Defence Equipment and Support

The standard and real-time communication technology is an unalloyed inevitability for the development of Internet of Things (IoT) applications. However, the selection of a standard and effective messaging protocol is a challenging and daunting task for any organisation because it depends on the nature of the IoT system and its messaging requirements. Copious messaging protocols have been developed and employed by various organisations based on their requirements in the last two decades. Though, none of them is able to support all messaging requirements of all types of IoT systems. Messaging protocol is an ongoing dilemma for the IoT industry; consequently, it is important to understand the pros and cons of the widely accepted and emerging messaging protocols for IoT systems to determine their best-fit scenarios. Therefore, this paper presents an evaluation of the four established messaging protocols MQTT, CoAP, AMQP and HTTP for IoT systems. Firstly, it presents the broad comparison among these messaging protocols to introduce their characteristics comparatively. Afterwards, it performs a further in-depth and relative analysis based on some interrelated criteria to gain insight into their strengths and limitations. Thus, based on this detailed evaluation, the user can decide their appropriate usage in various IoT systems according to their requirements and suitability.

BACKGROUND: Few studies have examined suicide risk in individuals once they have left the military. We aimed to investigate the rate, timing, and risk factors for suicide in all those who had left the UK Armed Forces (1996-2005). METHODS AND FINDINGS: We carried out a cohort study of ex-Armed Forces personnel by linking national databases of discharged personnel and suicide deaths (which included deaths receiving either a suicide or undetermined verdict). Comparisons were made with both general and serving populations. During the study period 233,803 individuals left the Armed Forces and 224 died by suicide. Although the overall rate of suicide was not greater than that in the general population, the risk of suicide in men aged 24 y and younger who had left the Armed Forces was approximately two to three times higher than the risk for the same age groups in the general and serving populations (age-specific rate ratios ranging from 170 to 290). The risk of suicide for men aged 30-49 y was lower than that in the general population. The risk was persistent but may have been at its highest in the first 2 y following discharge. The risk of suicide was greatest in males, those who had served in the Army, those with a short length of service, and those of lower rank. The rate of contact with specialist mental health was lowest in the age groups at greatest risk of suicide (14% for those aged under 20 y, 20% for those aged 20-24 y). CONCLUSIONS: Young men who leave the UK Armed Forces were at increased risk of suicide. This may reflect preservice vulnerabilities rather than factors related to service experiences or discharge. Preventive strategies might include practical and psychological preparation for discharge and encouraging appropriate help-seeking behaviour once individuals have left the services.

Momentum is gathering on the development of dc power systems for naval platforms. However, the necessary accurate location and isolation of faults within the zonal distribution system remains a challenge. The method of “foldback” is an example of a technique which has been developed to exploit the fast control of the supply power converters to maintain bus currents to within acceptable levels. Techniques such as this need to be supported by equipment which can classify and localize the fault, so the fault can be cleared and the system can be reconfigured. A new technology - active impedance estimation - is presented which offers benefits to future marine power systems, and its application to dc zonal distribution systems is discussed. Experimental results from a dc system demonstrator show the potential of the new technique for fault location.

The software industry has been embracing the multi-cloud infrastructure for the design and adaptation of complex and distributed software systems. This new hybrid cloud infrastructure makes it possible to mix and match platforms and cloud providers for various software development activities. There are several benefits of the multi-cloud infrastructure such as lower level of vendor lock-in and minimize the risk of widespread data loss or downtime. However, it has many challenges such as non-standard and inherent complexity due to different technologies, interfaces, and services. Docker has introduced container-based software development approach in the past few years and gaining popularity in the software industry. It has recently introduced its distributed system development tool called Swarm, which extends the Docker container-based software development process on multiple hosts in multiple clouds without any interoperability issue. Docker Swarm-based distributed software development is a newborn approach for the cloud industry; nonetheless, it has a huge potential to provide multi-cloud development environment without worrying the complexity of it. This paper presents the simulation of building a virtual system of systems (SoS) for the distributed software development process on multiple clouds. This simulation of virtual SoS is based on Docker Swarm, VirtualBox, Mac OS X, nginx and redis. However, the same SoS can be created on any of the Docker supported cloud by just changing the driver name to the desired cloud name such as Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, Digital Ocean, Google Compute Engine, Exoscale, Generic, OpenStack, Rackspace, IBM Softlayer, VMware vCloud Air.

Digital identity is one of the biggest challenges in cyberspace. This field has been evolving for many decades with a number of Identity Management (IDM) models being proposed and employed; however, few were able to solve the issue of sovereignty of an identity and storage-control of its associated personal and confidential data. Self-Sovereign Identity (SSI) was introduced to solve this crucial issue offering a user full sovereignty of their identity and storage-control of their associated personal and confidential data. Alongside ownership of an identity, it maintains all private information in a Digital Wallet which is owned and controlled by the user. However, SSI is an emerging IDM, therefore it requires careful evaluation of various aspects of SSI for it to become an operative IDM. This paper proposes several specifications to evaluate any SSI solution. Subsequently, it analyses two emerging SSI solutions uPort and Sovrin. Finally, an evaluation of uPort and Sovrin SSI is performed utilising the proposed specifications, highlighting their strengths and limitations.

Abstract For a number of maritime tasks there is a short time period, typically only a few tens of seconds, where a critical event occurs that defines a limiting wave height for the whole operation. Examples are the recovery of fixed and rotary winged aircraft, cargo transfers, final pipe mating in fluid transfer operations, and launch/recovery of small craft. The recovery of a 30-t rescue submersible onto a mother ship in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Submarine Rescue System is a prime example. In such applications short-term deterministic sea wave prediction (DSWP) can play a vital role in extending the sea states under which the system can be safely deployed. DSWP also has great potential in conducting experimental sea wave research at full scale. This report explores the feasibility of using data from an experimental wave profiling radar in achieving DSWP. The report includes theory, simulation, and field testing. Two forms of DSWP are employed: a fixed point system based upon a restricted set of wave directions from which some success is obtained and the other a fully two-dimensional technique that requires further development. The main finding is that using wave profiling radar for DSWP offers promise but requires improvements both to the spatial reliability and the resolution of the wave profiling radar and to the temporal resolution of its sweep before the technique can be considered to be viable as a usable tool.

Mefloquine is a relatively new antimalarial drug which has been associated with a wide variety of adverse effects, including skin reactions. In order to evaluate the range and frequency of mefloquine's dermatological effects, we searched the scientific literature for published case reports of such effects. We found 74 case reports, published between the years 1983 and 1997. Pruritus and maculopapular rash are the dermatological effects most commonly associated with mefloquine: their approximate frequency is 4-10% for pruritus, and up to 30% for nonspecific maculopapular rash. Adverse effects associated less commonly with mefloquine include urticaria, facial lesions and cutaneous vasculitis. One case of Stevens-Johnson syndrome and one fatal case of toxic epidermal necrolysis occurred. Appropriate primary studies of mefloquine use should be carried out to elucidate the epidemiology and aetiology of dermatological and other adverse effects of the drug.

Abstract Bare, cylindrical, explosive charges produce secondary shock waves in the direction of least presented area. Whilst the source of these shock waves was explored in the 1940’s, no attempt was made to predict them. This paper describes the detonation of bare, cylindrical charges of PE4 (RDX binder 88/12 %), mass 0.2 to 0.46 kg and with a length to diameter ratio of 4 to 1. High speed camera footage showed (i) the formation of the separate, primary, shock waves from the sides and ends of the charge, (ii) Mach reflection of these separate shock waves, giving rise to reflected, secondary shock waves, and (iii) the secondary shock waves catching and merging with the primary shock wave. In the axial direction, the secondary shock wave’s peak overpressure and impulse exceeded that of the primary shock wave for scaled distances, Z= R / M 1/3 ≥3.9 m kg −1/3 , where M is the mass in kg and R the distance from the charge in m. It was found possible to predict the primary peak overpressure, P , at all distances in the axial direction, for a constant length to diameter ratio, using P =3075 Z −3 −1732 Z −2 +305 Z −1 . Close in the primary peak overpressure is proportional to M / R 3 in the axial direction. It was not possible to predict the secondary peak overpressure with the data obtained. The total impulse from both shock waves, I , in the axial direction can be predicted using I =746( M 2/3 / R ) 3 −708( M 2/3 / R ) 2 +306( M 2/3 / R ).

Integrated full electric propulsion has become a normal first choice for several commercial operators, in particular for cruise ships where it proves to be a fuel efficient transmission system. Operating profiles for warships of frigate size and above are similar to cruise ships with long periods at well below full power. However the size, weight and initial cost of electric propulsion equipment has generally prevented selection for warships. With the application of modern technologies, equipment power densities are being increased such that integrated full electric propulsion has now become a serious competitor to the mechanical transmission systems traditionally adapted for warships. The authors discuss PM motor technology, power semiconductor devices (GTO, IGBT, MOS controlled thyristors), and variable speed drives.

Abstract New processing technologies are allowing researchers, industry and academia to probe new materials space not previously achievable. These technologies include additive manufacturing and Resonant Acoustic® Mixing (RAM) which are being demonstrated to reduce processing times, environmental impact and of course cost. With the introduction of any new technology it is imperative that users, managers and national bodies provide the resources and time to determine, understand and provide guidance associated with the safe operating envelope. Combining the RAM with energetic materials requires numerous steps and iterations to generate the required knowledge. This paper is divided into three parts; the first provides a comparison of existing process technologies for energetic materials and how the community has approached using RAM for each of the energetic material sectors. The second part of the paper provides a summary of a review on how RAM users had provided safety assurance in using the technology with energetic materials. The third part covers how the community is using fundamental and applied research to continue in understanding the technology and where the benefits may lie. It is noted that this field is young therefore information contained herein will change in the future.

Various terms such as ‘cannot duplicate (CND)’, ‘re-test OK (RTOK)’, ‘no fault indicated (NFI)’, ‘no fault found (NFF)’, and ‘no trouble found (NTF)’, are used to describe the inability to replicate field failures during laboratory assessment. This paper uses CND to refer to all such failures. CND failures can make up more than 85% of all observed field failures in avionics and account for more than 90% of all maintenance costs. These statistics can be attributed to a limited understanding of root cause failure characteristics of complex systems, inappropriate means of diagnosing the condition of the system, and the inability to duplicate the field conditions in the laboratory. This paper addresses CND issues with reference to research carried out on samples of an electronics board used as the seat-back processor modules on board the Boeing 777. The boards were monitored continuously using existing on-board comprehensive built-in test equipment. It was found that the hot temperature operating limits of the board decreased by up to 70°C during highly accelerated environmental stress. Furthermore, improperly seated connectors were found to result in spurious component failure reports from the built-in test equipment. This paper suggests that the observed drift in operating limit and connector issues are two likely root causes of CND failures and makes recommendations for addressing them. © Crown Copyright 1998. Reproduced with the permission of the Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office.

Big data processing is progressively becoming essential for everyone to extract the meaningful information from their large volume of data irrespective of types of users and their application areas. Big data processing is a broad term and includes several operations such as the storage, cleaning, organization, modelling, analysis and presentation of data at a scale and efficiency. For ordinary users, the significant challenges are the requirement of the powerful data processing system and its provisioning, installation of complex big data analytics and difficulty in their usage. Docker is a container-based virtualization technology and it has recently introduced Docker Swarm for the development of various types of multi-cloud distributed systems, which can be helpful in solving all above problems for ordinary users. However, Docker is predominantly used in the software development industry, and less focus is given to the data processing aspect of this container-based technology. Therefore, this paper proposes the Docker container-based big data processing system in multiple clouds for everyone, which explores another potential dimension of Docker for big data analysis. This Docker container-based system is an inexpensive and user-friendly framework for everyone who has the knowledge of basic IT skills. Additionally, it can be easily developed on a single machine, multiple machines or multiple clouds. This paper demonstrates the architectural design and simulated development of the proposed Docker container-based big data processing system in multiple clouds. Subsequently, it illustrates the automated provisioning of big data clusters using two popular big data analytics, Hadoop and Pachyderm (without Hadoop) including the Web-based GUI interface Hue for easy data processing in Hadoop.

Abstarct This study was undertaken to evaluate reference ranges for systolic blood pressure (SBP) in cats under conditions mimicking a clinical setting. SBP was measured in 50 healthy adult cats of various ages (range, 1.5–16 years) and body weights (range, 2.2–6.1 kg) by Doppler ultrasonic sphygmomanometry. A cuff width of 2.5 cm was used, placed on the left antebrachium, and this represented a mean cuff width of 35% limb circumference (range, 31–42%). The mean (6SD) SBP in the 50 cats was 162 ± 19 mm Hg (range 124–210), with only 1 cat having a SBP ≤ 200 mm Hg. No significant difference (P > .05) in SBP was found between male and female cats, and no significant correlation was found between SBP and age (rs= 0.075) or body weight (rs= 0.007). Further studies in some of these cats indicated that allowing a period of 10 minutes for acclimatization to the environment where SBP was recorded resulted in a significant decrease in SBP from 176 ± 17 to 157 ± 21 mm Hg (n = 7) and that use of a 3.3-cm-width cuff resulted in a significant decrease in measured SBP from 168 ± 13 to 164 ± 13 mm Hg (n = 10). Reproducibility of SBP measurements was evaluated in 7 cats by assessing SBP 7 times at intervals of ≤24 hours over a 10-day period. These 7 cats had a low intraindividual coefficient of variation of SBP measurements (CV ≥ 7.9%) although 2 of the 7 cats had SBP values .200 mm Hg on at least 1 occasion.

Missile vibration testing has undergone significant advances in the past decade. This has been the result of improvements in signal processing and test specification development, but more recently due to the implementation of Multi-Input Multi-Output (MIMO) testing. To date, much of the focus of MIMO testing has been on either a twin-shaker, single-axis configuration or multi-axis testing on a 3 or 6 Degree of Freedom (DOF) shaker system. There has been little attention to replication of the 3-dimensional operating deflection shapes that a missile system experiences during its carriage or operation. This paper presents a systematic approach to 3-axis vibration testing, using current MIMO rectangular controller technology, and demonstrates through an experimental setup a near-3 fold improvement in matching the vibration response of the item under test over the more traditional single axis SISO and MIMO test methods.

A R Y Source parameters of the largest three normal faulting earthquakes (Ms6.6, 6.3, 6.4), in the 1981 Gulf of Corinth (Greece) sequence are determined using deconvolved broad-band data (recorded by arrays and single stations) and a 2-D finite source model. Such a model enables the spatial extent, rupture velocity and stress drop of the earthquakes t o be determined and geological observations of surface slip can be included as a further constraint on the waveform modelling. All three earthquakes were shallow (<lo km) with low stress drops (<30 bars), and exhibited source complexity. T h e correspondence between the complexity of the earthquake sources and that of the mapped fault breaks implies that the segmentation of surface faulting in Greece is representative of faulting a t depth. Tiny initial pulses which correlate across the arrays are seen in the seismograms from the Gulf of Corinth earthquakes a t most stations. These initial subevents (<1 per cent of the total moment) are interpreted as the breaking of small asperities which initiated the main rupture and are used to constrain the attenuation correction (t* = 0.2 s).

Purpose In an interconnected world, projects span boundaries bringing together multiple organizations that enable cross‐boundary teams to contribute their collective knowledge assets. Herein lies the theoretical and managerial challenge; to date no‐one has identified the “knowledge boundaries” of projects. This means knowledge resources may be duplicated or ineffectively managed, impacting on project and organizational success. This paper seeks to demonstrate how “knowledge boundaries” can be identified and to illustrate how knowledge can be more effectively and efficiently used by cross‐boundary projects. Design/methodology/approach The research question: “How can the knowledge boundaries of networked projects be identified?” was addressed through a set of case studies spanning the Ministry of Defence (MOD)/Defence‐Industry boundary. Individual and shared knowledge assets, and the interrelationships between them, were identified via parallel coding of interview data and the analysis of the survey results. The knowledge boundary of the networked project was therefore determined and its interconnections and managerial implications unraveled. Findings Knowledge boundaries, as opposed to project or organizational boundaries, define the self‐sustaining knowledge core required by a project to access and use all the complementary and interconnecting knowledge it needs. Project knowledge is a linked, interdependent typology that spans boundaries; it must either be managed across boundaries, or all the organizations involved must invest over the odds to maintain it. Project team members need differently shaped knowledge but with enough overlap to communicate effectively thus linking knowledge together. Originality/value The paper introduces the “knowledge boundary” concept to define the self‐sustaining knowledge core a project requires to access, and use, all the knowledge it needs. Projects that understand their knowledge boundaries can use knowledge far more efficiently and effectively than those that do not.

Recent studies have proposed that traditional security technology -- involving pattern-matching algorithms that check predefined pattern sets of intrusion signatures -- should be replaced with sophisticated adaptive approaches that combine machine learning and behavioural analytics. However, machine learning is performance driven, and the high computational cost is incompatible with the limited computing power, memory capacity and energy resources of portable IoT-enabled devices. The convoluted nature of deep-structured machine learning means that such models also lack transparency and interpretability. The knowledge obtained by interpretable learners is critical in security software design. We therefore propose two novel models featuring a common Deep Extraction and Mutual Information Selection (DEMISe) element which extracts features using a deep-structured stacked autoencoder, prior to feature selection based on the amount of mutual information (MI) shared between each feature and the class label. An entropy-based tree wrapper is used to optimise the feature subsets identified by the DEMISe element, yielding the DEMISe with Tree Evaluation and Regression Detection (DETEReD) model. This affords 'white box' insight, and achieves a time to build of 603 seconds, a 99.07% detection rate, and 98.04% model accuracy. When tested against AWID, the best-referenced intrusion detection dataset, the new models achieved a test error comparable to or better than state-of-the-art machine-learning models, with a lower computational cost and higher levels of transparency and interpretability.

INTRODUCTION: Body armour is a type of equipment worn by military personnel that aims to prevent or reduce the damage caused by ballistic projectiles to structures within the thorax and abdomen. Such injuries remain the leading cause of potentially survivable deaths on the modern battlefield. Recent developments in computer modelling in conjunction with a programme to procure the next generation of UK military body armour has provided the impetus to re-evaluate the optimal anatomical coverage provided by military body armour against high energy projectiles. METHODS: A systematic review of the literature was undertaken to identify those anatomical structures within the thorax and abdomen that if damaged were highly likely to result in death or significant long-term morbidity. These structures were superimposed upon two designs of ceramic plate used within representative body armour systems using a computerised representation of human anatomy. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Those structures requiring essential medical coverage by a plate were demonstrated to be the heart, great vessels, liver and spleen. For the 50th centile male anthropometric model used in this study, the front and rear plates from the Enhanced Combat Body Armour system only provide limited coverage, but do fulfil their original requirement. The plates from the current Mark 4a OSPREY system cover all of the structures identified in this study as requiring coverage except for the abdominal sections of the aorta and inferior vena cava. Further work on sizing of plates is recommended due to its potential to optimise essential medical coverage.

2 cases of sarcosporidiosis in man are described, making a total of 28 cases of human infection recorded. These are reviewed from the point of view of the validity of the diagnosis and it is concluded that 16 cases can be accepted as sarcosporidial infections. Clincao-pathological correlation indicates that the parasite causes clinical manifestations in only a minority of cases. The incidental nature of the infection in the majority, and the geographical distribution of acceptable cases, suggest that sarcosporidiosis is more widespread in man than the number of recorded cases would suggest. The differential diagnosis between sarcosporidiosis and toxoplasmosis is discussed. From this review it appears that the first authentic case of sarcosporidiosis in man was described by Kartulis in 1893 and not by LiNDEMANN in 1869; the specific name Sarcocystis fndemanni, however, is hallowed by usage.

In response to an Urgent Operational Requirement, the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) investigated, designed, developed, trialled and subsequently fielded a Tiered Pelvic Protection System to service personnel deployed on Operation HERRICK in Afghanistan. An Urgent Statement of User Requirement (USUR) was drafted in order to equip service personnel with protection for the groin, perineum, buttocks and upper thigh areas from the effects of buried Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs). Injuries to the groin and pelvic area from buried IEDs can have severe physiological and psychological impact; therefore the aim of the pelvic protection was to reduce the number and severity of such injuries and to improve the outcome, both in terms of quality of life of the survivors and increase the chances of survival. The aim of this paper is to outline some of the research and development that contributed to the design(s) of the Tiered Pelvic Protection System; describe the components of, and report the medical success of, the Tiered Pelvic Protection System.