Controlled warfare: how directed-energy weapons will enable the US Military to fight effectively in an urban environment while minimizing collateral damage

US military operations are increasingly conducted within urban environments and with these operations come the risk of increasing the number of civilian casualties and infrastructure damage. The use of non-lethal weaponry, such as directed-energy weapons, is one method for minimizing collateral damage. This method enables US military forces to effectively fight within urban environments through force escalation capabilities. Using a series of historical examples and future scenarios for urban warfare, this article highlights deficiencies affecting military capabilities in military urban operations, addresses the consequences of collateral damage, assesses the effectiveness of directed-energy weapons in military urban operations and encourages further funding, research and integration of non-lethal weaponry, such as directed-energy weapons, within the US military.     

BEYOND DECLARATIONS OF INTENT

This essay explores the obligations arising from the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organised Crime, signed in Palermo, Italy at the end of 2000. It also discusses the initiatives required to prepare the legal system and related infrastructure of Zimbabwe for its implementation. Zimbabwe joined more than 120 other countries in signing the Palermo convention, but has not yet ratified it. The ratification would enshrine the latest initiatives to develop effective strategies against transnational organised crime. The Palermo convention makes demands on the laws and institutions of states parties which could enhance their capacity to confront organised crime. Ratification signifies competence to implement the prescribed obligations, which can only occur after introducing suitable domestic laws, and adopting the necessary administrative mechanisms. The required reforms are bound to have certain policy and legislative implications for Zimbabwe. Regional initiatives complementary to the Palermo convention are expected to catalyse positive changes in Zimbabwe's response mechanisms.     

通用装备保障训练集约化建设模式研究

着眼于提高通用装备保障训练的集约化水平,为信息化条件下体系作战通用装备保障能力生成提供支持,将平台的方法引入通用装备保障训练中,提出了通用装备保障专业综合训练平台的思想,建立了一个4层结构的通用装备保障基地化训练体系框架,并以某装备院校为例构设了一个通用装备（军械）保障专业综合训练平台框架．研究成果为实现通用装备保障训练资源的集约化整合探索了新的途径．     

基于仿真技术的两栖装甲装备作战效能评估方法

两栖作战是基于信息系统的体系与体系的对抗。两栖作战对抗系统是典型的复杂适应系统。基于复杂适应系统理论和多Agent建模方法的作战效能评估方法,在掌握装备性能参数基础上,以具体作战环境和一定兵力编成为背景进行作战模拟,能够反映武器系统的诸属性在作战全过程的体现和在不同外界条件下作战效能的差别,可为两栖装甲装备研制、作战使用及战术训练、战法研究提供参考。     

The rising unit cost of defence equipment — The reasons and the results

This paper constructs a conceptual model for the selection of defence equipment providing best value for money. It then shows how the unit cost of the chosen equipment increases between one generation of equipment and its successor because of developments in the perceived threat, the available technology and industrial productivity, and demonstrates that unit cost increases can arise from a logical and rational procurement policy and are not necessarily caused by technological chimeras and military vainglory. The resulting persistent rise in unit cost is unlikely to be significantly slowed by any of the counter‐measures yet proposed.

The paper then discusses the policies which nations have adopted to accommodate past increases in unit cost, and the options which confront any nation at the point when it can no longer afford to re‐equip a particular element of its armed forces.     

基于复杂网络的装备保障力量体系构建研究

论文首先阐述了复杂网络的内涵及其特征参量,以此为基础,对装备保障力量体系进行规范化描述,提出了装备保障力量体系的构建算法,并进行了实例验证及灵敏度分析,对于信息化条件下装备保障力量体系转型建设具有一定的参考价值和指导意义．     

基于三角模糊熵的装备维修合同商评价与选择

装备维修合同商保障能力评价是军民融合装备维修招投标过程中合理选择最优合同商的基础.通过对招投标过程及以往资料的研究,在考虑部队装备维修保障特殊性的基础上,从合同商资质、技术能力、管理水平和价格成本4个方面构建装备维修合同商评价指标体系,并运用基于三角模糊熵的综合评价法进行评价.综合运用三角模糊法和熵值法,针对评价指标的模糊性和不确定性,采用三角模糊数对定性指标量化处理,又用熵权反映出指标竞争的相对激烈程度,计算出评价对象与理想点的贴近度和距离,据此对评价对象进行优劣排序,最后通过实例进行了验证.     

基于粗糙DEA的通信干扰装备配置方案优选问题

研究不确定条件下的通信干扰装备配置方案优选问题具有重要的军事意义.运用粗糙理论描述受到环境复杂性和人为主观经验的影响而不确定的决策要素,并充分利用DEA模型能快速评价多输入输出决策相对有效性的特点,建立基于粗糙DEA的通信干扰装备配置方案优选模型.最后通过实例计算,对配置方案的相对有效性进行了分析.     

大型舰艇系统破损失效概率计算

对于大型舰船,多次命中和结构防护成为破损失效概率计算的主要问题,该文通过对各种算法的比较和研究,综合了逻辑代数法、网格积分法和蒙特卡罗随机模拟法的优点,较好地解决了这些问题,得到了满意的计算结果。     

基于装备损伤概率的舰艇动力系统安全性分析

考虑舰艇损害管制过程中人员因素对系统的影响,运用马尔科夫链对人员操作引起的舰艇动力系统损伤概率进行修正,根据修正后的毁伤概率,建立概率危险性评估模型,引入危险度指标,对动力系统在遭受武器攻击情况下的危险度进行了计算,并依据计算结果对系统安全度进行评定。