Operating Costs of Aging Air Force Aircraft: Adjusting for Aggregate Budget Effects

The rate at which operating costs grow as aircraft age is important for setting operating budgets and for deciding when to replace aging systems. While studies using data from the 1990's typically found 1–3 percent real rates of growth in operating costs as aircraft age, studies using data from the 2000's found greater rates, for example in the 4–6 percent range. Growth in the total U.S. Air Force budget during the 2000s appears to explain much of the higher estimated annual growth rates in operating costs per flying hour beyond the growth rate intrinsic to the aging of the fleet.     

Addressing the “headwinds” faced by the European arms industry

ABSTRACT

The European arms industry is challenged by several adverse “headwinds.” Fragmentation leads to costly duplications and, in conjunction with stagnating budgets and sharply increasing costs, prevents firms from exploiting economies of scale and learning. This is exacerbated by size differentials vis-a-vis the leading US arms manufacturers and competition from emerging producers. As some “headwinds” are self-enforcing, far-reaching industrial and policy responses are required to improve the industry's outlook. As exports may not indefinitely compensate for low domestic demand, there is an economic imperative for further cross-border collaboration and consolidation. Despite various EU policy initiatives, progresses regarding the European Defence Equipment Market and strengthening the European Defence Technological Industrial Base have been relatively slow. It remains to be seen whether the European Defence Fund will be the proclaimed “game-changer,” raising competitiveness of the European arms industry. At the same time, the UK's withdrawal from the EU adds uncertainties.     

Economic impact of the ministry of defence’s budget: methodological design and results for the Spanish economy

This article analyses the economic impact of the expenditure budget of the Spanish Ministry of Defence (MoD) and its Autonomous Agencies (AA), distinguishing direct, indirect and induced effects. The input–output methodology is used to find intersectoral effects on the rest of the economy. The article quantifies the economic impact in terms of production, gross value added (GVA), employed population, tax revenue, and also in terms of its contribution to the gross domestic product (GDP) of Spain in 2010. The results show that the activity of the MoD and AA generates 1.2% of the country’s GDP and 1.7% of total employment in that year.     

The subversion of the Bulgarian defence system – the Russian way

Russia has long been pursuing an intended and calculated policy of keeping enough influence in Bulgaria in order to have control over national decisions. Together with the economic, energy, political and information tools used by Russia in its hybrid war against Bulgaria and in its bid to achieve an enduring “state capture,” defence is also a distinct target of Russian subversion now. A list of noticeable subversive actions with tangible effects can be summarised, ranging from fuelling division and manipulating public opinion, preventing the strengthening of the NATO position in the Black Sea, sabotaging defence reform to various options of subverting the modernisation of the Bulgarian Armed Forces and seeking new ways to keep legacy Soviet military equipment in operation as long as possible. This issue must be urgently addressed both nationally and in NATO.     

Feeding the Lion: China and defence development in African states

ABSTRACT

In analysing trends in Chinese defence engagement and their impact on defence development in African states, it is important to consider both China's changing policy priorities and its capabilities for the provision of defence support. China's international ambitions and its economic development contribute to its emergence as a key supporter of defence capability development in Africa, occupying a crucial niche as a provider of support, particularly arms transfers, appropriate to evolving local requirements. The economic and politico-military imperatives driving China's engagement of Africa, which stem from its economic reforms and re-emergence as a great power, are facilitating defence modernisation by accelerating the introduction of modern arms in substantial quantities. The commercial importance of arms exports and the growing importance of strategic ties strongly situate China to help sustain processes of defence capability development in African states over the long term.     

舰空武器主要作战对象的特性及其模拟

了解主要作战对象的特性是舰空武器设计、试验必要的前提,也是空中靶标建设的关键,文章对此进行了归纳分析,提出了模拟这些特性的关键点,为舰空武器设计与试验、空中靶标设计与实现提供基本的结论。     

舰载雷达低空作战性能评估

根据美军用的ADC模型,结合低空目标的特点,提出对舰载雷达低空作战性能的评估方法,把性能评估的重点放在探测能力、定位能力、抗干扰能力和识别能力这四个能力因子上,并给出确定方法.所作研究可为定量分析舰载雷达对低空目标作战性能提供依据.     

防空C3I系统作战效能评估

为了更好地认识防空C3I在现代防空作战中的作用,了解我军防空C3I的作战效能,立足我军防空C3I装备现状,根据其技术性能及作战使用方法,依托已有研究成果,采取新的研究思想,运用WSEIAC法评估了防空C3I的作战效能.这种评估思想紧贴防空作战的实际,最大限度地衡量了防空C3I在作战中的性能发挥程度,对今后进行深入的研究发展,具有一定的参考价值.     

对第四代战斗机综合航电系统的构想

通过对战斗机综合航电系统的回顾,分析了第四代战斗机及其航电系统的主要特征和关键技术,并对我国新一代综合航电系统的能力、功能等进行了展望.为提高我国航空电子技术的水平,要充分研究国外先进技术,对第四代战斗机综合航电系统进行分析和预先研究.     

地空导弹弹道仿真模型

地空导弹弹道仿真是地空导弹火力单元作战过程仿真的一个重要环节,仿真模型的合理性、算法的可行性、过程描述的正确性,直接影响防空作战仿真结果.从仿真的实际需要出发,给出不同引导方法下的弹道仿真模型、算法、过程描述及关键问题的解决方法,并通过实际应用验证了模型、算法的合理性、可行性和实用性.