Operational Applications in Defense Areas

Considerations on the Use of Aircraft and Pilot Dosimetry in CBRN Defense Scenario

Joyce Silvestre, José Elias Matieli, Edson Ramos de Andrade, Claudio Federico — Tue, 22 Oct 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Defense against Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) agents is delicate and the success of operations in this type of scenario relies on caution in every step, from pre to post mission. The main way to protect the involved teams, the public and the equipment used is individual and ambient monitoring. This work is about the use of aircraft in CBRN Defense scenario, presenting brief considerations on the necessary precautions on different phases of this kind of mission, and detailing the radiological monitoring of aircrew members in radiological and nuclear events. This analysis focuses on H-36 Caracal aircraft, in which a careful technical analysis on the operational condition of pilots for this kind of mission is performed, as long as the appropriate dose conversion factors for radiation measurements. We also performed practical detector positiong experiments and suggested the possible use of individual monitors in the side pocket of the operational overall, warning on the need of the use of correction factors for conversion of measured dose to effective dose incident on aircrew body in this type of scenario.

High Sensitivity Long Pulse Envelope Detector Assisted by Microwave Photonics

André Paim Gonçalves, Felipe S. Ivo, Olympio L. Coutinho — Tue, 22 Oct 2024 00:00:00 +0000

This article presents a concept of a long pulse envelope detector (ED) with a high sensitivity value based on Microwave Photonics (MWP). The process of envelope detecting of RF signals is achieved by the translation of the RF spectrum to the optical spectrum range followed by optical filtering to cut the lower sideband and the carrier, finally beating the remaining upper sideband into a low-speed photodetector (LSPD). The LSPD output signal is amplified by transimpedance gain. This approach depends only on the RF passing band of the phase modulator (PM) and the optical filter transfer function. This concept is experimentally demonstrated reaching envelope detector tangential signal sensitivity (TSS) values around to -40 dBm for RF input frequency range from 10 GHz to 20 GHz. The proposed architecture does not use any optical or video signal amplifier. The implementation of this approach is simple, employs few components, and Commercial off-the-Shelf (COTS).

Proposal of Anti-Radiation Missile Decoy Assisted by Microwave Photonics

Tue, 22 Oct 2024 00:00:00 +0000

This article proposes the concept of a decoy that could be used against anti-radiation missiles (ARMs). The bait signals are generated remotely and transmitted to the sacrificial antenna site over a fiber optic network. This network has the possibility to support broadband radar signals in the range of a few GHz. This study postulated a distance of 1 km in relation to its park of antennas, however, this distance may be greater. This analog fiber link was designed for radar signal transmission in the frequency range of 0.3 to 3 GHz. The theoretical results were compared with the experimental ones and it was observed that the behavior of the radar signal power gain in the studied range is straight, thus the signal does not present distortions. The system proposed in this study is promising as a distraction for ARMs.

Advanced Defensive Tactics

Mario Viscardi Filho, João Dantas, Diego Geraldo, Angelo Pássaro — Tue, 22 Oct 2024 00:00:00 +0000

The study developed and evaluated the winding maneuver, a new defensive maneuver against threats, threat reaction, aimed at improving aircraft penetration into hostile territories against passive and semi-active surface-to-air missiles. The maneuver, based on navigation principles and evasive maneuvers, was simulated using the Aerospace Simulation Environment (ASA) software in combat scenarios. Data analysis involved experimental design, statistical testing, application of machine learning models, and optimization through metaheuristics. The results indicated that the winding maneuver significantly improves aircraft survival rates and mission success, as demonstrated by the Victory Capability Determinant (VCD) metric developed in the study. The optimized configuration of the maneuver, obtained using the Genetic Algorithm, was verified through new simulations, confirming its operational effectiveness.

Optimizing Airlift Operations for Military Outposts

Mario Viscardi Filho, Sergio Rebouças, Angelo Pássaro — Tue, 22 Oct 2024 00:00:00 +0000

To maintain Brazil's sovereignty in the Amazon, the Brazilian Army operates Special Border Platoons (PEF) in remote locations, with basic supplies primarily delivered by air, supported by the Brazilian Air Force. Utilizing concepts from the Packing Problems in Operational Research, this study presents a proposal to increase the efficiency of support operations for the PEFs through a mathematical model for aircraft loading during missions. The proposed model demonstrated a significant reduction in the number of required trips, optimizing cargo distribution and operational time. The study highlights the efficiency achieved through the application of an exact optimization model and a high-performance hybrid algorithm, in a case study applied to the PEFs in Surucucu and Auaris, contributing to the reduction of operational costs.

Prof. Dr. José Edimar Barbosa Oliveira – a Legacy for National Defense and for Brazil.

Ali Kamel Issmael Junior — Tue, 22 Oct 2024 00:00:00 +0000

The objective of this article is to record a brief biography of Prof. Dr. José Edimar Barbosa Oliveira and to highlight his notable contributions for the advancement of studies in Electromagnetism, Photonics and Electronic Warfare at the Technological Institute of Aeronautics (ITA). In particular, his fundamental participation in the creation of the Specialization Course in Analysis of the Electromagnetic Environment (CEAAE) and the Postgraduate Program in Operational Applications (PPGAO) of the Brazilian Air Force (FAB). The two initiatives have, to date, leveraged the professional and human training of several Officers of the Brazilian Armed Forces, bringing the Academy closer to the Naval, Land and Air Operational Sectors. The multiple actions involve the study and implementation of innovative and indigenous solutions developed by its Student Officers. This work aims to help ensure that their memory and examples are preserved, replicated and expanded. The best reward for Prof. Edimar, who unfortunately passed away in April 2023, would see Brazil increasingly becoming a sovereign, independent and developed nation in Science, Technology and Innovation.

Initiative in Quantum Networks and Their Applications at the Aeronautics Institute of Technology (ITA)

Tue, 22 Oct 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Professors at the Aeronautics Institute of Technology (ITA) have joined forces to expand their actions in quantum technologies, presenting a proposal to enhance the institution’s research capacity in this field. The goal is to have a greater impact on teaching and research activities, support the development of new business proposals, and contribute to education and the popularization of S&T, as well as to the understanding and use of these technologies by Brazilian society.