Classical geopolitics,realism and the balance of power theory

Since the end of World War II, classical geopolitics as a particular form of realism has been disengaged from the development of mainstream realist theories. This disengagement has not only concealed the value of classical geopolitics as a framework of analysis for policy and strategy, but also created an increasing rift between theory and policy in contemporary realist theories. This paper seeks to reengage classical geopolitics with mainstream realist theories by clarifying its realist traits and analytical characteristics, (re)stating its core propositions and probing into its potential contribution to the development of mainstream realist theories. This paper contends that classical geopolitics, while having a distinctive pedigree, can arguably be considered an integral part of the family of realist theories in view of its basic theoretical assumptions concerning international anarchy, the unit of analysis and power politics. As a framework of analysis, classical geopolitics incorporates three interrelated strategic propositions. Those three propositions not only constitute the theoretical core of classical geopolitics, but also manifest a peculiar balance-of-power conception that is essentially distinct from those proposed by mainstream realist theories. This paper argues that those three propositions combined promise to fill in prominent lacuna in the balance-of-power research programme, and also have significant implications for contemporary world politics.     

The stability of the nuclear nonproliferation norm: a critique of norm-contestation theory

This article argues that the nuclear nonproliferation norm (NNPN) is a social fact with a relatively independent life of its own and that it has a powerful impact on the behavior of both nuclear-weapon states (NWS) and non-nuclear-weapon states (NNWS). It challenges the application of critical constructivist research on norms to the NNPN and the idea that its legitimacy and structural power depend on contestation “all the way down.” State and non-state actors play an important role in explaining the dynamics of the NNPN, but agential constructivism runs the danger of “throwing the baby out with the bath water,” neglecting the structural impact of the NNPN on state behavior. The article examines the limitations of norm-contestation theory, arguing that some norms are more resistant to contestation than others. The NNPN is more difficult to contest than new norms (such as the Responsibility to Protect) because it is rooted in fifty years of nonproliferation nuclear diplomacy. The US-India nuclear deal is not a case of “norm change” but a violation of the NNPN. The “core” of the NNPN has not changed since the US-India nuclear deal. The conflict confronting NWS and NNWS is about the implementation of “type 2” norms (organizing principles) and “type 3” norms (standardized procedures), and not about the “hard core” of the NNPN.     

Mirror,mirror on the wall,who is the most offensive of them all? – Explaining the offensive bias in military tactical thinking

This article explores why the offensive predominates military tactical thinking. With survey results showing an offensive bias among 60 per cent of senior Swedish officers and as many as 80 per cent in the case of the army, it is clear that this is not just a problem of the past but is equally relevant today. The article asks why there is a tendency to perceive and understand offensive tactics as the preferred choice and the way to conduct battle that should be encouraged and preferred. Drawing on existing research and the findings of a pilot study, ten propositions for why the offensive bias exists are tested using a mixed-method approach. Based on the findings, the article develops a model to understand why the offensive dominates military tactical thinking. It is found that the two key constitutive factors behind the offensive bias are military culture and education. These factors most directly and profoundly influence an officer’s identity, perceptions, and thinking. Military culture and education, in turn, work as a prism for four other factors: military history, the theory and principles of war, doctrine and TTPs, and psychological factors.     

电磁发射弹丸飞行弹道仿真

针对电磁发射弹丸飞行弹道进行仿真研究,在建立刚体六自由度飞行弹道模型的基础上,采用时频分析和涡流分析方法,建立电磁-动力学耦合模型分析弹丸出膛时由于膛内振动带来的炮口扰动,采用动网格技术建立电磁-气动耦合模型分析弹托分离产生的气动扰动,从而得到了电磁发射弹丸的飞行弹道模型。以得克萨斯大学先进技术研究所设计的IAT-HVP为例,仿真分析了弹丸以1117 m/s初速、0°射角出膛时弹丸出口扰动对弹体速度和气动特性的影响,并得到其飞行200 m的弹道曲线。仿真结果表明,受电磁发射一体化弹丸出口扰动的影响,弹体落点相比理想弹道产生了24%的偏差,其中炮口扰动引起的偏差最大,其次是弹托分离。     

反电动势对无扰载荷航天器精确定向的影响

无扰载荷航天器中非接触式作动器反电动势会引起有效载荷模块与支持模块之间的耦合,影响有效载荷模块的精确定向性能。通过建立无扰载荷航天器的耦合动力学模型,分析非接触式作动器反电动势对有效载荷模块精确定向性能的影响。考虑六支杆立方构型无扰载荷接口,结合拉格朗日方程和牛顿欧拉方法建立有效载荷模块平台动力学模型。推导非接触式作动器的输出力模型,并引入有效载荷模块平台动力学模型,给出考虑非接触式作动器反电动势的耦合动力学模型。将支持模块上飞轮动静不平衡引起的谐振作为干扰力矩,建立了无扰载荷航天器在轨定向状态的Simulink仿真模型。仿真结果表明,反电动势系数越大,干扰力矩对有效载荷模块的影响越大,有效载荷模块精确定向精度越低。     

基于信息需求的情报支持效能分析

经典的侦察与监测(S&R)系统效能分析方法存在模型难以建立、结果不准确等问题。考虑到S&R系统的目的是提供情报支持,提出一种基于信息需求的S&R系统情报支持效能分析方法。该方法以用户的信息需求为度量基准量,比较S&R系统性能对信息需求的满足度,并以此满足度作为S&R系统效能度量的指标。仿真实例表明了新方法的有用性。     

融合初值校准与二阶逼近的单星测频定位算法

为减小单星测频定位的误差,提出一种融合初值校准与二阶逼近的单星测频定位算法。该算法在卫星接收信号多普勒频移为零的时间点,通过测距获得卫星到定位目标的距离信息,利用距离信息修正轨道平面与定位目标的几何关系,为初值的选取提供校准手段;将校准的初值代入含二阶级数的定位方程泰勒展开式,通过较少次数的迭代得到定位目标的真实位置,从而降低定位的算法复杂度,提高定位精度。仿真结果表明,所提出的算法与多普勒单星定位算法相比,迭代次数和定位误差大幅度减小,其实现简单、计算量少、误差小,在单星定位研究领域具有较高的理论价值和实用价值。     

亚太新局势下美军两栖攻击舰队发展趋势研究

受美国亚太战略的影响,两栖攻击舰队逐步成为美军海外作战力量重要组成部分,其发展建设水平将对未来美军海外战略重心产生深远影响。本文以亚太新局势为背景,以美军两栖攻击舰队作为研究对象,基于美国防部对亚太地区未来军事部署和谋划的构想,对两栖攻击舰队部署情况、主要任务和发展趋势进行分析研究,可以预见,在未来十到十五年内,两栖攻击舰队将成为美国强势介入亚太的主要力量。     

美陆军通用基金企业业务系统特点与启示

本文以美国陆军通用基金企业业务系统为研究对象,从后勤信息化建设发展历程、军费企业化管理特点和陆军财务转型重要举措三个方面介绍了该系统建设的有关背景,总结了与"军财工程"相比,通用基金企业业务系统存在的分配多个用户角色、实时共享数据和重视成本文化等多个突出特点,并提出与军队财务管理信息系统建设有关的六点启示,以期为推进军队财务信息化建设、提高军队财务信息化保障水平提供参考。     

美国陆军作战试验部队管理体系研究

作战试验部队是试验鉴定力量体系的重要支撑,是完成装备作战试验的直接载体。美国在装备试验与鉴定方面走在世界前列,建立了一整套行之有效的管理体制,陆军实行试验与鉴定的一体化管理,具有独立的作战试验鉴定部门,没有编设专业化的作战试验部队,试验任务主要根据装备的特性选取未来典型用户的作战部队在真实对抗环境中完成。作战试验部队主要参加作战评估、初始作战试验与评价以及后续作战试验与评价三个阶段的作战试验,在一体化试验小组的协调下,依托靶场完成试验训练任务。本文主要通过对美国陆军试验部队的研究,分析了美国陆军作战试验与鉴定发展概况,重点研究了作战试验部队管理体系,并从整个试验与鉴定系统归纳总结作战试验部队管理及相关工作的主要做法。