This research looks at the Critical Infrastructure (CI) network in Singapore from a systems perspective. It engages with the role of CI interdependencies, vulnerabilities, and terrorism trends for CI protection. Using Singapore as the analysis benchmark, this research aims to identify areas and sectors of CI that are the most vulnerable, through the use of causal loop diagrams, to recommend appropriate protection measures from the counterterrorism and CI protection perspectives. Using Rapoport’s Four Waves Theory on Terrorism to make assessments on future terrorism threats, and with several case studies on the most vulnerable CI sectors, including electricity, water, food, transport and government buildings, it was found that an all-round counterterrorism framework is needed for CI protection. The proposed counterterrorism framework for CI protection in Singapore consists of three main tenets – Political Emphasis on Counterterrorism, Social Cohesiveness and Robust CI Interdependencies. Focusing on each of these tenets, CI protection measures were recommended to tolerate, treat, transfer or terminate risks and tackle the vulnerabilities of CI. Understanding the protection of CI as a counterterrorism process allows for a reconceptualization of how CI protection matters and its effects against terrorism attacks.

This report explores the extension of the conventional “kill chain” in a counterintuitive manner. Utilizing lessons learned from the Systems Engineering Analysis Capstone Report (SEA-29) work in “Logistics in a Contested Environment,” the “kill chain” is re-defined backward from warhead detonation to “metal bending and metal delivery.” This process provides a more well-rounded examination of Department of Defense (DOD) efforts to maintain supply lines in a major conflict, specifically, those supply lines that provide key rare earth elements (REE) to DOD weapons contractors. Using linear programming and optimization, this report documents a design of three alternatives for the mining, refinement, and production of REEs. By defining a production equation around our Measures of Effectiveness and Performance (MOE/MOP), we maximized the weighted MOPs while minimizing damage to convoys. From the analysis of results, we found REE components produced remotely (OCONUS) and near CONUS had the best results while using medium and large convoys.

The report will document the approach taken to develop a framework to evaluate a system proposal from the viewpoint of the UK MOD’s Defence Lines of Development (DLoD), based on a proposed operating environment and scenario. The readers will be presented with a selection of system engineering tools, accompanied by the respective explanation of use. Based on the given scenario, a technical analysis will be carried out by the technology specialists to identify key areas (mobility, guided weapon and autonomous), which will then be used for trade-off analysis and decision-making by the system engineering specialists.

The output of the report will be a developed framework that is aimed at allowing readers and subsequent users of the framework to systematically evaluate any system proposals based on a set of defined scenarios, and user and system requirements, in the context environment.

This report examines the transport and delivery of logistics in contested environments within the context of great-power competition (GPC). Across the Department of Defense (DOD), it is believed that GPC will strain our current supply lines beyond their capacity to maintain required warfighting capability. Current DOD efforts are underway to determine an appropriate range of platforms, platform quantities, and delivery tactics to meet the projected logistics demand in future conflicts. This report explores the effectiveness of various platforms and delivery methods through analysis in developed survivability, circulation, and network optimization models. Among other factors, platforms are discriminated by their radar cross-section (RCS), noise level, speed, cargo capacity, and self-defense capability. To maximize supply delivered and minimize the cost of losses, the results of this analysis indicate preference for utilization of well-defended convoys on supply routes where bulk supply is appropriate and smaller, and widely dispersed assets on shorter, more contested routes with less demand. Sensitivity analysis on these results indicates system survivability can be improved by applying RCS and noise-reduction measures to logistics assets.

There is currently a lack of effective simulation tool to assist in the design of air defence system against aerial threat, such as Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV). Thus, the objective of this thesis is to address such threat by developing a simulation model that enables user to rapidly test different scenarios by considering variation in parameters for defensive assets and hostile intruder UAVs, probability of detection, probability of kill etc. 
To achieve this, this thesis adopted a 2-phase approach, namely System Design and System Verification. In the first phase, the different deployment strategies of the defensive assets against intruder UAV are simulated. The generated outcomes are recorded, and a feasible region is plotted to illustrate all the possible solutions that could achieve the desired outcome. Moving to the second phase, two probabilities, probability of detection and probability of kill, are introduced to the simulation model to reflect the practical performance of the assets. This is achieved via the use of statechart and programming in the simulation model. 
Depending on user requirement, the value for these probabilities can be readily varied and run the simulation model to verify the effectiveness on the deployment strategy of the defensive assets. 

Previously, it has been demonstrated how a chemiluminescence technique, also known as swept test, can be used to analyse the decomposition mechanism of nitrocellulose (NC) under the influence of moisture in varying temperatures. The open system experimental setup has provided a good starting point to explore how chemiluminescence technique can be effectively employed to analyse the decomposition rate of NC under varying conditions. Following which, the focus of this integrated project is to design, verify and validate the concept of a closed vessel system through a systematic approach.

Initially, a suite of systems engineering tools was applied to the problem context to understand the requirements of the closed vessel system. Through a systematic approach, the design of the closed vessel system was developed to address the requirements of the intended system. A series of tests was then conducted to verify the functional requirements of the system. During the process, several design and technical issues were identified and resolved. These include (1) gas leakage; (2) flow rate of carrier gas; and (3) sensitivity of analysing software.

Eventually, the effectiveness of the system was validated by analysing real NC sample that was incubated at 80°C overnight. In brief, this integrated project demonstrated how the project team utilised a systems approach to design, verify and validate a closed system vessel that could be effectively implemented to study the decomposition mechanism of NC in a closed environment.

The concept of Distributed Maritime Operations intends to enable a force that is capable of winning a fleet-on-fleet engagement through the integration of manned and unmanned systems, execution of deceptive tactics, and emboldening of units to conduct offensive strikes. This report contributes to the concept of DMO in the 2030-2035 timeframe through the development of an operational simulation that examines the ability for various compositions of multi-domain fleet assets to perform tactical operations in a naval combat environment. This project studies the impact of the friendly force employment of deception and tactics against an enemy force, and the resulting impact on the adversary’s ability to progress through the various stages of a kill chain. Through the development and analysis of a discrete event simulation, this research investigates the ability for naval forces in the air, surface, and electromagnetic warfare domains to contribute to DMO through the performance of tactical offensive operations and employment of deceptive tactics. The analysis resulted in two major findings. In terms of force composition, an increased number of missile carrying assets had the largest impact on operational effectiveness and survivability. Tactically, the utilization of electronic jamming, coupled with the utilization of unmanned deceptive swarms, provided a significant improvement in the survivability of friendly force assets as well as the attrition of enemy forces.

The ability to communicate and transmit targeting data via the electromagnetic spectrum is crucial to the Navy’s ability to fight. However, in recent years, potential adversaries have significantly advanced their electronic warfare capabilities, obtaining an ability to interfere with the Navy’s use of the electromagnetic spectrum during operations in contested environments.
SEA23 investigates concepts of operation focusing on future potential electromagnetic-spectrum warfighting capabilities in the 2025–2030 timeframe. Specifically, we explore these capabilities using modular unmanned and manned platforms capable of carrying communications and data suites to enable cross-domain targeting information in support of tactical offensive operations in a contested, denied, degraded, intermittent, and limited-bandwidth environment. This project focuses on developing a system-of-systems architecture and analyzing alternatives to provide potential solutions while developing the associated concepts of operation. We recommend an architecture based on Link 16 and organic rotary-wing unmanned aerial vehicles to transfer sensor to shooter data in demanding and contested environments.

SUMMARY

The project was initiated with a given set of Concept-Of-Operations (CONOPS) where System Engineering was applied to derive the requirements and establish a development process to ensure that the product fulfills the needs and constraints. Cross faculty integration facilitated the software expertise necessary for the development but was not inherent in the System Engineering faculty.

            The first quarter focused on the Preliminarily Design Review (PDR) where the requirements were derived and translated to functions which were subsequently decomposed to develop the system architecture. The PDR phase was completed with the allocation of components and identification of system interfaces. Thereafter, the project progressed into the Critical Design Review (CDR) phase where specifications on components were determined, trade studies of configuration items conducted and risk management were carried out. Finally, the System Readiness Review (SRR) phase was centered round the software algorithm development, system integration and seeking of air worthiness approval for the flight test.

            The Operation Test and Evaluation (OT&E) flight was conducted from 18 to 19 Aug at Camp Atterbury, IND. Details for all three phases were documented in the attached slides.

Technical Development

            The key technical challenge of the project was the development of an algorithm from open source software to detect a specific frequency in the electromagnetic spectrum (blue color light) from an image. Thereafter, the geo-coordinate of the light source was calculated by transposing the location of the target in the image footprint of the camera to the known coordinate of the UAV. The last phase of the algorithm is to set a new loiter point for the UAV, based on the calculated geo-coordinate and loop back to a new detection phase to facilitate tracking of a moving target.

            To facilitate system integration, algorithms were scripted in 3 different software languages for various functions in the architecture. These are MATLAB, MAVlink and OpenCV.

International Relationship

The project saw the successfully integration in term of personnel (USA – Singapore) and technical expertise (System Engineering – Electrical Engineering) to develop a SUAS and verify the system in a flight test.