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STRATEGIC MOBILIZATION OF RESERVE FORCES
Get PDFThe readiness and efficiency of the Navy Reserve are critical to the strategic capabilities of the United States Navy, particularly in scenarios requiring large-scale mobilization. This thesis examines the systemic challenges and limitations of the current Navy Reserve mobilization framework, focusing on its inability to meet the Chief of Navy Reserve’s mandate to mobilize 100% of reserve forces within 30 days. Through a comprehensive analysis, we identified significant challenges in the Navy Reserve’s infrastructure, processes, and coordination, which limit its readiness for large-scale mobilizations. Our findings reveal gaps in scalability, logistical support, and joint integration, emphasizing the need for sustainable, adaptive processes to meet modern combat requirements. Key recommendations presented include expanding integration with Mobilization Force Generation Installations (MFGIs), enhancing the Navy Mobilization Processing Sites (NMPS), and adopting a comprehensive, joint-centric approach to mass mobilization planning. By addressing these inefficiencies and incorporating scalable infrastructure improvements that align with Department of Defense objectives, the Navy Reserve can ensure readiness for multi-domain combat operations and the sustainment of large-scale mobilization efforts.Distribution Statement A. Approved for public release: Distribution is unlimited.Lieutenant Commander, United States NavyLieutenant Commander, United States NavyLieutenant Commander, United States Navy Reserv
QUANTUM AUTHENTICATION IN SPACE SYSTEMS USING THE HONG-OU-MANDEL DIP
No full textSecure communication needs are becoming increasingly critical for the Department of Defense (DoD) in the face of potential conflicts with near-peer adversaries. This thesis explores a novel approach to enhancing the security of space-based communication systems using the Hong-Ou-Mandel (HOM) dip phenomenon and white light interferometry (WLI). By leveraging quantum encryption principles, the research aims to develop a quantum authentication scheme capable of providing near-perfect security for optical communication systems. The experimental set up involved using a bi-photon source to demonstrate how to generate the “so called’’ HOM dip. A white light source was then used in the same configuration to demonstrate how white light interferometry can be used to stabilize the path length difference between the two arms of the interferometer to the precision needed to be able to observe the HOM dip over long distances.The study demonstrates the feasibility of generating the HOM dip with both fiber and free-space paths, establishing a foundational basis for a quantum authentication protocol. The results indicate that WLI can effectively calibrate the system to produce the HOM dip at desired wavelengths, ensuring robust authentication. This research proposes a theoretical satellite constellation utilizing the HOM dip for secure communication links.Distribution Statement A. Approved for public release: Distribution is unlimited.Lieutenant, United States Nav
DIRECT ACTION RAIDS AS ESTSOF KEY TASK: BUYING TIME FOR CONVENTIONAL FORCES IN A NATIONAL DEFENSE CAMPAIGN
Get PDFIn reaction to Russia’s aggression in Ukraine, Estonia has increased its defense expenditure and strengthened its defense capabilities in concert with NATO’s enhanced deterrence and defense posture. This thesis focuses on the most dangerous scenario for Estonian independence: Russia's large-scale attack in the land domain to invade the Baltic states. Specifically, it addresses how the Estonian Special Operations Forces (ESTSOF) can best support conventional forces in defending Estonia's territory during the critical period from the outset of such an attack until NATO reinforcements arrive. Employing a qualitative research method, the study examines four case studies of special operation raids from the Second World War: Green Room, Bulbasket, Longcloth, and the Battle of Cisterna. Based on the analysis, the study finds that SOF direct action raids, deployed against operational-level objectives with sustained effects, cause the highest degree of disruption to enemy campaigns. The findings suggest two recommendations for ESTSOF. First, in addition to its strategic role in developing unconventional warfare capabilities, ESTSOF should adopt direct action as its secondary task to support the national defensive operations to buy time for NATO’s response. Second, short-duration, small-team raids have a better chance to preserve SOF capability than prolonged and large formation operations and, therefore, make a greater impact over the course of sustained operationsDistribution Statement A. Approved for public release: Distribution is unlimited.Major, Estonia Defence Force
ENHANCING MARINE CORPS BUDGETING PRACTICES: OPTIMIZING O&M FUND EFFICIENCY THROUGH REFINED BUDGET FORMULATION STANDARDS
No full textIncludes Supplementary MaterialThe purpose of this qualitative study was to investigate the challenges and potential process improvements in Marine Corps Operations and Maintenance (O&M) budget formulation through the implementation of three key initiatives: (a) select recommendations put forth by the Commission on Planning, Programming, Budgeting, and Execution Reform; (b) the further integration of Defense Agencies Initiative and Global Combat Support System-Marine Corps capabilities related to budgeting, and (c) the development of a standardized O&M budget formulation template. The study explored how these initiatives can contribute to creating a more efficient O&M budgeting process that optimizes the utilization and consolidation process of O&M funds for the Fleet Marine Force. By employing a qualitative research method, this study provided a comprehensive understanding of the current challenges in Marine Corps O&M budget formulation, propose actionable recommendations for process improvements, and provided a standard O&M budget formulation template that can enhance financial management within the organization.Distribution Statement A. Approved for public release: Distribution is unlimited.Captain, United States Marine CorpsCaptain, United States Marine Corp
Shipboard AIS Anti-Spoofing and Sanitization (SAASS)
Get PDFNPS NRP Executive SummaryThis project refined, implemented, and tested exploratory prior work intended to secure a digital message ingestion path, the Automatic Identification System (AIS), common to all large commercial vessels and most other medium and large ships. Leveraging sanitization concepts and preliminary algorithms of Vasquez’s (2021) thesis, we developed new Python-based algorithms to randomly change least-significant bits in most sender-definable fields of Type 1, 2, and 3 AIS messages, attempting to maximize digital security while restraining the degradation of critical values used to forecast and avoid collisions at sea. We instantiated these algorithms into an AIS message handling program on a Raspberry Pi Model 4 B and then evaluated the performance of this AIS message manipulator when handling a variety of AIS message types intended to simulate real-world vessel traffic scenarios and conditions. In its current state, the manipulator substantially reduces the volume and types of AIS messages accepted into the integrated bridge and navigation system (IBNS), archives all received messages, and operates throughout the entire testing period with no operator intervention. As implemented on a Pi 4 using the Python programming language, our algorithm is unable to filter and modify AIS messages arriving at the manipulator at the maximum AIS protocol receipt rate of one message every 0.01333 s.Approved for public release. Distribution is unlimited.This research is supported by funding from the Naval Postgraduate School, Naval Research Program (PE 0605853N/2098). https://nps.edu/nrpChief of Naval Operations (CNO)N2/N6 - Information Warfar
Addressing PRC “Three Seas Forces” Land and Resource Reclamation Efforts in the Indo-Pacific
Get PDFNPS NRP Executive SummaryIn the last decade, China has employed its Navy, Coast Guard, and Maritime Militia to strengthen its "sovereign claims" and extend its maritime presence and control in the Indo-Pacific. This project, led by experts on China and maritime Southeast Asia, examined the best ways to push back on Chinese efforts in these maritime disputes, with the aim of crafting a more sustainable strategy to incorporate partners and allies in pushing back on China and deterring further aggression. The main findings and recommendations include: 1) The United States faces significant challenges and constraints in its efforts to push back on China; 2) The U.S., together with its allies and partners, needs to be more proactive in preventing China from threatening U.S. interests and the regional order; 3) The U.S. should focus on building partner capacity and resilience to enable these countries to stand up to China on their own; 4) The U.S. Navy needs to think asymmetrically and creatively to combat this growing threat.Approved for public release. Distribution is unlimited.This research is supported by funding from the Naval Postgraduate School, Naval Research Program (PE 0605853N/2098). https://nps.edu/nrpChief of Naval Operations (CNO)N3/N5 - Plans & Strateg
Multi-Layer Network PageRank for Critical Infrastructure Analysis
Get PDFThe article record as published may be found at https://www.hsaj.org/articles/23189In this document, we will detail a novel methodology for determining critical infrastructure within an infrastructure network based on a multi-layer version of the PageRank algorithm. We include all pertinent background and technical definitions to describe the mathematical framework employed. We describe an experimental design towards assessing the value of resource allocations in critical infrastructure networks towards the prevention of cascading network failures. We further include a description of use-case data (Idaho National Laboratory's (INL) All Hazards Analysis (AHA)) suitable to test our techniques. We include some summary results of our proposed experiments on the AHA data
Basic and Applied Research AI Requirements ISO of the Battlespace to Ensure Decision Superiority
Get PDFNPS NRP Executive SummaryWith the problem of a chasm between available mature Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning (AI/ML) data strategy and novel frameworks on one hand, and lagging Research, Development, Testing, and Evaluation (RDT&E) requirements on the other, we foresee a need for a technological breakthrough to develop machine-integrated basic and research requirements necessary to accomplish decision superiority in the battlespace. The study’s method is to use a causal model to model the context to find the input values (the “inverse”) of generator functions that are not continuously increasing or decreasing across any domain. Studying a causal non-monotonic model shows that the model generates synthetic data close to the real-data benchmark while existing monotonic models show significant deviation in quantity and sign. In the conclusion, developed causal model powered by a novel estimator based on a feed-forward neural network architecture generates a synthetic counterfactual distribution, which represents various combinations of actions, outcomes, and contexts rarely available in finite samples. The recommendation is for the investment strategy to pursue a path of eliminating the existing gaps in machine learning in the area of reusable mechanisms in the architecture and design the intelligent agents with a guaranteed and robust solution to the real-world tasks by re-using and re-purposing knowledge and skills in novel scenarios.Approved for public release. Distribution is unlimited.This research is supported by funding from the Naval Postgraduate School, Naval Research Program (PE0605853N/2098). https://nps.edu/nrpChief of Naval Operations (CNO)ASN(RDA) - Research, Development, and Acquisitio
KIDS IN CAGES: THE FAMILY SEPARATION POLICY AND ITS HUMAN CONSEQUENCES
Get PDFThis thesis examines the impacts—physical, mental, and emotional—of immigration detention on children and explores how immigration officials could use immigration resources more efficiently. It collates expert legal and medical opinions on detaining children and separating them from their families in an immigration context. Next, this thesis examines ethical frameworks in both policymaking and the immigration context to form a basis for policy recommendations. It then examines examples of recent immigration processing policies in U.S. and European Union contexts to highlight key strengths and areas for improvement. Using Bardach and Patashnik’s eightfold path, this thesis also evaluates the policy alternatives for processing irregular migrants. The combined research finds that immigration detention has lasting negative health effects on children and recommends that immigration policymakers expand case management solutions for low-risk migrants, thus using immigration enforcement resources more effectively.Distribution Statement A. Approved for public release: Distribution is unlimited.Civilian, Department of Homeland Securit
AN ANALYSIS OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE PERFORMANCE AND BEHAVIOR WITHIN THE MODEL OF EXPEDITIONARY ADVANCED BASE OPERATIONS
Get PDFThe purpose of this thesis is an analysis of artificial intelligence (AI) applications in expeditionary advanced base operations (EABO), focusing on combat and logistical operations. Using Atlatl as the simulation engine, multiple autonomous agents were tested in a scenario modeling the challenges of a stand-in force conducting dispersed operations in an amphibious environment. Each AI was tested for its ability to conduct sustainment operations below the threshold of military action as well as defend against an amphibious assault when that threshold has been crossed. In the case of scripted agents, adjustments to behavior based on a combined arms approach to warfare proved to create a more survivable AI, while maintaining its level of lethality. In the case of agents built on neural networks, their performance was limited due to the size and scope of the problem and may require additional study to show significant results. This research is an explorative tool for the continuation of the development of EABO concepts, offering feedback on the concept of operations for continued refinement.Distribution Statement A. Approved for public release: Distribution is unlimited.Captain, United States Marine Corp