Naval Postgraduate School
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CYBER TACTICS AND TECHNIQUES AS CATALYSTS: EXPLORING THE SHIFT FROM COERCIVE TO CYBER PERSISTENCE THEORY IN UKRAINE
No full textCyber persistence theory has recently emerged as a means of better understanding nation–state behavior in cyberspace. The shift from coercive cyber postures to ones based on cyber persistence requires a new understanding of contemporary cyber conflicts. This thesis uses the Russia–Ukraine conflict as a case study to explore how cyber tactics, techniques, and procedures exemplify this transition. The research attempts to understand how cyber operations have evolved from coercive and disruptive attacks to long-term engagement. The study employs qualitative research methods to examine cases of a major cyber campaign: HermeticWiper (data destruction), the ViaSat cyberattack (communications disruption), and attacks on the electric power grid (sabotage of critical infrastructure). Open-source intelligence and cybersecurity reports are used to develop structured Lockheed Martin Cyber Kill Chain and MITRE ATT&CK framework models to characterize and understand adversarial behavior. The findings indicate that Russian cyber operations are persistent rather than coercive in nature in that planning and execution occurred over a long period of time, and that the operations were intended to cause prolonged disruption and exploitation rather than immediate decisive effects. It further concludes that Ukraine’s cyber defense is also better characterized as persistent than coercive and that partnerships, information sharing, and proactive defensive measures have strengthened its cyber defenses.Distribution Statement A. Approved for public release: Distribution is unlimited.LT, Peruvian Nav
NAVIGATING CHALLENGES IN INFORMATION SHARING
Full text linkIntelligence and information sharing are critical components of modern security cooperation, enabling nations to address transnational threats and strategic competition effectively. This thesis examines the challenges and opportunities within U.S. intelligence-sharing frameworks, focusing on interoperability with international allies and partners. Through qualitative analysis, including independent research interviews with international officers, this research identifies key obstacles such as overclassification, bureaucratic inefficiencies, technological incompatibilities, and trust deficits. Findings suggest that while the U.S. has structured intelligence-sharing mechanisms, implementation remains inconsistent, often hampered by restrictive policies and operational delays. The study highlights the impact of geopolitical rivalries, legal constraints, and partner-nation resource limitations on intelligence exchange. Recommendations include streamlining classification policies, fostering a more flexible disclosure culture, investing in interoperable technologies, and prioritizing long-term strategic engagement with allies. By addressing these barriers, the U.S. can enhance the effectiveness of intelligence sharing, strengthen partnerships, and improve multilateral security cooperation in an evolving global threat landscape.Distribution Statement A. Approved for public release: Distribution is unlimited.Lieutenant, United States Nav
OUT OF SERVICE: A CALL TO OVERHAUL FIREFIGHTER WELLNESS AND PEAK PERFORMANCE
Full text linkFirefighters face a wellness crisis, yet existing programs remain fragmented and reactive rather than preventative. This thesis investigates how Human Performance Optimization (HPO) frameworks, established in military and athletic domains, can enhance firefighter health and operational performance. A qualitative methodology examined current fire service wellness approaches, analyzed HPO implementations in comparable fields, and evaluated case studies of South Metro Fire Rescue and Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department. Findings reveal that integrating HPO principles significantly improves injury prevention, mental resilience, and organizational effectiveness while identifying cultural resistance and resource constraints as implementation barriers. This research introduces the HPO Analysis Worksheet (HAW) as an assessment tool for fire departments and recommends leadership engagement, standardized data collection, and interdisciplinary collaboration to build sustainable wellness initiatives aligned with operational demands.Distribution Statement A. Approved for public release: Distribution is unlimited.Civilian, Orange County Fire Rescue Departmen
POWER GENERATION SOLUTIONS FOR THE GREEN ENERGY SHIP
No full textThe green energy ship project has been proposed as a potential solution to the current energy problems. This thesis focuses on the design of a power generation plant that turns wind energy into electricity and sits in the heart of the vessel. This paper discusses the concepts that have been proposed in the green energy ship and identifies how they can be practically implemented in a real world design that may be used to close the gap in energy demand and clean energy production. In addition, this thesis provides an overview of the hydrodynamics, performance characteristics, and control and automation requirements of an unmanned sailing vessel, as well as the electrical and mechanical components that would work in the 12 Metre Class sailboat identified as potential testbed. Finally, this paper proposes an algorithm for rectifier control that will act to regulate power flow in the system.Distribution Statement A. Approved for public release: Distribution is unlimited.Commander, United States Nav
PRECIPITATION BIAS FROM DUAL EL NIÑO SOUTHERN OSCILLATION AND INDIAN OCEAN DIPOLE INTERACTION
No full textDuring the winter season of 2023-2024 the Maritime Continent (MC) experienced both the influence of the El Niño phase of the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and the positive phase of the Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD), which are both subsidence creating climate drivers that limit rainfall. The NCEP/DOE reanalysis II model, however, determined that there was a positive anomaly of precipitation during the winter season despite the active climate drivers. This leads us to question whether the model was correct and if something in the environment occurred to bring such an anomaly. Utilizing observed satellite data, we determined that rainfall was far less than what the model was outputting. We also found, however, with the use of observed upper air soundings that the model characterized the vertical structure correctly when compared to upper air soundings. At the end of this investigation, we found that the diurnal variability of precipitation was not well represented by the reanalysis, therefore creating amplitude biases that made the environment of the MC precipitation heavy. This led us to conclude that there may have been misrepresentation in reanalysis to capture the environment during the dual ENSO and IOD event, and that further inquiry in the model’s parameterizations are required.Distribution Statement A. Approved for public release: Distribution is unlimited.Captain, United States Air Forc
EVALUATION OF DESIGN ATTRIBUTES OF TUNNEL-TYPE TRIBOELECTRIC NANOGENERATORS
Full text linkThe triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) experiments conducted for this research are a continuation of previous research at the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) in Monterey, California. These devices use relative motion to excite an effect like static electricity to generate electrical power. This research explores the design space around a TENG in which polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) balls constrained to three-dimensional (3D) printed tunnels with copper electrodes. By improving upon these devices, ocean-based systems can improve their mission duration or range using the actuating power of waves. Twelve different tunnel designs with varying numbers and sizes of electrodes were 3D printed and tested with varying numbers and sizes of PTFE balls. The servo-actuated device output was measured with multimeters connected to a digital data acquisition system. A design of experiments approach evaluated the design space with fewer samples, and precision evaluation runs were conducted. The experiment showed a statistically significant relationship between the power generated and two factors: PTFE ball size and number of electrodes. However, the device showed repeatability issues and that non-considered inputs are significantly affecting the device output. This research points to a lack of understanding in the complex interactions between multiple charge-carrying PTFE balls in a multi-electrode tunnel excited by a sinusoidal wave.Distribution Statement A. Approved for public release: Distribution is unlimited.Lieutenant Commander, United States Nav
COMPARISON OF SOURCE SELECTION APPROACH BETWEEN U.S., EGYPTIAN, AND JAPANESE SHIPBUILDING PROCUREMENT
Full text linkMilitary procurement, particularly shipbuilding, accounts for a significant portion of discretionary budgets worldwide. With high initial costs and long-term sustainment expenses, an effective source selection strategy is crucial in the acquisition process. This research examines the source selection approaches of the United States, Egypt, and Japan, comparing their evaluation processes, source selection team compositions, and proposal evaluation criteria.Using government acquisition regulations, laws, and publicly available solicitation data, we conducted a comparative analysis to identify areas for improvement. While all three countries share similarities in their evaluation processes, their team compositions and proposal criteria differ significantly. To enhance value, we provide recommendations based on our findings to better align each country’s procurement practices with the American National Standard Contract Management Standards. Strengthening standardization and international cooperation in shipbuilding procurement will improve efficiency, transparency, and long-term sustainability across multiple nations. Future research can compare these results with other industry segments to further gauge areas for increased international cooperation.Distribution Statement A. Approved for public release: Distribution is unlimited.Outstanding ThesisLieutenant, Japan Maritime Self-Defense ForceLieutenant Commander, United States NavyMajor, Army, Egyp
BAD IDEA POORLY EXECUTED: A CASE STUDY OF THE DISINFORMATION GOVERNANCE BOARD
Full text linkThe Department of Homeland Security's Disinformation Governance Board (DGB) was a short-lived yet highly controversial initiative that illustrates a fundamental paradox: government-led counter-disinformation efforts can weaken the very democratic institutions they aim to protect. This thesis challenges the prevailing narrative that the DGB's collapse was merely the result of poor execution. Instead, it argues the root causes of the board's failure were more fundamental, calling into question whether similar efforts could succeed, even with a better-executed public relations strategy.This thesis tells the story of the DGB's creation, the public backlash it prompted, and leadership's decision to terminate the DGB. The DGB's demise is attributed to a series of public relations failures, conceptual and design failures, and broader systemic failures. Among other things, the inherent difficulty of defining "disinformation" raised fears the DGB would be politically weaponized. This in turn fed a pre-existing democratic "death spiral" that increased the public's susceptibility to disinformation.This thesis concludes by discussing the limits of securitization and the need for a new counter-disinformation paradigm. Specifically, it argues policymakers must reframe the "disinformation problem" as a long-term social and emotional resilience issue rather than an information crisis, advocating for solutions that reduce threat perception and restore institutional trust.Distribution Statement A. Approved for public release: Distribution is unlimited.Civilian, Pierce County, Washingto
NEARSHORE BATHYMETRIC MAPPING USING DRONE-ACQUIRED VISUAL WAVETOP IMAGERY
No full textNearshore bathymetric mapping is critical for naval operations, coastal management, and oceanographic modeling. However, traditional acoustic survey methods are costly, time-consuming, and dangerous in surf zones. This study investigates the use of unmanned aerial systems (UASs) to derive bathymetry from visual wavetop imagery at the morphologically dynamic Pajaro River mouth in Monterey Bay, California. Data was collected during closed (2021) and open (2025) river mouth conditions. This study uses the open source cBathy and cBathyCT toolboxes to output bathymetry. Imagery was processed to identify wave characteristics so that the wave dispersion relationship could be used to calculate depth. cBathyCT provided improved fidelity on wave crest identification using a machine learning algorithm and a nonlinear wave theory correction for surfzone depth estimation. Results were consistent with expected depth overestimation within the surfzone for cBathy when compared to cBathyCT results. The technique successfully identified complex bathymetric features including a trough seaward of the river mouth, validated through consistent wave breaking patterns. This methodology provides a foundation for future research in bathymetry derived from drone-acquired wavetop visual imagery.Distribution Statement A. Approved for public release: Distribution is unlimited.Lieutenant, United States Nav
Faces of NPS: Lt. Xisen Tian, USN
No full textFaces of NPS features interviews spotlighting the students, faculty, staff and alumni of our Nation's premier defense education and research institution