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.

Informing business strategy through extension of the multi-organisational service network concept of operations approach

Abstract: Concept of Operations (ConOps) terminology has been used in many operational contexts where multiple equipment and service providers operate in a shared environment. The approach has previously been applied, predominantly from a multi-organisational network/inter-firm perspective, in the design and operation of product-service systems. This paper looks to extend the ConOps approach to an overall business strategy context, by examining the strategic intent of intra-firm networks. Focus specifically centres on general drivers and characteristics, how they may be influenced by internal and external factors and the subsequent effect on network configuration and capabilities.

Challenges and operational concept development of 4DTBO in China

Abstract: As one of the important modules of ICAO's Aviation System Block Upgrades (ASBU), 4D Trajectory Based Operation (4DTBO) has been recognized as a strategic approach to modernize the Air Traffic Management (ATM) system environmentally with improved flight safety and efficiency. Programs such as FAA's Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen) and Eurocontrol's Single European Sky ATM Research (SESAR), leading the ATM modernizations in both the US and Europe, are conducting a series of research and demonstration projects on 4DTBO Concept of Operations (ConOps) with promising results.

When You Have More Satellites than People: The Evolution of CYGNSS Flight Operations

Abstract: The flight operations of the Cyclone Global Navigation Satellite System (CYGNSS), a constellation of eight microsatellites built and operated by Southwest Research Institute (SwRI), designed to improve the intensity forecasts of Tropical Cyclones, has seen a litany of changes to its concept of operations, software, processes, and personnel. In this paper, we detail how the operations team responded to several challenges such as the reduction in personnel after the Launch and Early Orbit Operations phase, the addition of a downlink antenna in Japan, high-fidelity collection requests during the unusually active 2017 Atlantic hurricane season, and the increased demands of team members from other projects. These pressures forced the CYGNSS operations team to innovate their way to efficient operations. These innovations were enabled by embracing modern open-source tools such as Django, Bokeh, Git, the various libraries available in the Python programming language, and the capabilities that come with all of our operations engineers being competent in software development. The CYGNSS team took the approach of automating the most time-intensive tasks first, which freed up time to carefully design and test more elaborate automation solutions. We utilized the spirit of the Agile Methodology to make incremental improvements to our software suite which further enabled more sophisticated automation. Finally, we chart a path forward to fully closing the automation loop between our mission planning, and real-time Command and Control.

Wake-Sleep Cycle Management during SUSOPS and CONOPS in French Military Forces: Policy and Ethics

Abstract: : The consequences of sleep deprivation and of wake-sleep cycle alterations have been studied since more than 25 years in military domain. Nevertheless this point of view has only recently been taken into account by the French different headquarters. That is why the French Military Health Service has progressively built a real policy for managing the wake-sleep cycle during SUSOPS and CONOPS. This policy has two main aspects, with an educational and a pharmacological part. The consequences of sleep deprivation, and irregular sleep-wake cycle on physical and cognitive performances during SUSOPS and CONOPS have been studied extensively. Now, the different types of countermeasures are quite well defined. A policy to manage these aspects on operational field is under development in France with two distinct aspects on based on health education and on pharmacology. The educational policy is based on knowledge delivered to our forces by the mean of an interactive CD-ROM. The first version, called CYCL'OPS(trademark), has been developed by ADSENSIO for the pilots of the French Air force. Its goal is to improve individual knowledge in this domain and to show the risk of sleepiness at the throttle according to the timing of the mission taking into account individual parameters. It may allow a better individual management of sleep-wake cycle every day. Other versions are under project for the Navy, and the Army. A light pharmacological aid is now officially approved by the French Health Service in operational field when the missions do not allow nocturnal sleep or only offer reduced possibility of sleep. Modafinil is reserved for emergency cases. It may help valid subjects to stay awake in hostile environments until the SAR means take them in charge. On the contrary, Slow-release caffeine may be used in prolonged missions (CONOPS) to fight against sleepiness for 48 hours. Finally, Z-hypnotics are also allowed to promote pre-planned sleep episodes.

Operationalizing and Integrating Space: Bridging the Cultural Barriers

Abstract: : This paper examines the evolution of space support and how space support has contributed to the operationalization and integration of space systems into warfighting roles, specifically at the tactical level of operations. The paper also demonstrates that the cultural mindset of the Air Force is shaped by our association with weapon systems (self serving elitism) and not with the mission. These cultural mindsets or barriers influence the Air Force's capability to integrate new missions to support the Air Force vision. The thesis of this paper contends that failure on the part of the Air Force to recognize and exploit the critical capabilities space provides to warfighting is driven by cultural barriers. These cultural barriers inhibit the Air Force's efforts to fully operationalize and integrate space into theater-level operations. To defend this argument, this paper will define and analyze space contributions to theater-level operations by examining the AFSST concept of operations and successes and failures experienced during its evolution since Operation Desert Storm. The thesis will deal with two fundamental arguments. First, the most successful attempts at integrating and operationalizing space are making them organic within the theater-levels (i.e. permanent space personnel expertise and equipment located in theater with the NAFs and MAJCOMs). This will be illustrated by examining one of the most fundamental operational aspects of space; the AFSST. Secondly, this paper will demonstrate that failure to fully integrate space support was the result of many failed methodologies the Air Force implemented to help bridge some of the cultural barriers.