‘Innovate or die’: Organizational culture and the origins of maneuver warfare in the United States Marine Corps

The purpose of this article is twofold. First, this article contributes to the understanding of the origins of maneuver warfare as the capstone doctrine of the Marine Corps. It does so by identifying a second source that fostered change in the Marine Corps – one in addition to disquiet about the conduct of the war in Vietnam – which stemmed from the challenges posed by the United States' post-Vietnam strategic and military reorientation. And second, this article examines the influence of organizational culture, or identity, on innovation in the Marine Corps. A critical strand in the growing literature on military innovation focuses on organizational culture and how it influences the behavior and responses of particular military organizations. This article contributes to this literature by analyzing the influence of the organizational culture of the Marine Corps in shaping what was deemed an appropriate response to the challenges it confronted in the 1970s.     

War’s Horizon: Soldier-Led Adaptation in Iraq and Vietnam

Wartime adaptation is a process of adjustment from the war you planned for to the one you have. This process of adjustment is done, in part, by the practitioners of war in the theater of conflict–soldier-led adaptation. Drawing upon two case studies of gun truck development in Iraq and Vietnam I argue that soldiers created networks in order to adapt to battlefield challenges and that the pattern of those networks carries implications for the likelihood of formal adoption by the organization. Simply put, the pattern of the flow of ideas, resources, and skills across the battlefield may affect the likelihood of bottom-up adaptation.     

Performance of Greek–Roman Artillery

Abstract

The main throwing machines invented and used by the Greeks and adopted, more widely, by Roman armies are examined. The kinematics and dynamics of both light and heavy Greek–Roman artillery are used in order to accurately assess its performance. Thus, a better understanding is obtained of the tactics and strategies of the legions of the Roman Empire as well as the reasons for some brilliant campaigns. Reconstructions of a repeating catapult, considered to be the ancestor of the modern machine gun, are also presented. The development of the mechanical design of such machines is discussed and pictorial reconstructions proposed.     

基于Virtual．Lab的某型减速器建模及仿真

为了预测某型自行火炮减速器的寿命,基于Pro/E实体模型,用Virtual.Lab建立了其虚拟样机模型,提出并简述了动态关联的模型校核验证方法,并利用动态关联法,对所建立的虚拟样机模型进行了验证,确认所建立的减速器虚拟样机符合实际情况,同时该虚拟样机模型通过加载得到了二档速度B级路面下太阳齿轮受到的扭矩,为下一步齿轮的校核打下了基础。     

Aerodynamics analysis of a hypersonic electromagnetic gun launched projectile

A hypersonic aerodynamics analysis of an electromagnetic gun (EM gun) launched projectile configuration is undertaken in order to ameliorate the basic aerodynamic characteristics in comparison with the regular projectile layout. Static margin and pendulum motion analysis models have been applied to evaluate the flight stability of a new airframe configuration. With a steady state computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation, the basic density, pressure and velocity contours of the EM gun projectile flow field at Mach number 5.0, 6.0 and 7.0 (angle of attack = 0°) have been analyzed. Furthermore, the static margin values are enhanced dramatically for the EM gun projectile with configuration optimization. Drag, lift and pitch property variations are all illustrated with the changes of Mach number and angle of attack. A particle ballistic calculation was completed for the pendulum analysis. The results show that the configuration optimized projectile, launched from the EM gun at Mach number 5.0 to 7.0, acts in a much more stable way than the projectiles with regular aerodynamic layout.     

Figuring out fighting organisations: The new organisational analysis in strategic studies

Deborah D. Avant, Political Institutions and Military Change: Lessons from Peripheral Wars, Ithaca, New York, and London: Cornell University Press, 1994. Pp.xi + 161, biblio. index; £23.50. ISBN 0–8014–3034–8.

Craig M. Cameron, American Samurai: Myth, Imagination, and the Conduct of Battle in the First Marine Division, 1941–1951, Cambridge and New York: Cambridge University Press, 1994. Pp.xiii + 297, 19 illus. 9 maps, 2 tables, biblio. index; £25. ISBN 0–521–44168–4.

Leonard A. Humphreys, The Way of the Heavenly Sword: The Japanese Army in the 1920s, Stanford, California: Stanford University Press, 1995. Pp.x + 252, 7 illus., biblio. index; £27.50. ISBN 0–8047–2375–3.

Jeffrey W. Legro, Cooperation Under Fire: Anglo‐German Restraint During World War II, Ithaca, New York, and London: Cornell University Press, 1995. Pp.xii + 255, 1 table, biblio. index; £27.50. ISBN 0–8014–2938–2.

Stephen Peter Rosen, Winning the Next War: Innovation and the Modern Military, Ithaca, New York, and London: Cornell University Press, 1991. Pp.vii + 275, 1 table, biblio. index; £27.50 (cloth), £11.95 (paper). ISBN 0–8014–2556–5 and ‐8196–1.

Kimberly Martin Zisk, Engaging the Enemy: Organization Theory and Soviet Military Innovation, 1955–1991, Princeton, New Jersey: Princeton University Press, 1993. Pp.x + 286, biblio. index; £33.50. ISBN 0–691–06982–4.     

舰载激光武器反导作战使用研究

反舰导弹日益严重的威胁要求水面舰艇必须进一步提高自身防空反导能力。在分析研究激光武器拦截反舰导弹可行性的基础上,模拟了激光武器对“鱼叉”反舰导弹的拦截,提出了激光武器反导作战使用的一般方法及其上舰所存在的问题,对增强水面舰艇在未来海战中的生命力和战斗力有重要意义。     

An application of empirical bayes techniques to the simultaneous estimation of many probabilities

Consider the following situation: Each of N different combat units is presented with a number of requirements to satisfy, each requirement being classified into one of K mutually exclusive categories. For each unit and each category, an estimate of the probability of that unit satisfying any requirement in that category is desired. The problem can be generally stated as that of estimating N different K-dimensional vectors of probabilities based upon a corresponding set of K-dimensional vectors of sample proportions. An empirical Bayes model is formulated and applied to an example from the Marine Corps Combat Readiness Evaluation System (MCCRES). The EM algorithm provides a convenient method of estimating the prior parameters. The Bayes estimates are compared to the ordinary estimates, i.e., the sample proportions, by means of cross validation, and the Bayes estimates are shown to provide considerable improvement.     

New Light on the Simpson of York Gun

Abstract

New evidence is examined relating to the making of the Royal Armouries exquisitely decorated sporting gun by William Simpson of York, which has been said to be the finest English gun in existence. Simpson had moved from London to York by 1837 and it has been suggested that this gun was made by him for William Constable (who is known to have owned it) of Burton Constable Hall, near Hull, and indeed, that elements of its decoration were made to match that found on other items made for the Hall. However, it is shown that these apparent links are matters of chance and that this wonderful gun was, in fact, made as a marketing exercise to help Simpson establish himself in York. Advertisements in the York Courant in the summer of 1738 show that Simpson offered it as a raffle prize!     

应用全站仪综合测量火炮偏离角及俯仰半径

提出一种应用全站仪进行火炮偏离角和俯仰半径的综合测量方法。应用最小二乘原理拟合出火炮俯仰半径,然后解算出火炮偏离角,并用Monte Carlo方法分析了测量结果的精度。结果表明:全站仪高低角和火炮仰角的测量精度均对火炮偏离角和俯仰半径的测量结果无明显影响;全站仪测距精度对火炮俯仰半径测量结果的影响较大;全站仪水平角测量精度对火炮偏离角测量结果的影响明显。该方法在现场操作时需要重点关注全站仪水平观测角和测距的检测精度。     

基于改进支持向量回归机的火炮身管寿命预测

为准确预测火炮身管寿命终止时火炮射弹数,根据射击过程中火炮身管磨损量与身管寿命特性,分析了身管膛线起始部磨损量与身管射弹数之间的关系,提出了支持向量回归机算法,并采用遗传算法进行模型优化改进,得到火炮身管寿命预测最优模型。结合两种类型火炮的身管数据,利用该模型对身管寿命进行预测,并与原始支持向量回归机进行对比,通过分析可知改进的支持向量回归机预测效果好、精度高,为火炮在实际应用中身管的寿命预测提供了新的思路。     

用有限元法优化高射机枪结构设计

以某高射机枪为研究对象,采用有限元法对该枪进行建模,并用实验研究的结果检验和修改了理论模型。计算了该枪的结构动态特性和枪口动力响应,从改善射击精度的角度出发,通过对若干结构修改方案的模拟计算,提出了该枪结构修改的参考意见。     

身管柔性化对火炮动力后坐试验的影响研究

为研究火炮动力后坐试验过程中身管变形对火炮后坐复进运动的影响,以某自行火炮火力部分作为研究对象,基于多体动力学和有限元方法,构建了考虑身管柔性化的火力部分刚柔耦合动力学模型。该模型中,炮膛合力以样条函数的形式直接作用在炮口前端。通过仿真,对比火炮后坐部分最大后坐速度、最大后坐位移以及最大后坐速度时的后坐位移和时间的仿真值与实弹射击过程中的试验值,结果表明,采用冲击的方式进行火炮后坐模拟试验时,身管柔性特征对火炮后坐复进特性影响较小,也证明冲击式火炮后坐试验装置的研制可行性。     

Using public health information to inform,build support and implement policies for gun violence prevention: A case study from the gun ban referendum

Gun violence is one of the most serious health problems in Brazil. Information on gun deaths and injuries is collected by the Ministry of Health. This data has been used very successfully to inform and design public policies for preventing gun violence. This article analyses the use of public health information by researchers and activists, as well as government officials and the media, to reveal the severity of firearm injuries and deaths and to gain consensus on the need for reforms to national gun laws. It also assesses the resounding ‘no’ vote in a recent disarmament referendum to decide whether to prohibit the sale of guns and ammunition. The results of the Brazilian referendum are a lesson to other countries struggling to deal with high levels of gun violence, showing that it may not always be enough to have data to back up efforts to change policies—as people's decisions around gun ownership and use, as well as their choices regarding security policies, are motivated by a complex interaction of factors.     

速射转管炮射击校正方法

速射转管炮的使用成功地解决了射速高、寿命长、后坐力小三者之间的矛盾,但另一方面也给舰炮火控系统带来了新的问题。在分析转管炮对弹丸运动影响的基础上,重点描述了速射转管炮射击校正的方法。     

高射机枪有限元模型研究

建立高射机枪有限元模型的目的在于对其进行动力特性分析和求解动力响应,并作为自动武器动力学仿真的重要组成部分。针对某型高射机枪建立有限元改进模型,建模中,把枪身、托架等简化为空间梁系,下架采用三维等参元模拟,并采用主从自由度法处理了三维元与梁元的联结问题,通过与传统粱单元模型的对比分析,说明改进模型具有较好的精度。     

基于模糊综合评判的车载火炮调炮性能评估

针对车载火炮调炮性能评估局限于定性评估的现状,分析了车载火炮调炮性能影响因素,应用层次分析法构建评价体系并确定各评价因素权重系数,引入模糊综合评判建立了评估模型,通过量化评价等级,将其与评判指标集加权平均,实现了对车载火炮调炮性能的定量化评估。算例计算结果验证了车载火炮调炮性能定量化评估的可行性。     

速射转管炮射击精度的影响因素及对策

速射转管炮作为近程反导武器系统的重要一员,射击精度影响着其最终防御效果,通过对速射转管炮特点及其射击偏差机理的分析,研究了转管炮射击过程中身管转速、弹丸初速等多种因素对射击精度的影响,并在转管炮初始设计、弹道模型和校射等方面提出了修正误差、提高射击精度的方法。     

地炮火控系统一次调炮的实现

现代战争是速度战 ,要求速战速决。实现一次调炮能缩短地炮火控系统的调炮时间 ,提高整个武器系统的反应速度和战斗力。对地炮火控系统的一次调炮模型和控制方法作了介绍。通过一次调炮与二次调炮的比较 ,进一步证明了一次调炮的先进性。一次调炮模型适应任何压制兵器系统。     

基于BP神经网络的舰炮武器系统综合保障性能评价

通过对舰炮武器系统的分析,建立舰炮武器系统综合保障性能评价的指标体系。把神经网络的相关知识应用到舰炮武器系统综合保障性能评价中,得到了相应的BP神经网络评价模型。通过一些舰炮武器系统的实例计算,验证了模型的正确性,为舰炮武器系统的研制和改进提供了一定的参考依据。