https://spectrum.ita.br/index.php/spectrum <p>The Spectrum Journal is edited by the Instituto Tecnológico de Aeronáutica (ITA), through its Graduate Program in Operational Applications (PPGAO), in partnership with the Instituto de Aplicações Operacionais (IAOp) and under the delegation of the Brazilian Air Force's Comando de Preparo (COMPREP). Its purpose is to disseminate works related to Research, Development, Technology, and Innovation (RDT&amp;I) in the fields of Engineering, Computer Science, and Military Sciences, with an emphasis on operational applications for military, civil, defense, security, or crisis and/or disaster management.</p> <p>Since its launch, Spectrum has been published continuously in a single annual volume.</p> <p>Topics of interest include:</p> <ul> <li>Flight Safety Systems</li> <li>Design and Analysis of Experiments</li> <li>Optimization and Statistics</li> <li>Simulation</li> <li>Decision Support</li> <li>Logistics Engineering</li> <li>Humanitarian Logistics and Disaster Management</li> <li>Command and Control Systems Engineering</li> <li>Data Integration</li> <li>Cyber Warfare</li> <li>Management of Knowledge</li> <li>Satellite Systems</li> <li>Biological Protection and Bioengineering</li> <li>Chemical Protection</li> <li>Nuclear and Radiological Protection</li> <li>Radio Frequency (RF) Sensors</li> <li>Analysis and Development of Infrared (IR) Sensors</li> <li>Analysis and Prediction of Military Target Signatures</li> <li>Photonic Technology in Radio Frequency (RF) Systems</li> <li>Embedded Systems Integration</li> <li>Sensor Fusion</li> <li>Embedded Software</li> <li>Propulsion</li> <li>Systems Engineering</li> <li>Quantum Cryptography</li> <li>Quantum Computing</li> <li>Quantum Communication</li> </ul> ITA en-US Spectrum 1981-4291 https://spectrum.ita.br/index.php/spectrum/article/view/448 <p>Quantum communication exploits the principles of quantum superposition and entanglement to provide advantages over classical communication. It has emerged as one of the key branches of quantum technologies, offering significant disruptive potential compared with its classical counterparts. Among quantum technologies, quantum communication is one of the most mature, having already been successfully demonstrated through both optical fiber and free-space links, including satellite-based communication. This paper discusses the fundamental concepts of quantum communication, reviews the current global landscape with emphasis on European, American, and Chinese initiatives, and examines its potential applications in the context of air power.</p> Denys Derlian Carvalho Brito André J. Chaves Victor G. M. Duarte Rodrigo P. Ferreira Copyright (c) 2026 Denys Derlian Carvalho Brito, André J. Chaves, Victor G. M. Duarte, Rodrigo P. Ferreira https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0 2026-08-03 2026-08-03 27 1 10.55972/spectrum.v27i1.448 https://spectrum.ita.br/index.php/spectrum/article/view/449 <p>Quantum technologies result from the use of the laws of modern physics in increasingly sophisticated devices, promising enormous advances in computing, communication, and sensing, for both civilian and military use. As a consequence of technological progress that has miniaturized instrumentation down to atomic scales, we are witnessing the nanoscale manipulation of physical systems using intrinsic properties of quantum systems, such as entanglement. Quantum sensors are able to go beyond classical detection limits. Quantum communication offers a security advantage over classical communication. Quantum computing enables the solution of problems considered impossible to solve with classical computers. These technologies emerge as a result of advances in science and engineering, enabling the manipulation of systems at the atomic level. In this article we briefly present the fundamental concepts of quantum mechanics, the main examples of quantum technologies in sensing, communication, and computing. We show military applications and conclude by presenting the challenges and opportunities.</p> André J. Chaves Denys Derlian Carvalho Brito Rodrigo P. Ferreira Victor G. M. Duarte Copyright (c) 2026 André J. Chaves, Denys Derlian Carvalho Brito, Rodrigo P. Ferreira, Victor G. M. Duarte https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0 2026-08-03 2026-08-03 27 1 10.55972/spectrum.v27i1.449 https://spectrum.ita.br/index.php/spectrum/article/view/451 <p>Investigating the effects of high explosives on metallic structures is important for the development of new protective systems and for assessing the load-bearing capacity of existing structures. To achieve these objectives, a series of detonation tests using TNT charges will be conducted to evaluate the resulting effects on 2 mm-thick A36 structural steel sheets. However, before performing the experimental tests, it is essential to accurately predict the effects of the detonations on the steel sheets in order to ensure test safety and verify that the selected explosive configurations produce the intended structural response. To accomplish this, a series of finite element method (FEM) simulations was carried out using Abaqus®, considering different expected standoff distances. The numerical results indicated that the steel sheets experienced permanent deformations exceeding the material's elastic limit without reaching failure. These findings satisfy the objectives of the study, since either negligible or catastrophic deformations would prevent the proper measurement and evaluation of blast effects on the structural elements during the experimental campaign.</p> Anselmo Augusto Fausto Mendonça Girum Urgessa José Rocco Koshun Iha Copyright (c) 2026 Anselmo Augusto, Fausto Mendonça, Etíope Etíope , José Rocco, Koshun Iha https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0 2026-08-10 2026-08-10 27 1 10.55972/spectrum.v27i1.451