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Technical Paper

Warrior Injury Assessment Manikin Oblique Vertical Testing

2018-11-12
SC18-22-0008
Abstract - The Warrior Injury Assessment Manikin (WIAMan) was developed to assess injury in Live Fire Test and Evaluation (LFTE) and laboratory development tests of vehicles and vehicle technologies subjected to underbody blast (UBB) loading. While UBB events impart primarily vertical loading, the occupant location in the vehicle relative to the blast can result in some inherent non-vertical, or off-axis loading. In this study, the WIAMan Technology Demonstrator (TD) was subjected to 18 tests with a 350g, 5-ms time duration drop tower pulse using an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) energy attenuating seat in four conditions: purely vertical, 15° forward tilt, 15° rearward tilt, and 15° lateral tilt to simulate the partly off-axis loading of an UBB event. The WIAMan TD showed no signs of damage upon inspection. Time history data indicates the magnitude, curve shape, and timing of the response data were sensitive to the off-axis loading in the lower extremity, pelvis, and spine.
Journal Article

Using AADL to Assess Architectural Concerns for Cyber Security

2023-03-07
2023-01-0998
We describe how we apply the SAE AS 5506 Architecture and Analysis Design Language (AADL) [4] to reason about contextual and architectural concerns for cyber security. A system’s cyber security certification requires verification that the system’s cyber security mechanisms are correct, non-bypassable, and tamper-resistant. We can verify correctness by examining the mechanism itself, but verifying the other qualities requires us to examine the context in which that mechanism resides. Understanding that context and validating the system’s evolving design against that context is an objective for the Architecture Centric Virtual Integration Process (ACVIP), an AADL-based approach to model and detect system design defects before they become too costly to fix. We describe our work to apply AADL to assess non-bypassability and tamper-resistance. The results of our research - tool plugins for cyber security architectural validation - support system developers today in their ACVIP activities.
Research Report

Unsettled Technology Opportunities for Vehicle Health Management and the Role for Health-Ready Components

2020-03-17
EPR2020003
Game-changing opportunities abound for the application of vehicle health management (VHM) across multiple transportation-related sectors, but key unresolved issues continue to impede progress. VHM technology is based upon the broader field of advanced analytics. Much of traditional analytics efforts to date have been largely descriptive in nature and offer somewhat limited value for large-scale enterprises. Analytics technology becomes increasingly valuable when it offers predictive results or, even better, prescriptive results, which can be used to identify specific courses of action. It is this focus on action which takes analytics to a higher level of impact, and which imbues it with the potential to materially impact the success of the enterprise. Artificial intelligence (AI), specifically machine learning technology, shows future promise in the VHM space, but it is not currently adequate by itself for high-accuracy analytics.
Research Report

Unsettled Issues Concerning Integrated Vehicle Health Management Systems and Maintenance Credits

2020-05-27
EPR2020006
The “holy grail” for prognostics and health management (PHM) professionals in the aviation sector is to have integrated vehicle health management (IVHM) systems incorporated into standard aircraft maintenance policies. Such a change from current aerospace industry practices would lend credibility to this field by validating its claims of reducing repair and maintenance costs and, hence, the overall cost of ownership of the asset. Ultimately, more widespread use of advanced PHM techniques will have a positive impact on safety and, for some cases, might even allow aircraft designers to reduce the weight of components because the uncertainty associated with estimating their predicted useful life can be reduced. We will discuss how standard maintenance procedures are developed, who the various stakeholders are, and – based on this understanding - outline how new PHM systems can gain the required approval to be included in these standard practices.
Article

Turn growing complexity into competitive advantage through digitalization

2021-03-10
While the pandemic continues, aerospace companies are rising to embrace new and emerging challenges at a time when there’s so much innovation. This innovation can be seen in the emergence of urban air mobility (UAM), the rebirth of supersonic flight, the drive towards a “zero emission” aircraft, and the continued use of autonomous drones for delivery, freight, search & rescue, and defense. There are exciting new developments in space as companies are developing products for commercial exploration and space tourism, and new ways to launch satellites. A new generation of engineering is also emerging in the defense sector and its development of not only aircraft, but also ships, tankers, and even flight trainers.
Technical Paper

Transforming AADL Models Into SysML 2.0: Insights and Recommendations

2024-03-05
2024-01-1947
In recent years, the increasing complexity of modern aerospace systems has driven the rapid adoption of robust Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE). MBSE is a development methodology centered around computational models, which are instrumental in supporting the design and analysis of intricate systems. In this context, the Architecture Analysis and Design Language (AADL) and Systems Modeling Language (SysML) are two prominent modeling languages for specifying and analyzing the structure and behavior of a cyber-physical system. Both languages have their own specific use cases and tool environments and are typically employed to model different aspects of system design. Although multiple software tools are available for transforming models from one language to another, their effectiveness is limited by fundamental differences in the semantics of each language.
Journal Article

Threat Identification and Defense Control Selection for Embedded Systems

2020-08-18
Abstract Threat identification and security analysis have become mandatory steps in the engineering design process of high-assurance systems, where successful cyberattacks can lead to hazardous property damage or loss of lives. This article describes a novel approach to perform security analysis on embedded systems modeled at the architectural level. The tool, called Security Threat Evaluation and Mitigation (STEM), associates threats from the Common Attack Pattern Enumeration and Classification (CAPEC) library with components and connections and suggests potential defense patterns from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Special Publication (SP) 800-53 security standard. This article also provides an illustrative example based on a drone package delivery system modeled in AADL.
Training / Education

The Art of Leadership Presence

Anytime
Leadership is about more than making effective strategic decisions for business outcomes. It is also about creating a positive workplace in which leaders can adapt to change and manage conflicts effectively. Leaders can build skills that can develop their presence by adopting the mindset of an improv actor. This means learning and practicing how to show up and be ready – ready to lead, to influence, and to contribute whether things go the way they are expected or not. And to have leadership presence: something that builds the trust we need to work together through good times and bad.
Research Report

The Adoption of Digital Twins in Integrated Vehicle Health Management

2023-10-26
EPR2023024
To many, a digital twin offers “functionality,” or the ability to virtually rerun events that have happened on the real system and the ability to simulate future performance. However, this requires models based on the physics of the system to be built into the digital twin, links to data from sensors on the real live system, and sophisticated algorithms incorporating artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML). All of this can be used for integrated vehicle health management (IVHM) decisions, such as determining future failure, root cause analysis, and optimized energy performance. All of these can be used to make decisions to optimize the operation of an aircraft—these may even extend into safety-based decisions.
Technical Paper

Terrain Streaming for Real-Time Vehicle Dynamics

2024-04-09
2024-01-2659
This paper describes an approach to integrating high-fidelity vehicle dynamics with a high-fidelity gaming engine, specifically with respect to terrain. The work is motivated by the experimental need to have both high-fidelity visual content with high-fidelity vehicle dynamics to drive a motion base simulator. To utilize a single source of terrain information, the problem requires the just-in-time sharing of terrain content between the gaming engine and the dynamics model. The solution is implemented as a client-server with the gaming engine acting as a stateless server and the dynamics acting as the client. The client is designed to actively maintain a locally cashed terrain grid around the vehicle and actively refresh it by polling the server in an on-demand mode of operation. The paper discusses the overall architecture, the protocol, the server, and the client designs. A practical implementation is described and shown to effectively function in real-time.
Magazine

Tech Briefs: September 2018

2018-09-01
Enhanced SATCOMs for Unmanned Aerial Systems The Bus Too Tough to Die Combating Infrared Threats on the Battlefield Optical Interconnect Design Challenges in Space High-Performance Computing for the Next-Generation Combat Vehicle Merging Antenna and Electronics Boosts Energy and Spectrum Efficiency Integrated Magneto-Optical Devices for On-Chip Photonic Systems Development of magneto-optical (MO) materials could lead to a range of nonreciprocal optical devices for emerging standardized photonic integrated circuit (PIC) fabrication processes. Low Power Optical Phase Array Using Graphene on Silicon Photonics Electrostatic doping of 2D materials embedded in waveguides could enable ultrafast devices with unprecedented power. Spatial Resolution and Contrast of a Focused Diffractive Plenoptic Camera New technology captures spectral and spatial information of a scene in one snapshot while raising pixel counts and improving image quality.
Magazine

Tech Briefs: October 2018

2018-10-01
Detecting Drones with Doppler-Based Radar Digital Transformation for a Connected Enterprise Using Electromagnetic Brakes to Keep Thrust Reversers in Place Thermostatic Solutions for Temperature Control Applications Bringing RF into the Embedded World: It's Time Compact Power Amplifier Solution for Electronic Warfare Burner Rig Testing of A500® C/SiC Test method simulates, in a laboratory environment, the service conditions ceramic-matrix composite material would experience in turbine engine exhaust applications. Space Debris Orbit and Attitude Prediction for Enhanced and Efficient Space Situational Awareness Developing accurate models to predict the behavior of manmade debris in space could be the key to preventing collisions with satellites. Maintaining Enterprise Resiliency Via Kaleidoscopic Adaption and Transformation of Software Services (MEERKATS) Implementing new technologies to create a more resilient, secure cloud computing environment.
Magazine

Tech Briefs: May 2018

2018-05-01
New Technologies Tackle UAV Challenges Robotic Applique Kits Leverage Existing Assets Educating UGVs Implementing AI Advancements in Thermal Image Training Data Sets Protecting Critical Data on Unmanned Underwater Platforms Advancements Made to the Wingman Software-in-the-Loop (SIL) Simulation: How to Operate the SIL New features include the creation of virtual environments that match real-world gunnery test courses. Soldier-Robot Team Communication: An Investigation of Exogenous Orienting Visual Display Cues and Robot Reporting Preferences The effective use of robots to conduct dangerous missions depends on accurate man-machine communications. Soft Robotic Fish Swims Alongside Real Ones in Coral Reefs GPS Enabled Semi-Autonomous Robot Combining GPS signals with acoustic and encoder data gives a robot the ability to determine its location and orientation within a reference frame.
Magazine

Tech Briefs: June 2018

2018-06-01
Beyond VMEbus - A New Concept Taming the Thermal Behavior of Solid-State Military Lasers Solving the Challenge of Thermal Design in Aerospace Electronics Improving Component Life in Abrasive, Corrosive Aerospace Environments New Pulse Analysis Techniques for Radar and EW Validation of Ubiquitous 2D Radar Converting Existing Copper Wire Firing System to a Fiber-Optically Controlled Firing System for Electromagnetic Pulsed Power Experiments Technological improvements make pulsed-power experiments with gunpowder- or air-driven guns safer. Low-Cost Ground Sensor Network for Intrusion Detection COTS-based system could provide increased level of security with less manpower. In-Network Processing on Low-Cost IoT Nodes for Maritime Surveillance Commercially available system of distributed wireless sensors could increase the Navy's intelligence collection footprint.
Magazine

Tech Briefs: April 2018

2018-04-01
Laser Detecting Systems Enhancing Survivability and Lethality on the Battlefield Designing With Plastics for Military Equipment Engine Air-Brakes Paving the Way to Quieter Aircraft Nett Warrior Enhancing Battlefield Connectivity and Communications XPONENTIAL 2018 - An AUVSI Experience Communications in Space: A Deep Subject First Air-Worthy Metal-Printed RF Filter Ready for Takeoff Validation of Automated Prediction of Blood Product Needs Algorithm Processing Continuous Non-Invasive Vital Signs Streams (ONPOINT4) Using a combination of non-invasive sensors, advanced algorithms, and instruments built for combat medics could reduce hemorrhaging and improve survival rates. Calculation of Weapon Platform Attitude and Cant Using Available Sensor Feedback Successful development of mobile weapon systems must incorporate operation on sloped terrain.
Journal Article

TOC

2024-02-12
Abstract TOC
Training / Education

Standardization in a Competitive Environment

Anytime
The course introduces the value of standards and how they can be better utilized within organizations. The course also examines standards in the global marketplace, looks at the role of competition, competitiveness, and differentiation, and identifies strategic priorities related to standardization and standards, specifically related to supply chain and international trade agreements. Participants will gain an understanding of a strategic approach for the management and utilization of standards within an organization. The estimated time to completion, including practice exercises, knowledge checks and the learning assessment is two hours.
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