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.

System-of-Systems Enterprise CONOPS Assessment Decision Support Tools

Abstract: This chapter discusses the implementation of System-of-Systems Enterprise Architecture (SOSEA) CONOPS assessment framework and models in Matlab, and presents preliminary results concerning SOSEA resiliency in the presence of a notional Radio Frequency Interference (RFI) scenario. The chapter provides an overview of the SOSEA CONOPS Assessment Framework, and discusses related SOS Resiliency Models including Resilient Assessment Index Against RFI (RAI-RFI), Spectrum Resiliency Assessment Index (SRAI), and Resilient Capacity (RC).

An energy-autonomous UAV swarm concept to support sea-rescue and maritime patrol missions in the Mediterranean sea

Abstract: For the crews and assets of the European Union’s (EU’s) Joint Operations available today, but a vast area in the Mediterranean Sea to monitor, detection of small boats and rafts in distress can take up to several days or even fail at all. This study aims to outline how an energy-autonomous swarm of Unmanned Aerial System can help to increase the monitored sea area while minimizing human resource demand.,A concept for an unattended swarm of solar powered, unmanned hydroplanes is proposed. A swarm operations concept, vehicle conceptual design and an initial vehicle sizing method is derived. A microscopic, multi-agent-based simulation model is developed. System characteristics and surveillance performance is investigated in this delimited environment number of vehicles scale. Parameter variations in insolation, overcast and system design are used to predict system characteristics. The results are finally used for a scale-up study on a macroscopic level.,Miniaturization of subsystems is found to be essential for energy balance, whereas power consumption of subsystems is identified to define minimum vehicle size. Seasonal variations of solar insolation are observed to dominate the available energy budget. Thus, swarm density and activity adaption to solar energy supply is found to be a key element to maintain continuous aerial surveillance.,This research was conducted extra-occupationally. Resources were limited to the available range of literature, computational power number and time budget.,A proposal for a probable concept of operations, as well as vehicle preliminary design for an unmanned energy-autonomous, multi-vehicle system for maritime surveillance tasks, are presented and discussed. Indications on path planning, communication link and vehicle interaction scheme selection are given. Vehicle design drivers are identified and optimization of parameters with significant impact on the swarm system is shown.,The proposed system can help to accelerate the detection of ships in distress, increasing the effectiveness of life-saving rescue missions.,For continuous surveillance of expanded mission theatres by small-sized vehicles of limited endurance, a novel, collaborative swarming approach applying in situ resource utilization is explored.

Heating Up the Argument -- A Look at Friction and the Soundness of the Rapid Decisive Operations (RDO) Concept

Abstract: : One goal of the United States (US) is a capabilities-based joint force designed to quickly achieve success along the continuum of conflict ranging from peace operations to war. In support of this goal, US Joint Forces Command (JFCOM) authors crafted an integrated Joint Operational War-fighting (JOW) on 15 August 2002. This concept based upon emerging "Effects-Based Operations" (EBO) and Rapid Decisive Operations" (RDO) concepts. The JOW concept desires a quick and decisive solution, one in which the enemy submits to a rapid strike of superior joint force against critical nodes of an opponent. This concept of using overwhelming power to be decisive is not new-it reflects our US military culture. Consequently, the question to ask is "what is different?" One thing that is different about the emerging RDO concept is the growing belief and acceptance that enhancements in information technology will enable joint planners to rapidly assess and rapidly adapt plans to correspond to changing situations. As a result, the JOW concept suggests that commanders and staffs at the operational level can quickly gain situational awareness and thus develop solutions to operational problems faster than the enemy thus rendering the enemy's actions more predictable and easier to counter. Is this working hypothesis valid? Will decisions for employment of combat power based on more information, quickly shared among more services and agencies enable the US military to rapidly and decisively defeat its opponent? This monograph examined the soundness of RDO concept for full spectrum operations at the operational level of war. Using "friction" as an overarching evaluation criterion, this paper first determined that the concept's definition is imprecise and can create contusion. Second, it determined the concept's suitability for full-spectrum operations is suspect.

The operational concept as a communications system engineering tool

Abstract: The battle force level information exchange architecture, which includes the tactical communications suite, identifies many of the challenges that drive the new warfare system architecture and engineering initiative. The evolving architecture and functional allocations give new emphasis to the role of tactical communications in support of the various warfare areas. The information transfer system (ITS) as described in this architecture provides a new perspective from which user requirements can be better defined. However, there remains a need for further quantification of communications requirements and of user concurrence. In the exchange involving the provider's question, “What do you need?” and the user's response, “What do you have?”, the dialogue that follows often results in major operational requirement disconnects. These disconnects are driven by diverse provider/user perceptions of the relevant development time frames and often obscure future operational concepts. Part of this disparity is directly attributable to the factors of interoperability, forward and backward compatibility and joint program aspects that characterize the communications system development process. With an agreed ITS architecture and well-structured system engineering process, the missing ingredient in the user/provider dialogue is the concept of operations. A properly structured and coordinated concept placed in the future threat environment, reflecting future tactics and incorporating available technology can do much to improve the definition and understanding of operational requirements. This is particularly true in the continually changing arena of tactical communications systems.

A Concept of Operations for a New Deep-Diving Submarine: Executive Summary

Abstract: By 2012, the U.S. Navy's deep-diving research submarine's reactor will be exhausted, making it necessary to refuel the reactor or replace the submarine. If the Navy opts for a new submarine, what would be its vital missions and what would it need to perform them? This executive summary of MR-1395 encapsulates the authors' work with scientists, defense experts, and the Navy to develop a concept of operation for a new platform, analyzing which missions should have the highest priority. They conclude with a list of highest-priority missions and two design concepts best able to achieve them.