a military system are controlled by system engineers who ensure that all the necessary changes are implemented in time. Military systems are supposed to be well secured and therefore system engineering plays a very critical role in minimizing potential risks by enhancing system reliability.
System engineering prevents duplication of effort and in the process reducing the cost of running a system (Stevens, 1998). The efficiency and reliability of military systems are very important in ensuring that a country is well secured.
The sensitivity of defense matters calls for maximum utilization of system engineering concepts and models. Extensive communication and coordination can only happen if system engineers design integrated interfaces.
Modern military weapons are automated which means that system engineers are supposed to ensure that the weapons are launched without any problems (Stevens, 1998). System engineers put control measures in place to ensure that all automated systems work according to plan.
System engineers run all military systems and ensure that they function according their design (Sage, 2011). Military systems are supposed to produce the desired output and therefore system engineers use optimization methods to ensure that the systems work according to plan.
The technical performance of a military system is assessed and evaluated by system engineers. System evaluation facilitates the control and improvement of military. Military systems are normally evaluated on a regular basis to ensure that all the problems within the system are solved in time (Sage, 2011).
It is difficult to control a system if you can not measure it. The disposal and replacement of all military systems is done by system engineers to avoid mistakes. System engineers come up with alternative system designs to ensure that all the military activities continue without any interruptions.
System engineers conduct a functional analysis of new military systems to ensure that the systems operate at an optimum level. Projects and systems can only go through an entire life cycle under the guidance of a system engineer (Jamshidi, 2010).
System engineers play a critical role in the management of military logistics. The interdisciplinary nature of system engineering makes system engineers to be very useful in the battlefield. System engineers can help in the coordination of combat activities.
In conclusion, it is evident from this discussion that system engineering plays a very important role in the military. System engineering is very useful in risk management and project optimization (Sage, 2011).
High-tech systems in military communication can only be understood using various models and concepts designed by system engineers.
The military defense programs and information technology systems are some of the aspects of the entire military system that can not operate effectively without the adoption of system engineering concepts. The efficiency and reliability of military systems are very important in ensuring that a country is well secured.
System integration is the most important aspect of military systems that is normally facilitated by system engineering models (Blanchard, 2011). System engineers play a very positive role in the coordination of military systems and combat activities.
References
Blanchard, B. (2011). Systems engineering and analysis. London: Prentice Hall.
Jamshidi, M. (2010). Systems of systems engineering: Principles and applications. New York, NY: Taylor & Francis.
Sage, A. (2011). Handbook of systems engineering and management. New York, NY: John Wiley & Sons.
Stevens, R. (1998). Systems engineering: Coping with complexity. London: Pearson Higher Education.
Since Air Force planes transitioned from the simple biplanes of World War I, they have become increasingly sophisticated and cockpit instrumentation reflects this. There is a bewildering array of cockpit instruments in even the most basic propeller-driven trainer or scout aircraft in the Air Force inventory today. There are at least four classes – flight and engine instruments, navigational and communication equipment – and three others are present in all fighting aircraft: weapons stores, threat receivers, and the heads-up display (HUD).
Analogue instruments (or their electronic representation) remain the rule. This is especially true for the core set, which consists of flight instruments. Critical for night-time flying or in conditions of poor visibility, these are the dial-type altimeter (to display height above sea level), the Attitude indicator (to show both “wings level” and whether the nose is pointed above or below the horizon), the Airspeed indicator, the Magnetic compass, the Heading indicator (also known as the Horizontal Situation Indicator) to correct for true north, the turn indicator, and the vertical speed indicator (to reveal rate of climb or descent).
Amongst larger military aircraft such as transports, tankers, and fighter-bombers, two other important flight instruments include the course deviation indicator (to show how well the aircraft is holding to a preset course or one provided by radio-signalling instruments on the ground) and the combination radio magnetic indicator/automatic direction finder (ADF), both of which provide bearing to known beacons on the ground or aircraft carrier at sea. Such is the multiplicity of aircraft controls and instruments that a multi-mission aircraft like the Phantom F-4 series needed both sides of the cockpit to fit in more information displays and control instruments.
Ergonomic Needs in Modern Military Aircraft
The two principal requirements for cockpit instrumentations have been, in order, quick access in combat (more on this in the next section) and ease of transition from one aircraft class to another.
To ease transitional training, virtually all aircraft designed since the Korean War put the four most vital Blind Flying instruments in a standard “T layout”. The attitude indicator is in the centre of the top row, the Airspeed indicator is to the left, the altimeter on the right, and the gyrocompass or heading indicator in the centre of the second row completes the “T”. Given the cramped nature of most cockpit layouts, the turn and vertical speed indicators commonly fill out the second row. That other vital flight instrument, the magnetic compass, is set apart from the T layout and may usually be found on the centrepost of the windscreen.
Requirements for Multi-Mode, Touchscreen Cockpit Displays
The time has come for the completely “glass cockpit” where all displays and instrumentation are shown in integrated, multi-modal glass monitors. On the most advanced aircraft already deployed by the U.S. Air Force, the F/FA-22 Raptor, cockpit clutter has already been swept aside in favour of five principal and four minor video displays (GlobalSecurity.org, 2008). This paper proposes to go beyond that and integrate all instrumentation into just one master multi-function display panel, greatly reducing clutter and minimizing the amount of precious metal needed to shield flight avionics from the electromagnetic pulse effects of a nuclear airburst. On two-seat aircraft such as the old B-52, the more recent B-2 and F-117 stealth bombers, one would of course have two displays to accommodate pilot and co-pilot in their variable roles as navigator, aircraft commander, bombardier, and defensive weapons operator (see, e.g., Waterloo, 2008). However, the principle remains the same: providing one large video display where a touch on the appropriate icon or screen segment triggers zooming-in on contacts or switches to the subsidiary screens for flight, engine, navigational, communication weapons stores, and threat management subsystems.
Regardless of the sequence in which the screens display, it is essential that the navigation panel conform to the familiar T layout (see “Ergonomic Needs” above).
In military use, the multifunction display (MFD) is a colour cathode ray tube (CRT) display at least 6 X 6 inches in size. It is driven by a 1750 processor and vector generator that can display a variety of video formats, e.g. bright colours during night-time operations or high-contrast formats in the daytime (Weindorf, 1992). While the earlier models relied on “soft buttons” arranged along both sides of the screen, all newer models are not only touch-sensitive across all sections of the MFD but also respond to multi-touch sequences and, being able to discriminate left from right hand as it does, any unique hand-finger combination the installer wishes to programme. The technology was developed by FingerWorks earlier in the decade by two University of Delaware professors and subsequently bought out by Apple Inc. (STL Innovations (2007). Making the fullest use of the technology therefore means paying Apple Inc. a license but then, this is a small price to pay for leading edge technology and budget is not a constraint in the given case.
An obviously-related development is the sweep-to-scroll feature that Avidyne (2009) licensed and adapted to allow pilots to pan and zoom anywhere on a moving map though with panning keys. With the QuickPan™ feature, the pilot can easily switch views between the plane’s current position and a destination airport, say, or a bombing run target.
Amidst the stress and multiple distractions of aerial combat, the threat monitor system must autonomously flash a blinking icon in red regardless of what panel is on display, trigger an audio alarm to the pilot’s headset, and display the main threat panel. This should show the location, altitude and heading of air-to-air or surface-to-air missiles (SAMs). Since threats are three-dimensional in nature – SAMs pointed straight at the aircraft, Phoenix-type missiles flying on ballistic paths and heading downward at the end of their flight path, enemy aircraft firing short-range missiles from any quarter – a “Rotate View” should flash on any of the four sides, ready to be touched and rapidly shift the display to the desired perspective. Pressing the icon for the oncoming missile should enable a distance and seconds-to-impact readout tag to display right underneath. And it would be convenient if the same panel were to give access to countermeasure controls, either at the very bottom of the screen or on another one when the pilot gives the spoken command for it. In turn, the countermeasures screen should display all options already arranged in decreasing priority of effectiveness, with each already blinking green for “Armed” and a second press on the appropriate weapon symbol immediately triggering the “Launch” command. Obviously, therefore, the pilot gains access to the entire defensive suite in one master control screen: lasers to blind TV-guided missiles, lock breakers for missiles guided by radar of the hostile aircraft, a cloud of projectiles or “smart pebbles” to deal with multiple incoming missiles from the rear, flares that scatter along a horizontal dimension to decoy infrared missiles, even self-propelled decoys that shoot off on perpendicular paths while emitting an exaggerated range of radar and heat signatures to attract self-guiding missiles, etc. Turning to offensive air-to-air mode, the targeting panel should show a “God’s eye view” of the surrounding “bubble” for around a hundred and fifty miles (the effective range of long-range missiles like the Phoenix). This will show all hostiles (contacts that do not flash the required Identify-Friend-or-Foe (IFF) recognition code in red. Then, all a pilot has to do to start an attack run is press each one in the desired sequence. At once, the second panel opens up with the three principal missile options for short-, medium- and long-range missiles. The missile most suited for the enemy’s range displays in bright green and the rest are in standby gray. An inset window has simultaneously opened up with either the “shoot” light (when all proper parameters of radar lock, range and aspect requirements for the target have been met) or a directional box displaying range and bearing to target so the pilot immediately knows which way to turn (Downs, 2007).
Figure 1: The Hybrid Analogue/Digital Displays of the F-18
Bibliography
Avidyne (2009) Avidyne announces new EX600 multi-function display [Internet] Web.
Downs, E. (2007) Power of presentation: How technology tackles the fighter cockpit conundrum.
STL Innovations (2007) Muti-touch touchscreen technology behind the Apple iPhone revealed [Internet] Web.
Waterloo, M. (2009) McDonnell Aircraft F-4H-1 (F-4B, F-4N) Phantom II main pilot’s cockpit instrument panels [Internet] Web.
Weindorf, P. (1992) The C-17 multifunction display: A building block for avionic systems. Aerospace and Electronic Systems Magazine, 7 (7) pp. 32 – 39.
The exoskeleton can be used to provide additional protection to soldiers when in combat. Since the extreme is made of hard material, it acts as body armor to the soldier wearing it (Doyle 10). Military personnel can use the exoskeleton can move heavy objects on the battlefield. Through its hydraulic system, the suit enables the soldier to move heavy weights, therefore making it unnecessary to have heavy-lift machinery present for these tasks.
Advantages
The armor will protect soldiers from enemy fire, ensuring that the number of deaths and injuries suffered during military confrontations is reduced. The efficiency of the soldiers will be increased since they will be able to travel for greater distances while carrying heavy loads with little fatigue. The use of exoskeletons by the military will lead to a reduction in the need for heavy-lift machinery on the battlefield since the soldiers will be able to lift heavy objects with the help of these machines. Finally, exoskeletons will enable soldiers to single-handedly carry and operate heavy weapons that normally require two or more soldiers to handle (Donaldson 58).
Disadvantages
A major disadvantage is that exoskeletons require a constant power supply. These machines would be ineffective when the battery runs out. Another disadvantage is that if the exoskeleton is damaged during combat, the soldier will be trapped inside it, making him/her vulnerable to enemy fire (Doyle 10). In addition to this, exoskeletons would significantly increase military spending in the country. These machines are complicated robotic systems and the military would have to spend billions of dollars to equip an adequate number of soldiers with them. Finally, soldiers would need specialized training to gain the expertise needed to maintain the complex exoskeleton machine on the battlefield.
Space Industry
Use of Exoskeletons
The space industry can use exoskeletons to protect astronauts from harm when they venture into hostile environments. The exosuits can also be used to assist astronauts to walk in environments that have reduced gravitational pull. In addition to this, exoskeletons can be used for exercising purposes by astronauts who are confined in space stations for long durations. Howell explains that exoskeletons can be used to “add resistive force in microgravity environments” (par. 4).
Advantages
A major merit of exoskeletons in the space industry is that they protect astronauts who are working in high-risk environments. These suits have a hard shell that encases the body of the astronaut ensuring that he/she is safe from environmental hazards. Exoskeletons increase the efficiency of astronauts by reducing the effort required to perform tasks. Newman observes that these machines minimize energetic expenditures, therefore making it possible for astronauts to carry out energy-intensive tasks without suffering from fatigue (par. 3). Exoskeletons enable astronauts to deal with heavy weights by providing robotic power boosts. Astronauts are therefore able to carry out laborious tasks without using heavy-duty equipment.
Disadvantages
The exoskeletons used in the space industry require constant power to operate. As such, astronauts may have to be tethered to a power source since the mobile battery units are exhausted after a limited duration. Another significant disadvantage is that they limit the mobility and dexterity of astronauts (Newman 975). The astronauts using exoskeletons are not able to move are free as they would without these machines. Their range of motion is restricted making it hard for them to perform intricate procedures. Finally, the cost of developing and implementing exoskeletons is very high. The space industry has therefore had to abandon some projects aimed at creating advanced exosuits for astronauts.
Works Cited
Donaldson, Peter. “Biomechanical Developments.” Military Technology 38.12 (2014): 58-59. Web.
The military has got a variety of applications which require new technology such as simulation. The uses include training the officers, rehearsing for military operations, testing and conducting evaluations and analyzing the effectiveness of war activities. Military training can be classified into training at the units or technical training. Technical training is usually structured from the time it begins till its end while training at the unit involves practical use of the tools that the trainee will be expected to use.
There are various types of simulation used by the military in its operations and in offering training to the officers. The simulation can be subdivided into two the first sub division comprising of systems and the people. The second sub division can comprise systems and people combined together and it can also be in such a way that there is neither people nor systems or one of the two.
The first type of simulation used in the military is live simulation. This type of simulation is comprised of systems and people that are alive in a situation involving a large group of people taking part in a simulated battle. The simulated battle employs live weapons and other equipment used in war.
This type of simulation is intended at preparing the officers for war. It is a real encounter that soldiers experience without necessarily going to battle fields. Militaries of different countries establish several locations in their countries to offer this type of training (Hang, 2011).
The second application of simulation in the military is the use of virtual simulation. It is among the most widely used new technologies in the military. It is used by military personnel to offer training to soldiers and aviators to guarantee success in the battle fields. Virtual simulation is used in conjunction with tank simulators which are used in training soldiers effective use of battlefield tanks.
Virtual simulation has made it possible for soldiers and operators of the tanks to network and take part in simulated wars even when they are in different locations. The wars would otherwise have been impossible because of the costs involved in transporting the soldiers and purchasing the required equipment were they to be conducted live. The training offered through virtual simulation enables the soldiers to acquire new skills that are crucial in war by participating in the exercises (Sokolowski & Banks, 2009).
During the periods when soldiers were exposed to live exercises, many injuries and even deaths were reported in training sessions. Although the live exercises are still carried out in the military, they have been made less dangerous because soldiers first go through training through virtual simulation. Virtual simulation saves huge amounts of money that would have been used in live training and gives soldiers the required fighting skills.
The other type of simulation used in the military is constructive simulation. This type of simulation brings together weapon systems and military personnel which are simulated. It is based on computer systems where simulated fighting is employed in training military personnel who command in the fields and other military staff. The training is offered in areas such as logistics, strategic planning and making plans on other tactics used by the military personnel (Simpson & West, 2011).
Some of the reasons that justify use of simulation in the military include cutting down the costs incurred in operations, offering feedback to instructors as well as taking care of the environment. For example, the cost involved in operating simulators is relatively lower as opposed to carrying out live operations.
Simulation also guarantees safety since it is much safer to undertake some operations on the simulator while the same operations are dangerous when conducted live. The simulators are also environmentally friendly since they do not produce smoke like aircrafts.
The demand for solid, lightweight, reduced-power electronics intensified by the rising need for enhanced data output and transmission is influencing the application of optical expertise in aerospace and military operations. Optical elements and systems are progressively being examined, in addition to adoption by aerospace and military engineers, for diverse air, land, space, and sea operations. Clients are progressively requiring more optical advances in the mil-aero sector, and the concern is characteristically propelled by optics’ benefits over copper. There are numerous advantages to optical computing encompassing decreased size, power, and weight, in addition to electromagnetic interference resistance. These are some of the reasons behind fiber optics providing a safe communication system where any tapping might be discovered with the effortlessness of installation and information frequency over distance. Most of the gains from fiber optics are inter-reliant, for example, attributable to its being immune to electromagnetic interference, it is not essential to shield the cables. Petrescu (2019) has established that shielding is difficult, increases size, and generates installation and operation issues. In some airplanes, distinct provisions are necessary to ensure that shields bond to assigned grounds and for the fortification of shielding in relation to lightning. Optical fiber technologies tackle nearly all the underlying military operation problems successfully.
Optical Fiber Products
Apart from enabling enhanced computer networks and high-speed internet, fiber-optics products play a fundamental role in military engagements across the globe. The application of fiber-optics technology in military operations is set to progressively increase with continued technological advancements. The international optical fiber market is projected to reach a value of more than 10 million US dollars by 2027, which represents a compound yearly development rate of over 5% (Hecht, 2018). Moreover, military and aerospace segments have been listed among the vital market sectors of the optical fiber cable. Optical fiber technology has occurred in fast progress and may be employed in numerous practices that vary from video to broadband.
In the recent past, the application of optical fiber cable expertise in the Australian military has rapidly risen. The Australian military initially had a committed optical fiber support team and many others have kept on and will continue to come up, particularly attributable to the usage of optical fiber technology becoming more fundamental in martial operations. Governments across the globe have been incredibly supportive in the development of optical fiber technologies for military operations (Campbell, 2018). Such advancements will enable the military personnel to fight using aircraft, tanks, and ships with enhanced security and communication facilitated by the incorporation of Information Technology.
Military Applications
Since optical fiber technologies are being highly employed for practices such as internet and phone communication, the military has been employing such products in their land-based establishments. Even more considerably, there are numerous military-specific engagements for which optical fiber cables are preferably suited (Yao et al., 2018). For instance, some practices for which optical fiber products may offer unparalleled stability and safety encompass shipboard, deployable strategic, and ship to seashore communications. The enhanced rate of data transmissions enabled by optical fiber products is a fundamental aspect that leads to their application for military operations. Since every second in military engagements is crucial, all the available information is helpful.
It is essential to employ equipment that allows the fastest, consistent, and convenient degree of performance; and concerning the transmission of data, that effectiveness may only be offered by optical fiber technology. In addition, optical fiber cables have in many cases been established to be tougher than other options besides being highly resistant to the numerous hazards and traffic that are prevalent in the military space. The benefits of optical fiber technology are the reasons that made the military sector to become an early adopter, and its usage is gradually becoming fundamental even in other fields (Campbell, 2018). Some optical fiber products are particularly made for military operations.
Attributable to the numerous gains provided by optical fiber products, they have become perfect for military roles. An instance of a product that is particularly made for military operations is the MIL-PRF-28876 shipboard optical fiber connector, an invention that has become critical for Navy roles. The MIL-PRF-28876 has been commended for the provision of excellent performance devoid of ever faltering (Yao et al., 2018). The provision of accurate optical arrangements and environmental conditions that support connectivity regardless of the situation is a vital practice in the military sector (Hecht, 2018). Over and above supporting such practices, optical fiber technology offers corrosion resistance, which results in functionality becoming consistent.
The rare degree of steadiness is a vital aspect behind military sectors, both locally and internationally, adopting optical fiber technologies as crucial components. With military operations continuing to advance and evolve, their use of optical fiber cables is only probable of continued increase (Yao et al., 2018). Intensification in the optical fiber cable markets for aerospace and military engagements may be attributed to the rising commercial implementation of the technology and improvement of platforms such as satellites, space launch machines, and remote-controlled systems. The MIL-DTL-3899 has provided another valuable product that has been tailored for military tasks since it has been generated with an exceedingly broad scope of customizable alternatives. Currently, the MIL-DTL-3899 is available in numerous models with many options occurring in the form of materials (for example, aluminum alloy) and finishes (for instance, cadmium) (Yao et al., 2018). A broad range of customization alternatives has been made to make sure that optical fiber products are suitable for nearly all military roles (Campbell, 2018). Interconnected networks have an extensive role in the military and aerospace sectors. They have eased the creation of outfits for machines, ships, and equipment with optical fiber products.
Optical Fiber Technologies
Optical fiber elements and structures are remarkable for airborne operations, varying from a sensor linkage to video or flight-vital databus considering the need for the decreased size, weight, and power, easiness of connection, and electromagnetic interference immunity. In ground-anchored operations such as safe bunker-to-bunker operations, electro-optic detector mast-to-regulator station connections, or radio over fiber antennae systems, the technology has been fundamental. The benefits of optics in line with distance is usually the determining aspect, followed by safety, electromagnetic interference immunity, and decreased weight. A major factor that is evident in major aircraft is the need for decreased weight. Fiber has a lesser weight when compared to copper, which offers the benefit of easy operation of fiber-optic systems (Hecht, 2018). In telecommunication and military operations, the application of fiber optics began with the longest links where the expertise was deemed cost-efficient. Over time, the development of optical fiber expertise has become extensive and its application is evident even in minor networks, in addition to local and international systems, office connections, and linkages within airplanes, vehicles, and ships.
Farther and Quicker
Optical fiber technologies have the possibility for improved application, a striking quality reliant on the quantity of information being developed and transmitted on the digital battleground. Optical interconnections permit quick data exchange thus improved processing speeds. With transceivers that are employed on airplanes being quicker, designers are seeking increased data rates, which has been provided by the optical technology (Petrescu, 2019). The technology provides switches that are all-optical without the provision of optical-electrical-optical conversion, and this ensures that it can successfully handle extensive data rates.
Optical expertise allows the capacity for the transportation of high volumes of information over considerably long distances. Copper backplanes, in addition to cable networks, are employed throughout the mil-aero environment and are length sensitive. The longer the distance, the greater the diminution, which results in a low rate of data. The development of optical fiber expertise has provided decreased attenuation hence disregarding distance as a fundamental design limitation. Computerized networks that ease communication may be thousands of meters apart but still enable clear interaction as if both parties were communicating from the same room (Petrescu, 2019). The degrees of transmission in fiber optics technologies have reached more than 10 gigabits per input/output pin hence improving all forms of digital interconnects anchored in copper (Hecht, 2018). This has led to the optical computing approach being more striking for use not only in aerospace but also in the military sector. The input/output system may be a short link that holds a couple of plug-in modules under a single chassis or longer, for example, from the detector in a shipboard mast to the processor and information storage site. There are several data-extensive practices, but optical fiber technologies surpass them all attributable to their payment of dividends, the inclusion of radar installations, electro-optic sensor suites, insistent broad area surveillance, and signals intellect, to mention a few.
Design Superiority
Most processing operations in optical fiber technology occurs in an electronic chip and provides the possibility of its conversion to light. Following the electro-optic alteration, the light may be directed in circuit boards in the form of a waveguide that is characteristically being developed in modern applications. The moment that light is initiated in fiber, the fiber can be used from anyplace. One can take a fast stream of data and use it in a daughter component via the backplane to an input/output link and make it remain within the framework or be transmitted over a kilometer away. Optical fiber technologies do not ensure distance sensitivity like the case of copper. For a person who is concerned with a large platform such as a C5 or 747 airplane or military base boundary network, they could have the cards in nearly any place where they prefer (Petrescu, 2019). Assuming that it was occurring in an airplane, one may set such boxes where they seem sensible in spreading of weight or heat, over and above protection concerns. In the case of copper, one should co-detect the items attributable to the length sensitivity. This has been among the strengths of fiber optics technology: position-independent system. It liberates the planners of distance limitations.
Safety and Security
Enhanced safety has a great benefit in military-aero operations. Optical fiber technologies, characteristically, are insusceptible to electronic countermeasures and explorations since there are no electromagnetic discharges. Optical fiber technologies such as networking, communications, and computing evade transient electromagnetic pulse standard problems thus improving safety (Yao et al., 2018). Transient electromagnetic pulse standards are associated with copper cable emissions that convey indicators, which may be snuffled or discovered by some means. The moment that data gets into the fiber, there is no electromagnetic radioactivity through which information may be transmitted and received by even the people who were not meant to get it. One is required to acquire the fiber physically to obtain the data.
In military operations that employ data communications using copper wire, the bombardment of emissions checking to demonstrate the safety of the information path is characteristically called transient electromagnetic pulse standard. The application of optical fiber communication may considerably decrease all forms of data safety problems (Hecht, 2018). The transient electromagnetic pulse standard is of great consideration for product developers and clients. There is a need to make sure that information does not leak to the wrong individuals. Enhanced data security is a vital benefit in fiber optics technology and particularly optical networks (Campbell, 2018). Optical fiber expertise also improves physical security, for instance, intrusion recognition technology from Future Fiber Technologies in California safeguards incredibly sensitive data at a military base in the United States.
The application of optical fiber technology systems as an alarmed conveyer Protective Distribution System safeguards Secret Internet Protocol Router Network information connections between establishments against unlawful intrusion, data tapping, and illegal physical meddling. The Secret Internet Protocol Router Network is an enhanced security system of interconnected computer linkage employed by the United States Department of Defense to convey classified data (Murphy, 2017). The Future Fiber Technology solution acts as a seamless application for military systems that entail real-time recognition of interference attempts. A safe connection is a cost-efficient option for undertaking periodic visual checks and offering real-time detection of the actual point of interference attempt.
Boeing P-8A Poseidon
The Boeing P-8A Poseidon is an airplane designed for military purposes and generated for defense and security operations. The P-8 model was developed for the American Navy and is used in the anti-submarine war, anti-surface combat, delivery, and interdiction tasks. Rising interest from defense plans over time resorted to the establishment of optical fiber switches for the American Navy. The optical Secure Switching Unit, a technological device that enhances fiber-optic security was employed in the initial testing of the aircraft (Petrescu, 2019). The American Navy representatives have made plans for the replacement of the P-3C aircraft with the P-8A Poseidon model. The commercial off-the-shelf optical fiber technology gadget has been incorporated in the Secure Switching Unit to give Boeing a reliable means of routing safe indicators in the P-8A aircraft (Hecht, 2018). The military-spec, common criteria-certified, all-optical Secure Switching Unit ensures compact size, minimal weight, reduced power usage, the capacity to endure harsh conditions, and a frictionless plan that permits proper application for millions of switch sequences.
Fiber-Optic Gyros
Fiber-optic gyros that enhance the scope of performance from tactical to premediated uses in military-aero operations are a priority in the application of optical technology. Optical fiber gyros are unparalleled with respect to performance in challenging conditions, encompassing varied operating temperature and increased vibration. The increased-performance optical fiber gyros are utilized in the Javelin Basic Skills Trainer undertaken by the American Army to enable soldiers to use the anti-tank projectile system (Murphy, 2017). Optical fiber gyros are employed in the assessment of shoulder-fired basic skills training practices and the computerized system coordinates all approaches with digital images that are portrayed on the finder of the simulator. In the Javelin Basic Skills Training, optical fiber gyros examine angular gyration accurately prior to the delivery of swift data to the computerized simulator system that enables the practice to give the trainee a perfect and realistic user experience. Precision optical fiber gyros are highly suited to an increasing rate of visual and image stabilization operations, encompassing mobile plotting, dynamic review, gimbaled photographic cameras, self-directed vehicles, and subsurface remote-propelled machines (Hecht, 2018). Optical fiber gyros also provide military equipment for air, maritime, land, and unmanned applications.
UAV Fiber-Optic Gyros
The Rafael Advanced Defense Systems located in Israel are implementing the dual-axis fiber-optic gyros for incorporation in its armament station. Optical fiber gyros offer crucial visual and armament stabilization ability to enhance Remote Weapon Station precision and success (Hecht, 2018). Remote armament bases such as the ones created by the Rafael Advanced Defense Systems have a significant role on the battleground because they facilitate soldiers in the acquisition of victory upon targets, over and above protecting them from the dangerous fire in the armored body of the vehicle. The Rafael Advanced Defense Systems employ a superior model of the militarized, dual-axis optical fiber gyro that ensures decreased noise, increased bandwidth, enhanced resolution, balance, and tracking capacities for antenna, tower, visualization, and armament stabilization practices. The Tamam Navigation optical fiber gyro based in Israel represents airborne steering and posture heading reference approach for unmanned aerial machines, target drones, helicopters, small airplanes, and precise aiming applications in set electro-optic systems (Petrescu, 2019). It connects an optical fiber gyro-anchored inertial assessment component in the Tamam Division to the Space Group and a Global Positioning System receiver.
Testing
Carrying out tests is a significant approach in the application of optical fiber technology and equipment in military-aero situations. Without a testing method and practice, an operator might be disconnecting and rejoining a fiber each time that they seek to assess a different streak. Every time that there is a disconnection and rejoining, the operator is at great risk (Murphy, 2017). If the connector is not careful and fails to clean it, it could become detrimental. If there is some dust on the fiber and it is reconnected without awareness of the dirt, problems could be initiated and negatively affect the flow of data. Nevertheless, optical fiber technology employed by defense workers assists in the automation of the testing approach using software. Enhanced technology offers a portfolio of assessment and measurement equipment and networks for the planning and setting of machines for optical computing (Petrescu, 2019). With the help of fiber-optics technology in military testing, clients acquire increased assurance in the readiness of structures thus making them center on the fulfillment of different missions and management of transitions to different operations.
Optical Fiber Technology’s Future
Optical fiber technologies and elements have the likelihood of enjoying a bright future in military-aerospace operations. Technology companies are seeking to establish rapid optical improvements to numerous practices in defense and aerospace environments. Over time, there is a possibility of witnessing the increased presence of wavelength-aspect multiplexing to realize increased bandwidth from fiber-optics infrastructure (Yao et al., 2018). Although optical fiber technology has been used in telecommunication and military operations for some time, it seems to be changing from fixed dense wavelength-division multiplexing applications to others that can be reconfigured in real-time. In military-aerospace practices, the next approach could perhaps lead to the enhancement of reconfigurable fiber-optics networks (Hecht, 2018). Modification of infrastructure to the adjustment of information patterns, inclusion, elimination of service connections, and reconfiguring of networks hold implausible promise for military-aerospace uses.
Conclusion
The requirement of a solid, lightweight, low-power electronics strengthened by the rising need for enhanced data output and transmission is swaying the application of optical proficiency in aerospace and martial operations. There are many advantages to optical computing encompassing reduced size, power, and weight, as well as electromagnetic interference resistance. These are part of the reasons behind fiber optics offering a safe communication structure where any tapping might be revealed with ease of installation and information rate over distance. Optical fiber technologies address almost all the fundamental military operation problems effectively. Since each second in military operations is vital, every available information is supportive. It is important to employ equipment that allows the quickest, reliable, and convenient degree of performance; and regarding the transmission of data, that efficiency might only be provided by optical fiber technology. The Boeing P-8A Poseidon is an aircraft designed for military roles and created for defense and security processes. The commercial off-the-shelf optical fiber device has been merged with the Secure Switching Unit to give Boeing a consistent means of routing safe indicators in the military aircraft. Fiber-optic gyros that improve the scope of performance from strategic to premeditated application in military-aerospace operations are a precedence in the use of optical fiber technology.
Reference List
Campbell, P. (2018) ‘Generals in cyberspace: military insights for defending cyberspace’, Orbis, 62(2), pp. 262-277.
Hecht, J. (2018) ‘High-power fiber lasers’, Optics and Photonics News, 29(10), pp. 30-37.
Murphy, J. (2017) ‘Optics: form, function and the future’, Photonics Spectra, 51(10), pp. 65-67.
Petrescu, R. V. (2019) ‘Boeing’s autonomous military aircraft’, Journal of Aircraft and Spacecraft Technology, 3(1), pp. 138-153.
Yao, H. et al. (2018) ‘The space-terrestrial integrated network: an overview’, IEEE Communications Magazine, 56(9), pp. 178-185.
Thesis statement: A person’s sexual orientation should not be a basis of discriminating them from getting equal treatment in all areas of life such as employment, respect of their right to freedom and such.
Gay in the Military
The American army has always been against allowing gay countrymen to serve in the army. It has been a war that even the religious groups have been involved in for a long time, arguing on the basis that being gay is a sin and should not be condoned under any circumstances. Those who feel the same way as the religious entities argue that being gay is morally wrong, and it undermines basic moral values on which America is built on. Gays, on the other hand, argue that they should be considered as a minority group, whose rights should also be respected.
Background research
Movements aimed at fighting for the rights of gay people begun in the late 1960s, just after World War 2. These movements encouraged gays to live according to accepted social standards (Dautrich et al. 128). Gays, however, went on to assume a more activist mission, urging the gays to come openly and identify their sexual orientation. The issue of gay people in the army did not come to light as a problem that needed solving until 1992 when an army colonel was discharged from the army on the grounds of her sexual orientation.
This led to more talk about whether gays should be allowed into the army or not, and this is how the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy came to being. This policy was put in place by President Clinton, and it proposed the removal of the question of sexual orientation when interviewing military people. Also, it suggested that gays would be allowed to stay in the army as long as they did not reveal their status. The introduction of this policy, however, provided little for the gay community to be happy about. Today, the recruiting of gays openly into the military goes on in other European countries, although the American military continues to disallow gays to publicly declare their sexuality (Dautrich et al. 131-132).
Proposed solutions
The gay’s cries have finally reached the rightful people as is being seen by the developments made in trying to have the ban on gays in the army, lifted. The current government is trying to pass a bill aimed at lifting the ban at the moment, and with over 58% of the American population favouring this decision; it is likely to be passed very soon. However, some religious people, as well as the Republicans, are still opposed to the move saying that it will go against America’s moral values if the ban is lifted. Already, a large percentage of America’s population, including most of the Organizations and government agencies are for the lifting of the ban. Most servicemembers too are also proposing the lifting of the ban, as they do not perceive any negativity being brought about by allowing the gays into the army.
Conclusion
The current president had made a promise to have a ban on gays to serve openly, lifted. Despite the opposition encountered from the republicans and some religious affiliates, the bill proposed to the congress for this cause has a likelihood of going through as it has gained support from most of the American population (India Today).
Works Cited
Dautrich, Kenneth., Yalof, David and Prindle, David. American government: Historical, Popular, and Global Perspectives, Brief edition. New York. Cengage Learning, 2009. Print.
India Today. US Allows gays to openly serve in army: Americas: India Today. Web.
