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Defining Stability, Security, Transition, and Reconstruction (SSTR) Operations Requirements for Future Department of the Navy Training and Analytical Models and Simulations
"The Department of Defense elevated stability operations to equal importance as combat operations. With 75 percent of the world's population located in the littorals, the Navy-Marine Corps team is poised to be the country's instrument of choice for military support to Stability Operations. This brings the need to train and plan for these non-traditional missions. Furthermore, simulations are force multipliers in both the training and planning arenas, but no current simulation exists that adequately addresses stability operations. This thesis reviews how Navy-Marine Corps leaders plan and train for restoring a civilian population's essential services, via the guidance of The Department of Defense Directive 3000.05 and National Security Presidential Directive 44. The objective for this thesis is to create a documented methodology, define requirements, and provide metrics that will assist analysts and instructors during naval support to Stability, Security, Transition, and Reconstruction (SSTR) operations. In addition, it evaluates the capability gaps in current simulations. Lastly, a conceptual model is proposed using water as a proof of concept essential service, and a prototype framework simulation is presented. This work provides a working foundation to begin developing the next generation of simulations that will support or warfighters into the next era of warfare."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Beris, Jonathan; Whittington, Eric
2008-09
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Investigating the Effects of Higher Spatial Resolution on Benthic Classification Accuracy at Midway Atoll
"Effective monitoring of coral reefs is important for ecological and economic reasons, and satellite remote sensing has been shown to be useful for mapping and monitoring these ecosystems. This thesis will compare 2 multispectral systems and investigate the effects of increased spatial resolution on benthic classifications in the highly heterogeneous coral reef environment of Midway Atoll. It will evaluate the utility of QuickBird's increased spatial resolution compared to IKONOS imagery in the same study area at multiple scales. Previous studies (e.g., Mumby and Edwards, 2002; Capolsini et al., 2003; Wang et al., 2004; Benefeild et al., 2007) comparing various satellite sensors suggest that greater spatial resolution should lead to more accurate classifications, but a direct comparison of QuickBird and IKONOS sensors has not been carried out in marine environments. Light interactions in marine environments are complex and add difficulty to spectral discrimination, producing more variable results in classification accuracy than in terrestrial environments. This research does not find any significant improvements in thematic mapping accuracy of benthic environment from QuickBird's higher spatial resolution satellite imagery. Additionally, a cost benefit analysis did not show a decisive advantage in choosing either imagery type for the application of monitoring the extent, biodiversity, and health of coral reef habitats."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Arledge, Richard K.; Hatcher, Ervin B.
2008-09
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Assessing Accuracy in Varying LIDAR Data Point Densities in Digital Elevation Maps
"This thesis discusses the production of Digital Elevation Maps (DEM) using varying density of data points from a Lidar (Laser or Light Detection And Ranging) collection. Additionally, this thesis contains information on the multiple space missions that use laser altimetry or Lidar to gather data about planet earth, the moon, asteroids, Mars and Mercury. The thesis covers the accuracy of different amounts of data used when generating a DEM in Quick Terrain Modeler software package and the ILAP Bare Earth Extraction Plug-In and discusses the error analysis when comparing the different DEMs built by randomly selecting 90%, 66%, 50%, 30%, 10%, 5%, 3%, 1%, 0.5%, 0.3%, 0.05%, 0.03% and 0.01% of the data from an airborne Lidar collection from Honduras in 2008. Analyzing surface DEMs created in QTM, the results of the point reduction experiment indicate that a collection cloud point density of 60,000 points per square kilometer are required for an accurate surface DEM in this environment."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Anderson, Brian C.
2008-09
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Technology Insertion Considerations for Complex System of Systems Development
"The Future Combat Systems (FCS) is a system of systems, comprised of 14 individual systems, all connected via a common network with the Soldier as the centerpiece. The Army has recognized that evolutionary acquisition enables the rapid fielding of FCS technologies as they mature to meet warfighter requirements. It has implemented the Spin-out plan to leverage FCS R&D efforts to insert new capabilities into the Current Force. Complex system of systems development, however, requires more robust approaches to ensure effective and efficient delivery of new capabilities to the warfighter such that he can immediately take advantage of the full capabilities the new system offers. Integrating a Modular Open Systems Approach to acquisition ensures the seamless insertion of newly acquired systems into existing systems and facilitates insertion of future envisioned systems. The System Structure methodology provides a framework for engineering a system and is used to integrate the evolutionary acquisition process and the modular open systems approach for a tailored framework that addresses the needs and requirements of the FCS program and contribute to Army Modernization Strategy overall. The integration of evolutionary acquisition and MOSA within a sound systems engineering framework results in an insertion strategy that is responsive and flexible with the greatest benefit to the end user of the resulting products."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Aragon, Lasumar R.
2008-09
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Energy Communications: National Communications System Provides Programs for Priority Calling, but Planning for New Initiatives and Performance Measurement Could Be Strengthened, Report to the Chairman, Subcommittee on Oversight of Government Management, the Federal Workforce, and the District of Columbia, Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, U.S. Senate
"Government functions and effective disaster response and management rely on the ability of national security and emergency preparedness (NS/EP) personnel to communicate. The Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) National Communications System (NCS), is responsible for ensuring continuity of NS/EP communications when network congestion or damage occurs. As requested, GAO assessed the (1) priority communication programs NCS provides, how it enlists subscribers, and to what extent NCS controls access to these programs; (2) challenges that can affect delivery of these programs; and (3) extent to which NCS plans for and evaluates its services. GAO reviewed NCS program documents, such as annual reports and access control procedures and data on program subscribers. GAO also interviewed officials from NCS and select state and local government entities. GAO compared NCS performance measures to federal best practices."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2009-08-28
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Homeland Security: Actions Needed To Improve Security Practices at National Icons and Parks, Report to the Chairman, Committee on Homeland Security, House of Representatives
"The September 11 terrorist attacks have heightened concerns about the security of the nation's icons and parks, which millions of people visit every year. The National Park Service (Park Service) within the Department of the Interior (Interior) is responsible for securing nearly 400 park units that include icons and other parks. In 2004, GAO identified a set of key protection practices that include: allocating resources using risk management, leveraging technology, information sharing and coordination, performance measurement and testing, and strategic management of human capital. As requested, GAO determined whether the Park Service's security efforts for national icons and parks reflected key practices. To meet this objective, GAO used its key practices as criteria, reviewed five icons and parks to gain firsthand knowledge, analyzed Interior documents, and interviewed Interior officials.GAO is making six recommendations to the Secretary of the Interior. These include instructing the Park Service to develop a more comprehensive risk management approach, guidance and standards for leveraging technology, strategies to improve communications and to clearly define staff roles, and programs related to performance measurement, testing, and training. Interior concurred with the report's recommendations."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2009-08-28
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National Language Service Corps [website]
"The National Language Service Corps (NLSC) is a group of individuals who speak more than one language. [...] The NLSC offers individuals with language expertise the opportunity to help their neighbors and fellow citizens by participating in national and state efforts, particularly in times of emergency or crisis when their expertise can truly make a difference. [...] The mission of the NLSC is to recruit a readily-available pool of individuals who have expertise in languages that are important to the security and welfare of the nation. The NLSC provides certification to qualified individuals as part of its enrollment process." The NLSC pilot program, formally launched in 2007, recruits speakers of Mandarin, Hausa, Indonesian, Marshallese, Russian, Somali, Thai, Hindi, Swahili and Vietnamese.
National Security Education Program (U.S.)
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Environmental Protection Agency: Major Management Challenges, Report to the Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies, Committee on Appropriations, House of Representatives
"The Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) overarching mission is to protect human health and the environment by implementing and enforcing environmental laws intended to improve the quality of the nation's air and water and to protect its land. EPA's policies and programs affect virtually all segments of the economy, society, and government. As such, it operates in a highly complex and controversial regulatory arena. In recent years, GAO has identified several key challenges EPA faces and corrective actions that would enable the agency to more effectively accomplish its mission. GAO was asked to identify challenges at EPA that hinder its ability to implement its programs effectively, based on prior GAO work. These challenges include (1) improving agency-wide management, (2) transforming EPA's processes for assessing and controlling toxic chemicals,(3) improving implementation of the Clean Air Act, (4) reducing pollution in the nation's waters, (5) speeding the pace of cleanup at Superfund and other hazardous waste sites, and (6) addressing emerging climate change issues."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2009-03-04
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Climate Change: Observations on Federal Efforts to Adapt to a Changing Climate, Statement of John Stephenson, Director National Resources and Environment, Testimony Before the Subcommittee on Emery and Environment, Committee on Energy and Commerce, House of Representatives
"Changes in the climate attributable to increased concentrations of greenhouse gases may have significant environmental and economic impacts in the United States. For example, climate change could threaten coastal areas with rising sea levels, alter agricultural productivity, and increase the intensity and frequency of floods and storms. Federal, state, and local agencies are tasked with a wide array of responsibilities that will be affected by a changing climate, such as managing natural resources. Furthermore, climate change could increase the cost of federal programs, such as crop and flood insurance, and place new stresses on infrastructure. Greenhouse gases already in the atmosphere will continue altering the climate system into the future regardless of emissions control efforts. Therefore, adaptation- defined as adjustments to natural or human systems in response to actual or expected climate change-is an important part of the response to climate change. This testimony summarizes GAO's prior and ongoing work examining (1) actions that federal, state, local, and international authorities are taking to adapt to a changing climate, (2) the challenges that federal, state, and local officials face in their efforts to adapt, and (3) actions that the Congress and federal agencies could take to help address these challenges."
United States. Government Accountability Office
Stephenson, John D.
2009-03-25
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Federal Contracting: Observations on the Government's Contracting Data Systems, Statement of William T. Woods, Director, Acquisition and Sourcing Management, before the Ad Hoc Subcommittee on Contracting Oversight, Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, U.S. Senate
"The federal government relies heavily on contractors to carry out its missions, with fiscal year 2008 spending on contractor products and services of approximately $518 billion. Federal contracting data systems provide information on how these funds are being spent and how well the contractors are performing. GAO's testimony, which is based on prior reports, describes three governmentwide contracting data systems and the weaknesses GAO has identified with these systems. While GAO is not making recommendations in this testimony, GAO in the past has made recommendations to help improve governmentwide contracting data systems, such as the electronic submission of data to the Federal Procurement Data System-Next Generation (FPDS-NG). The relevant government agencies have generally concurred with these recommendations and in many cases have taken actions to improve the systems. The result has been improved system reliability, but additional improvements can be made."
United States. Government Accountability Office
Woods, William T.
2009-09-29
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Federal Bureau of Investigation's Weapons of Mass Destruction Coordinator Program
"The Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General (OIG) conducted this audit to: assess how the FBI's WMD Coordinators should plan and perform activities that address prioritized WMD threats and vulnerabilities, evaluate the FBI's integration of WMD Coordinator functions with field division intelligence capabilities and practices, and review FBI efforts to ensure that WMD Coordinators and others that work on the WMD program have the skills and abilities necessary to detect and prevent WMD attacks. […] During this audit, we examined how the FBI supports and manages WMD Coordinators to enable them to address pressing WMD threats and vulnerabilities in their field divisions. We also reviewed how WMD Coordinators interacted with Intelligence Analysts and examined how they used information provided in WMD intelligence reports to enhance their knowledge of threats facing their field division. We further considered whether the FBI has provided adequate training for and oversight of its WMD Coordinator and Intelligence Analyst personnel. In addition, we examined WMD activity reports from each field division and reviewed strategic plans, operational guides, and FBI directives to ascertain WMD Directorate efforts to track and evaluate WMD Coordinator activities. […] In this report we make 13 recommendations relating to the FBI's WMD Coordinator program. These recommendations include implementing procedures to help increase WMD Coordinators' domain awareness, ensuring that WMD Coordinators and Intelligence Analysts are sharing WMD-related information, and providing the necessary training to ensure that WMD Coordinators and Intelligence Analysts have the skills necessary to address domain needs."
United States. Department of Justice. Office of the Inspector General
2009-09
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Emerging Threats and the War on Terrorism: The Formation of Radical Islamist Movements in Sub-Saharan Africa
"Determining the conditions that lead to the formation of radical Islamist groups will help analysts and policymakers prioritize countries within sub-Saharan Africa that may need monitoring to prevent the onset of indigenous terrorism. This thesis attempts to produce knowledge toward that end by determining causal variables hypothesized to be associated with radical Islamist group formation through inductive analysis. A narrative describing the formation of a known Islamist movement in Nigeria is compared against a narrative describing the conditions in Zanzibar, where radical groups have yet to emerge given different structural conditions. The goal of the thesis is to try and generate an initial understanding of the underlying conditions that cause radical group formation to help tailor U.S. policy goals toward fighting radical Islamist group emergence through prevention."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Calabrese, Maurizio D.
2005-06
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Privacy Impact Assessment For the Core Accounting Suite
"The United States Coast Guard (USCG) Finance Center (FINCEN) maintains the Core Accounting Suite, an integrated financial and asset management system designed for use by three Department of Homeland Security (DHS) agencies: the USCG, Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and Domestic Nuclear Detection Office (DNDO). The purpose of this [Privacy Impact Assessment (PIA)] is to document how the USCG FINCEN collects and maintains personally identifiable information (PII) within the Core Accounting Suite."
United States. Coast Guard; United States. Department of Homeland Security. Privacy Office
2009-09-18
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Detection of IED Emplacement in Urban Environments
"This research will be focused on discovering patterns of activity that lead to the emplacement of IEDs by terrorists in urban environments. This research will employ a network in a predictive mode by looking for suspicious activity patterns and raising alerts when a pre-determined level of confidence is achieved in the prediction. The scope of this thesis will be to conduct various experiments using wireless sensor network motes to detect the presence of magnetic material. Using various configurations of the motes, a pattern will be established that best predicts the presence of IEDs in a busy urban environment. The configurations will be designed and tested for reliability and coverage to support detection in various urban settings. The results show that wireless sensor networks in conjunction with other anti-IED methods prove useful for the detection of IED material in urban settings. A wireless sensor network configured with proper equipment provides useful results for detecting IEDs and shows potential for correctly predicting behavior associated personnel carrying IED material."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
O'Hara, Matthew
2008-09
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Privacy Impact Assessment for the National Emergency Family Registry and Locator System (NEFRLS)
"The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) operates the National Emergency Family Registry and Locator System (NEFRLS). NEFRLS is a web-based system which, when activated, collects information from individuals for the purpose of reuniting family and household members that have been displaced as a result of a Presidentially-declared disaster or emergency. FEMA conducted this Privacy Impact Assessment (PIA) because the system collects personally identifiable information (PII). [...]. NEFRLS is a web-based system which when activated during a Presidentially-declared disaster or emergency, enables FEMA to provide a nationally accessible and recognized system that allows adults displaced from their home or pre-disaster residence ('registrants') to voluntarily register to facilitate the reunification of their family and household members. Individuals who are searching for displaced family, friends, or household members may also register in the system ('searchers'). Adults registering or searching for a displaced child under the age of 21 will be directed via an Internet link to the National Emergency Child Locator Center (NECLC) or through a referral to the NECLC 800 number. Additionally, as provided for in PKEMRA, medical patients that have been displaced due to a major disaster or emergency will have access to and can voluntarily register in the system. No medical information is solicited by the program or the NEFRLS system."
United States. Federal Emergency Management Agency; United States. Department of Homeland Security. Privacy Office
2009-08-27
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Privacy Impact Assessment for the Livewave CCTV System
"The Livewave Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) system is owned and operated by the Federal Protective Service (FPS), an operational component within U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The Livewave CCTV system is a video-only recording system installed in several secure federal facilities in New England. Livewave is similar to other FPS CCTV surveillance systems in secure federal buildings with the exception that it can be viewed and controlled remotely over an Internet connection, whereas other FPS CCTV systems are monitored on site. Remote viewing allows FPS to maximize staffing resources by centralizing system monitoring. ICE conducted this Privacy Impact Assessment because the system has the ability to capture images of people, license plates, and any other visual information within range of its cameras."
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement; United States. Department of Homeland Security. Privacy Office
2009-09-17
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Identification of Human Factors Concerns in Joint Strike Fighter and Training Recommendations
"Military aviation is the frontier of implementing leading edge technology. The major objectives of advanced technology aircraft are to increase pilot safety and mission efficiency; the Joint Strike Fighter, the most modern fighter aircraft under development, has many technological innovations for just this purpose. A common fact is that technology develops and is used faster than it can be researched thoroughly. This thesis seeks to identify and mitigate potential human factors concerns related to the Joint Strike Fighter, before it is used in the air forces of participating countries. The objective is neither to blame nor defend the design of the aircraft. Two surveys and an interview yielded the following findings: fighter pilots will use automation more in JSF than in their current types, the main LCD management will be key to mission efficiency and safety, the Distributed Aperture System should be addressed very carefully to avoid disorientation issues, and tactical decision-making skills will be more important and demanding. New approaches for better automation training, more focus on data filtering, display management, prioritization skills, establishing robust standard operating procedures for DAS, and addressing the complex decision-making skills in more detail than the current training curriculums are concluded to be the major requirements of JSF pilot training."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Bitik, Arif Batu; Külünk, Bulent
2008-09
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Dystopia: Where Bad Things Happen
This Center for Homeland Defense and Security Webpage contains "a fictional world created for homeland defense and security educational exercises. Dystopia is a rich detailed fictional world that is continually being developed and extended with people and places for the purpose of supporting strategic planning and functional exercises and educational simulations for homeland defense and security. […]. Dystopia itself is a standalone product. It is a collection of geospecific and meta data that creates a robust, deep virtual environment in which exercises, games and scenarios can be created. This collection of data includes spatial information, 2D map products, and a database of metadata about the people and places located in this world. Dystopia, by itself, is not a game or exercise - instead, it provides a context for those types of learning activities. It must be embedded into an application or interface that contains game logic or exercise rules. It also can be used for tabletop or other live exercises that do not use software, but impose rules explicitly and use the electronic viewing and searching products of Dystopia for efficiency.
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
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Counter Terrorism Operations Support (CTOS) Overview
This document presents background and operational information on the Counter Terrorism Operations Support program offered at the Nevada Test Site. The training programs offered are for first responders. Courses include: WMD Radiological/Nuclear Awareness, WMD Radiological Nuclear Responder Operations, Personal Radiation Detector, and other nuclear and radiological training courses for trainers and trainees. "This training prepares the responders to take immediate, decisive action to prevent or mitigate terrorist use of radiological or nuclear weapons of mass destruction (WMD), such as Improvised Nuclear Devices (INDs) and Radiological Dispersal Devices (RDDs of 'dirty bombs')." Live agent training is included in most courses, and the document offers registration contact information for those interested. A pictorial layout of the exercise site is also included.
United States. National Nuclear Security Administration
2008-07
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WMD Radiological/Nuclear Awareness Train-the-Trainer AWR-140-1
This document presents an overview of the "awareness-level weapons of mass destruction (WMD) course" offered by the National Nuclear Security Administration. The course is offered as a counter terrorism operations support mechanism. The target audience includes first responders in law enforcement, emergency medical services, fire services, public works, health care, and other support personnel in a variety of agencies. Eligibility, cost, enrollment, prerequisites, and other course information are also outlined.
United States. National Nuclear Security Administration
2009-01
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Comprehensive Approach to Improving U.S. Security Force Assistance Efforts
"Current operations, demands of persistent conflict, and enduring U.S. national security interests underscore the immediate and continuing need to improve U.S. Security Force Assistance (SFA) efforts. The frequency and importance of such activities throughout U.S. history demonstrate that the current requirements are not anomalies. Since September 11, 2001, the United States has been challenged to accomplish key national security goals due to a lack of capability and capacity to effectively advise, utilize, and partner with foreign security forces. To meet this challenge, this paper offers recommendations that build upon recent initiatives within the Department of Defense (DoD) to create a comprehensive approach to improve U.S. SFA. At the heart of the recommendations is a DoD-level organizational approach to institutionalize SFA activities effectively and to facilitate interagency and multinational unity of effort. We intend to adapt current DoD processes that encourage the ad hoc approach and implement a single DoD-level integrating organization."
Army War College (U.S.). Strategic Studies Institute
Baginski, Theresa; Clark, Brian J.; Donovan, Francis
2009-09
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Community Flu 2.0
"CommunityFlu is a software program that simulates the spread of influenza through a model community, and the impact of a variety of potential interventions (e.g., vaccinations, school closings, wearing of face masks, patient and household isolation/self quarantine). CommunityFlu also calculates the cost, in terms of workdays lost, of influenza and the associated interventions."
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.)
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Missile Defense Certification: Examination of the U.S. Navy Aegis Warship and U.S. Army Patriot Crew Certification Process
"The process employed by Naval Surface Forces to capture information during warfare certification is enabled by a computer-based feedback mechanism. The Surface Force Type Commander employs two information management system models in the form of Training and Operational Readiness Information Service (TORIS) and Training Figure of Merit (TFOM) to report progress, capture data, compare trends, and achieve training and certification process efficiency. These systems have advantages that can be recognized and capitalized upon by other elements within the Ballistic Missile Defense community. This thesis examines how two Ballistic Missile Defense elements-Naval Aegis units and Army Patriot units-leverage technology to capture data as part of the certification timeline and the degree of alignment between the certification processes of the elements. It is recommended that an initiative be undertaken to record and retain data associated with certification events down to a granular (unit) level. It is further recommended that the Patriot community in particular consider an information technology solution for the issue of unit-level readiness management."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Biggs, Robert C.
2008-09
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NPS-SCAT (Solar Cell Array Tester), The Construction of NPS' First Prototype CubeSat
"Large, expensive satellites have had failures or degraded missions due to solar cells that had not been tested in the space environment. To address these issues, a solar cell testing CubeSat prototype has been developed as part of the Space Systems Academic Group CubeSat program. This prototype provides a dedicated and responsive solution to testing solar cells in space and, as the first CubeSat built at NPS, it gives valuable experience that will encourage CubeSat projects at NPS in the future. This Master's Thesis describes the NPS-SCAT (solar cell array tester) project, including the author's experience as program manager of the project, responsible for budget, schedule and technical deliverables. This thesis explains in detail the process that was used to develop the prototype and gives recommendations for the flight unit. An important conclusion of this thesis is that CubeSats show great promise for hands-on education and as potential platforms to conduct focused research of national interest."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Bein, Alexander L.
2008-09
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Development of a Human Performance Model as a Baseline for Automatic Change Detection Software Capabilities in Mine Warfare
"This study focused on the development of a human performance model as a baseline performance capability for automatic change detection software for use in mine warfare. Through a series of survey images, operator performance was observed under a variety of sonar image conditions, including increasing clutter levels and changes in image altitude and orientation. While a rough model was developed utilizing only the physical attributes of the images, to obtain a close fit between the model and actual observations, the variability of personal proficiency was included in the final model. The inclusion of this parameter greatly improved model accuracy and highlights the need to better understand differences between operator performances in mine warfare planning."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Barrett, Jason S.
2008-09
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Presidential Notice Concerning National Security [September 21, 2009]
In this press release, U.S. President Barak Obama issued a continuation of the national emergency originally declared after the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001 in the United States. "Section 202(d) of the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1622(d)) provides for the automatic termination of a national emergency unless, prior to the anniversary date of its declaration, the President publishes in the Federal Register and transmits to the Congress a notice stating that the emergency is to continue in effect beyond the anniversary date. In accordance with this provision, I have sent to the Federal Register for publication the enclosed notice, stating that the national emergency with respect to persons who commit, threaten to commit, or support terrorism is to continue in effect beyond September 23, 2009."
United States. Office of the White House Press Secretary
2009-09-21
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President Obama Signs Georgia Disaster Declaration [September 24, 2009]
"The President today [September 24, 2009] declared a major disaster exists in the State of Georgia and ordered Federal aid to supplement State and local recovery efforts in the area struck by severe storms and flooding beginning on September 18, 2009, and continuing. The President's action makes Federal funding available to affected individuals in Carroll, Cherokee, Cobb, Douglas, and Paulding Counties."
United States. Office of the White House Press Secretary
2009-09-24
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Improved Methodology for Developing Cost Uncertainty Models for Naval Vessels
"The purpose of this thesis is to analyze the probabilistic cost model currently in use by NAVSEA 05C to predict cost uncertainty in naval vessel construction and to develop a method that better predicts the ultimate cost risk. The data used to develop the improved approach is collected from analysis of the CG(X) class ship by NAVSEA 05C. The NAVSEA 05C cost risk factors are reviewed and analyzed to determine if different factors are better cost predictors. The impact of data elicitation, the Money Allocated Is Money Spent (MAIMS) principle, and correlation effects are incorporated into the research and analysis of this thesis. Data quality is directly affected by data elicitation methods and influences the choice of probability distribution used to give the best predictor of cost risk. MAIMS and correlation effects are shown to make a significant impact to the overall cost model. Program managers and analysts can readily implement the enhanced models using commercial Excel add-ins, such as Crystal Ball or @Risk, and integrate them into their current cost risk analysis and management practices to better mitigate risk and control project cost."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Brown, Cinda L.
2008-09
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Detection of Frequency Hopped Signals Timing Information Using the Temporal Correlation Function
"This work extends earlier work derived by Overdyk and investigates the use of wavelet transform and image processing tools to estimate hopping times occurring in frequency hopping schemes. The detection algorithm identifies frequency hopping time locations found in FH schemes from the information provided by the two-dimensional shortterm signal temporal correlation function. Hopping time locations are shown to be provided by indentifying TCF phase discontinuities. The detection scheme has three main stages: 1. Derive the analytic version of the FH signal and compute the resulting TCF function; 2. Enhance discontinuities via the one-dimensional Wavelet transform; 3. Apply morphological image processing operations and the Hough transform to estimate hopping time locations. Results show that for FH signals imbedded in additive White Gaussian noise, reliable detection performance may be obtained for SNR levels above 3 dB and good detection performance for SNR levels above 6dB for 5% to 20% detection accuracy."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Cheng, Yuan-Pin
2008-09
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Secretary Napolitano Emphasizes Shared Responsibility for Readiness and Resilience [September 29, 2009]
"Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano today marked the conclusion of National Preparedness Month by delivering a speech emphasizing America's shared responsibility for preparedness and stressing the important role that individuals play in building a national culture of readiness and resilience. 'When families are prepared--when communities stand together and stand tall--so does our nation,' said Secretary Napolitano. 'United, we send a powerful message to those that seek to do us harm: we cannot be broken, we are America--strong and resilient.'"
United States. Department of Homeland Security. Press Office
2009-09-29
