Patents and Dual-use Technology: An Empirical Study of the World's Largest Defence Companies

Abstract

This paper examines the generation of technological knowledge by leading companies in the defence industry. In particular, we test whether the characteristics of large defence companies are related to both the production of different types of patents (civilian, military and mixed), and the generation of dual-use technologies. To explore these links, we rely on economic data for the top 100 defence companies from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute database, and patent information from the Worldwide Patent Statistical Database. Our results show that the relationship between the production of civilian patents and the size of the company is positive and significant. However, this relationship does not hold for the production of military patents. Furthermore, the military commercial profile is unrelated to the generation of military patents. Regarding the involvement in dual-use technologies, firms engaged in dual-use are those with higher military sales, a greater number of employees and a larger number of patents (civilian, military and mixed) than those not engaged in dual-use. Furthermore, we found a skill effect (more involvement in dual-use per employee) in European firms compared to US firms. These findings help to identify which firms should be targeted by government policies if increasing dual-use technologies becomes a political objective.     

“Government contracting options: A model and application“∗

This paper models and simulates a government‐contractor principal‐agent weapon system repair model. Insights are derived as to how government repair contracts should be constructed so as to induce optimal contractor behavior. The paper's general conclusion is that the best contracting approach combines a lump‐sum payment that does not vary with the number of units repaired, expensive item cost‐sharing, and a contractor‐provided availability guarantee. Provided there is intercontractor competition, this type of contract performs well even if the government is poorly informed about weapon system break patterns or repair costs.     

MEASURING UN SECURITY COUNCIL ACTION AND INACTION IN THE 1990S

Although Africa is host to the vast majority (and the most deadly) of conflicts in the world, it would appear that there is a distinct lack of genuine interest in African affairs shown by the UN Security Council and its key members. This paper proposes a 10-level scale of response system to measure the seriousness of the Council in dealing with conflicts. By comparing the Council response with the size and severity of each individual conflict, the scale attempts to assess the Council performance in the fulfilment of its duty to restore international peace and security. The results show that Africa has been (and remains) marginalized in the Council work.     

基于排队论的地面防空系统服务概率研究

排队理论计算地面防空系统的服务(可射击)概率时,因计算模型的制约,可能使计算结果大于实际结果,影响防空兵指挥员指挥决策的准确性。对此,根据地面防空系统的主要特征,分析了引起计算误差的因素和误差的可能取值范围,克服了排队论模型的局限性,为计算结果的修正提供了依据。     

基于ANSYS的舰船武器装备基准变化分析方法

舰船武器装备基准在外界环境作用下产生变化,从而影响武器系统的打击精度。应用ANSYS平台建立舰船有限元模型,利用三维波浪载荷的计算方法模拟航行条件下的波浪力,研究了舰船甲板面武器装备基准在两种极限海况下的变化情况,发现针对此类舰船横摇使武器装备基准产生较大的变化,并且靠近尾部和两舷位置处装备的基准变化较为显著。仿真结果表明：当舰船在风浪中航行使用武器系统时,应尽量采取顶浪航行,减少舰船横摇对武器系统基准的影响。     

Army reconstruction in the Democratic Republic of the Congo 2003–2009

Since the peace agreements of 2002–2003 which ended the second war in the Democratic Republic of Congo, reconstruction of the army has been an inherently political process, in common with other attempts to carry out security sector reform (SSR). This article briefly sketches out the Congolese army's history, then attempts to fill a gap in the literature on Congolese SSR by detailing what can be found of the actual structure and shape of the present army. The efforts that have been made to reform the army are then examined, followed by a conclusion which examines the major issues and possible ways forward.     

黄页服务的合同网在编队武器目标分配中的应用

海上舰艇编队协同作战面临的环境日益复杂,其武器目标分配呈现出了多智能体系统的涌现性、协同性和动态性.将编队武器目标分配问题转化成多智能体系统来研究,根据黄页概念建立了编队武器智能体的黄页服务,运用基于黄页服务的合同网协议实现了编队范围内的武器目标分布式分配.     

间瞄武器模拟终端火力裁决概率问题研究

在信息主导,火力主战的背景下,间瞄火力的效能发挥对战争的胜负起着至关重要的作用。而实兵对抗训练中,间瞄火力打击效能的评估一直以来缺乏有效的理论依据,影响间瞄火力裁决的科学决策。文章结合间瞄武器模拟终端的使用,根据间瞄火炮打击的特点规律,用面火力射击数学模型推导出间瞄火炮射击的毁伤概率公式,该公式可以为间瞄武器模拟终端的火力毁伤概率的确定提供理论依据。     

美军武器装备维修与保障现状及其启示

信息化时代,武器装备的维修及保障呈现出新的特点。美军在武器装备的维修及保障方面走在世界前列。文章介绍美军武器装备的一些新兴维修及保障方式。     

火箭助飞鱼雷发控及弹道仿真

针对水面舰艇反潜武器系统研制、火箭助飞鱼雷作战使用研究中对助飞鱼雷的仿真需求,重点研究了助飞鱼雷发射控制仿真方法和空中弹道仿真方法,突破了不同工况不同射程下发动机关机时间建模技术、保证大范围飞行一致性的火箭自适应控制器设计技术。应用表明,所形成的助飞鱼雷武器通道仿真模型能有效模拟助飞鱼雷从发射控制到弹道航行到命中目标的全过程以及作战效果,能够支撑助飞鱼雷发控算法研究以及作战使用研究。