Concept of operations

About: Concept of operations is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 964 publications have been published within this topic receiving 6845 citations. The topic is also known as: CONOPS.

Realizing UAVs' Transformational Potential: The Emerging Technology Agenda

Abstract: During Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom, unmanned air vehicles (UAVs) achieved threshold confirmation of their extraordinary suitability for enabling transformational warfare. In these campaigns, US forces faced many of the operational challenges prompting US military transformation, and fought in a manner consistent with service concepts of operation (CONOPs) developed to counter them. However, future military campaigns will likely be waged in far more difficult conditions. Northrop Grumman is focused on developing the broad portfolio of military capabilities required to support transformational CONOPs in the highly stressing projected operational environments of the future. The key is the development of a system of interoperable systems possessing certain essential attributes. Within the aerospace domain, UAVs consistently score higher than manned systems across this set of transformational attributes. Accordingly, we believe that if new CONOPs are to be successfully implemented, UAVs must be brought to the operational fore in multiple core capability areas. The pace at which UAV potential is realized will be set in significant measure by industry’s ability to achieve technological progress in three vital areas: command and control, interoperability and communications. Progress in these three areas will hinge on effective utilization of distributed Modeling, Simulation and Analysis networks. While the integration of manned and unmanned systems in the future battlefield is an important issue, it is not a “show stopper,” and should not be allowed to hobble the expansion of UAV roles, missions, and force structure.

Advanced airborne military communications architectures enabled by commercial broadband satellite communications

Abstract: The advent of commercial broadband satellite communications systems and services for in-flight civil aircraft provides the opportunity to enable advanced military communications architectures sooner than government-planned systems and associated bandwidth will be available. Application of these commercial systems/services to MILSATCOM architectures and concept of operations is discussed herein. These newly evolving satcom technologies for commercial aviation applications provide national and international governmental departments additional options to supplement supporting ever-expanding requirements in the rapidly changing "information age". The need to "keep up" with technology, which has life cycles of 12 to 18 months, versus the fielding of major new MILSATCOM infrastructure with life cycles of 10 - 25 years, leaves governments at tremendous shortfall in capability versus demand. Even with new programs fielded, the exponential growth of bandwidth requirements, as exemplified by the Internet, points to the need to supplement non-mission critical communications to other than high demand, mission critical government unique MILSATCOM assets. These new commercial broadband SATCOM systems and services offer the chance to "bridge the gap" between existing capabilities and future government programs while providing valuable operational experience that can be applied to those future programs. Moreover, the commercial broadband SATCOM systems/services can enable new communications architectures that help meet the "network centric warfare", global information grid connectivity, and real-time data requirements that exist today.

7.1.3 System Engineering Applied to Concept Design Optimization of Subsea Coolers

Abstract: Subsea equipment must continuously evolve to meet the challenging conditions of the deep underwater environments. The optimization of coolers is a continuous process needed to remain competitive in this technology domain. This paper reports on the results of a project to study concept design optimization for the anti-surge cooler intended for a subsea compression station. The project followed the Aker Solutions project execution model, which begins with the creation of a concept of operations used to establish measures of performance, in addition to a valid requirements capture. The systems approach ensured that stakeholder needs were met, while identifying and refining parameters for the design. The refinement process, which resulted in a handful of design concepts, was evaluated through application of the AHP (Analytical Hierarchy Process) Decision Modeling Tool. With this tool, the researcher arrived to a design concept recommendation, validated by stakeholders and sensitivity analysis.

Medical Command and Control in Sea-Based Operations

Abstract: : Medical support of the sick and wounded is a complicated, resource intensive, and vital aspect of any over-the-horizon operation. It needs to be considered as a major subordinate command element just as the Ground Combat Element, the Air Combat Element and the Combat Service Support Element are. During World War II it took the Navy and Marine Corps years to confirm and refine their prewar doctrine for amphibious attack. The labor began with the first U.S. landings at Guadalcanal in August 1942; the resulting doctrine, organization, tactics, and techniques were subsequently used by the Army in Europe. Early operations in both theaters highlighted the enormous difficulties associated with essential medical elements, and it was not until late 1944, perhaps 1945, that these problems were adequately solved. During future major expeditionary operations, will it take that long for a latent functionally effective medical support system to evolve? Will medical support of the anticipated "sea base" concept of operations, for example, be obligated to recapitulate the same sad evolution of repetitive mistakes committed during prior conflicts over the past century? It is imperative that those who bear responsibility for ensuring that prompt and competent care is provided to the combat injured examine the lessons emerging from historical precedent. Likewise, it would be reasonable to consider the "revolutionary" concept of establishing a "medical command and control element" in joint expeditionary operations, to obviate the often-validated reality that those who choose to ignore the lessons of history are destined to repeat them.

Strategies for Sustaining Soldier and Unit Performance in Continuous Operations.

Abstract: : This paper, submitted in a special study of Army conduct of continuous operations (CONOPS), contains a detailed list of human factors principles and recommendations for sustaining performance of soldiers in CONOPS and include coverage of topics like: training and preparation for CONOPS; sleep scheduling, recovery sleep concepts, work/rest scheduling, naps and sleep discipline, sleep-inducing drugs for use in long range deployments, alertness sustaining drugs for use in CONOPS, lightening the soldier's load, nutrition, and physical fitness for military tasks.