Kent Andersson

Bio: Kent Andersson is an academic researcher from Swedish National Defence College. The author has contributed to research in topic(s): Military technology & Military capability. The author has an hindex of 4, co-authored 15 publication(s) receiving 53 citation(s). Previous affiliations of Kent Andersson include National Defence University, Pakistan & National Defence University.

Military utility : A proposed concept to support decision-making

Abstract: A concept called Military Utility is proposed for the study of the use of technology in military operations. The proposed concept includes a three-level structure representing key features and their detailed components. On basic level the Military Utility of a technical system, to a military actor, in a specific context, is a compound measure of the military effectiveness, of the assessed technical system's suitability to the military capability system and of the affordability. The concept is derived through conceptual analysis and is based on related concepts used in social sciences, the military domain and Systems Engineering. It is argued that the concept has qualitative explanatory powers and can support military decision-making regarding technology in forecasts, defense planning, development, utilization and the lessons learned process. The suggested concept is expected to contribute to the development of the science of Military-Technology and to be found useful to actors related to defense.

A review of materials for spectral design coatings in signature management applications

Abstract: The current focus in Swedish policy towards national security and high-end technical systems, together with a rapid development in multispectral sensor technology, adds to the utility of developing ...

Balancing the radar and long wavelength infrared signature properties in concept analysis of combat aircraft – A proof of concept

Abstract: Designing combat aircraft with high military effectiveness, affordability and military suitability requires balancing the efforts of many engineering disciplines during all phases of the developmen ...

Modeling the impact of surface emissivity on the military utility of attack aircraft

Abstract: An analysis scheme and a mission system model were applied to the evaluation of the military utility of efforts to reduce infrared signature in the conceptual design of survivable aircraft. The purpose is twofold: Firstly, to contribute to the development of a methodological framework for assessing the military utility of spectral design, and secondly to assess the threat from advances in LWIR sensors and their use in surface-to-air-missile systems. The modeling was specifically applied to the problem of linking the emissivity of aircraft coatings to mission accomplishment. The overall results indicate that the analysis scheme and mission system model applied are feasible for assessing the military utility of spectral design and for supporting decision-making in the concept phase. The analysis of different strike options suggests that LWIR sensors will enhance the military utility of low emissive paint, at least for missions executed in clear weather conditions. Furthermore, results corroborate and further clarify the importance of including earthshine when modeling.

Technology Forecast 2017 - Military Utility of Future Technologies : A Report from Seminars at the Swedish Defence University’s (SEDU) Military-Technology Division

Abstract: Three technology forecast reports from the Fraunhofer Institute and four reports on literature studies (sometimes called scanning reports) from the Swedish Defence Research Institute (FOI) have bee

Photonic crystals

Abstract: The term photonic crystals appears because of the analogy between electron waves in crystals and the light waves in artificial periodic dielectric structures. During the recent years the investigation of one-, two-and three-dimensional periodic structures has attracted a widespread attention of the world optics community because of great potentiality of such structures in advanced applied optical fields. The interest in periodic structures has been stimulated by the fast development of semiconductor technology that now allows the fabrication of artificial structures, whose period is comparable with the wavelength of light in the visible and infrared ranges.

A Transparent Strain Sensor Based on PDMS-Embedded Conductive Fabric for Wearable Sensing Applications

Abstract: In this paper, we present a new approach to realize flexible transparent strain sensors. It combines the use of transparent conductive fabric with polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) through a simple and straightforward layer-by-layer assembly process. The conductive fabric is used to realize the transparent electrodes while the PDMS is utilized as both the substrate and encapsulation layers. As a concept demonstration, an interdigital capacitive sensor is designed and fabricated using the proposed approach. The fabricated sensor is then characterized in terms of its transparency and electro-mechanical nature. This is followed by the application of the sensor in several physiological sensing scenarios, including the sensing of various body-part movements and tactile sensing. Apart from a high optical transparency (~70%), the sensor shows promising sensing results which validate the applicability of the proposed approach for realization of flexible and transparent strain sensors for wearable sensing applications.

Stretchable Cephalopod-Inspired Multimodal Camouflage Systems.

Abstract: Soft, mechanically deformable materials and systems that can, on demand, manipulate light propagation within both the visible and infrared (IR) regions of the electromagnetic spectrum are desirable for applications that include sensing, optoelectronics, robotics, energy conservation, and thermal management. However, the development of such technologies remains exceptionally difficult, with relatively few examples reported to date. Herein, this challenge is addressed by engineering cephalopod-inspired adaptive camouflage platforms with multispectral functionality. First, stretchable copolymer membranes that feature outstanding unstrained protonic conductivities of up to ≈90 mS cm-1 , demonstrate increases of ≈80% in their conductivities at strains of 200%, and exhibit no loss in electrical performance even under extreme elongations of 500% are described. Next, the membranes are used for the fabrication of mechanically and electrically actuated camouflage devices that function over an unprecedented spectral window; can simultaneously modulate their visible and IR specular-to-diffuse transmittance ratios by >3000-fold and >4-fold, respectively; feature rapid response times of ≈0.6 s; and exhibit good performance after repeated actuation. These findings may afford new scientific and technological opportunities not only for adaptive optics and photonics but also for any platform that can benefit from simultaneously controlling visible light and heat.