From show of force to naval presence,and back again: the U.S. Navy in the Baltic, 1982–2017

This article discusses roles and missions of the United States Navy with a particular focus on the Baltic Sea. That particular sea has gained renewed political and military attention following Russia's resurgent and increasingly hybrid-offensive foreign policy. Baltic nations, uncertain of what the future holds, ought to look at sea power and maritime missions in the Baltic, as well as US naval presence in Europe, to draw lessons for future posture.     

China’s Search for a ‘Strategic Air Force’

Once dismissed by many outside observers, the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) has undergone an impressive transformation over the past two decades, emerging as one of the world’s premier air forces. As it continues to modernize, it is focused on becoming a ‘strategic air force.’ PLAAF strategists suggest this means it should play a decisive role in protecting Chinese national interests, field modern capabilities commensurate with China’s standing as a major power, and enjoy the institutional status befitting its role as a ‘strategic service,’ an important consideration given the historical dominance of the ground force in China’s military.     

Moving Beyond Population-Centric vs. Enemy-Centric Counterinsurgency

Historically, insurgency is one of the most prevalent forms of armed conflict and it is likely to remain common in the foreseeable future. Recent experiences with counterinsurgency in Iraq and Afghanistan offer many lessons for future counterinsurgents, but the discourse on the subject continues to be mired in a traditional dichotomy pitting population-centric approaches to counterinsurgency against enemy-centric approaches. Historical analysis suggests that this traditional dichotomy is not a sufficiently nuanced way to understand or plan for such operations. Instead, discussions of counterinsurgency should focus on two dimensions: actions (use of physical force vs. political or moral actions) and targets (active insurgents vs. insurgent support). This perspective divides the space of possible counterinsurgency efforts into four quadrants, suggesting that effective counterinsurgency campaigns find a balance of effort across the four quadrants that is well matched to the specific context.     

喷嘴结构对高压水射流影响及结构参数优化设计

喷嘴是产生高压水射流的关键部件,其结构形式对射流动力学性能有很大影响。以圆柱形喷嘴为对象,进行喷嘴结构对高压水射流的影响分析及结构参数优化设计。采用两相流计算流体力学模型进行喷嘴内外的射流流场分析。为节省计算资源,在优化设计时引入Kriging代理模型替代计算流体力学模型。分别采用改进的非劣分类遗传算法和基于分解的多目标进化算法进行单目标和多目标优化设计。研究结果表明:直线型喷嘴总体性能较优,凹型喷嘴的次之,凸型喷嘴性能最差。以直线型喷嘴为设计对象,以射流初始段长度和流量为目标,得到了单目标和多目标优化设计结果。单目标优化时,两个指标较基准外形分别提高14.71%和27.56%。多目标优化时,优化得到的半锥角处于[15.4°,89.8°]区间内。运用代理模型和进化算法的全局优化方法在进行喷嘴的优化设计时是有效的。     

面向多平台多目标协同跟踪的指派问题

针对多平台多目标协同跟踪中要求多个无人地面平台尽可能均匀地协同跟踪多个目标的特点,提出了改进的离散粒子群优化算法。首先采用连续型粒子群优化算法中的速度和位置迭代公式,然后对粒子位置进行离散编码,使粒子编码对应于可行的指派方案;其次,在优化算法中引入局部搜索,提高算法寻优性能。最后将所提算法应用于多平台多目标协同跟踪中的指派问题,并与未加入局部搜索的粒子群优化算法比较,仿真结果表明,加入局部搜索后的离散粒子群优化算法具有较好的寻优性能。     

频率匹配准则的某型机枪自动机结构参数优化

首先分析了影响某型重机枪射击精度的影响因素,并以武器频率匹配准则为依据,以建立的机枪动力学虚拟样机模型为平台,通过灵敏度分析,找出导气孔横截面积、活塞的有效横截面积、枪机框质量、枪机质量和枪机框缓冲簧刚度等参数是影响武器射击频率的主要因素;利用序列二次规划优化方法对自动机结构参数进行优化,优化仿真结果表明,武器的射向一致性得到明显提高,这对于武器结构方案优化设计,提高武器射击精度是至关重要的。     

飞机再次出动保障活动设计方法

飞机再次出动保障活动所需时间长短对提升飞机的作战效能至关重要,针对当前在飞机保障资源有限约束条件下,再次出动保障活动工期最短难以实现的难题,提出了基于分支切割法的再次出动保障活动时间优化方法。该方法以飞机再次出动保障活动所需时间最短为目标,以有限的保障人员和保障作业间逻辑关系为约束条件,可计算出时间最短的飞机再次出动保障活动具体流程,并用VB6.0编制成计算机程序,开发了飞机再次出动保障活动分析系统。最后,对某型飞机真实保障活动进行了实例分析,结果表明,使用该方法计算得到的结果准确、可靠,与实际保障情况相符,可为飞机再次出动保障与决策提供指导,提升保障活动的自动化水平,具有很好的工程应用价值。     

虚拟检测维修系统的设计与实现

结合实际装备维修工作的需求,开发了一套基于虚拟现实技术的具有一定通用性的虚拟维修训练系统。系统由界面层、应用层、对象层和技术支持层组成,运用OSG渲染创建逼真的场景,基于均匀网格和OBB树的混合碰撞检测算法解决碰撞问题,通过协同网络通信实现多人协作维修/检测操作。通过对某型装备手控台的虚拟维修训练系统的构建,证明系统能够快速开发相应的虚拟训练系统。训练过程中操作与场景变化实时同步,结果表明该系统能够有效提高操作人员的维修维护能力。     

Implementing the Global Strategy where it matters most: the EU’s credibility deficit and the European neighbourhood

The EU Global Strategy (EUGS) is a broad and ambitious document in terms of its geographic scope and thematic priorities. However, the EU cannot devote equal attention to all aspects of the EUGS; so there is still scope for more clarity regarding the EU’s core strategic aims. This article argues that in addition to fostering internal cohesion, the EU’s strategic priority must involve stabilizing its own neighbourhood. This task has challenged the EU for decades because of an inherent credibility deficit regarding the EU’s own capabilities, yet the EUGS does not diagnose and remedy this problem as effectively as it could have. Therefore much more work will need to be done in terms of reforming EU institutions and developing common capabilities if the EU hopes to achieve its central internal and external security goals as outlined in the EUGS and related policy statements.     

Introduction: one-and-a-half cheers for the EU Global Strategy

EU High Representative Federica Mogherini presented her EU Global Strategy (EUGS) in June 2016. Encircled by security crises, it is difficult to think of something more important for Europe than collective action with the aim of weathering the storm. The EUGS, in this respect, seeks to define common ends and identify means. So what do we make of the EUGS? What does the EUGS tell us about the current role of the EU in global affairs? And how will the withdrawal of the UK from the EU affect foreign and security policy? As a way of introduction to the forum, this article notes that the EUGS focuses on the neighbourhood, puts the interests of European citizens first, identifies civilian means, and has created momentum on security policy. The key question, however, remains whether there is any interest in the EUGS beyond the foreign policy elites.