Volume 28 (2022): Issue 3 (June 2022)

Hybrid warfare as a new form of politico-military aggression, brings to the fore a complex of conventional and unconventional civil and military actions and operations designed to attack all components of the aggressed state. An appropriate response to the challenges posed by this new type of conflict involves a comprehensive approach, integrating both civilian and military instruments. However, military structures retain a particularly important role in achieving the objectives of the campaign, they possess those capabilities relevant to stabilizing the security environment as well as post-conflict reconstruction. The military engineer support, an important component of any joint military operation, contributes, beyond the fulfillment of missions / tasks in the field, mobility, countermobility, survivability or general support of the assembled military force, to the return to normalcy of the affected society of a conflict. Viewed from this perspective, it can be said that the military engineer support acquires a multidimensional character, which mainly refers to the security, economic, social and educational dimensions.

Many operational research optimization models, such as linear programming, assume that the data used to build a model is accurate, but in the real world most of these assumptions are only approximately true. In linear programming models, uncertainty is associated with the model coefficients during the formulation stage. A small number of papers discuss these models of linear programming with interval coefficients (LPIC). Using the method presented in paper [1], capable of solving linear programming problems with numerical intervals as intervals, we give in this paper a practical example, to demonstrate the use and the practicality of interval coefficients in linear programming models.

The fulfillment of the obligations provided by the legislation in force regarding the minimization of risks specific to industrial sites for the storage of explosive materials is a desideratum assumed by the management at the highest level. To this end, the paper aims to provide a brief description of the algorithm for assessing the risk of explosion and establishing the optimal solutions to minimize it, starting from the analysis of concrete situations in few locations from Romania.

This paper presents a methodology for the analysis, assessment and classification of explosive hazards in the case of landfills, including the quantification of possible effects on neighborhoods and on human health and the environment.

For n-th order linear differential equations with constant coefficients the problem of determining the general solution involves determining the general solution of the attached homogeneous equation and, on the other hand, determining a particular solution. This paper aims to analyze the conditions under which the general solution can be obtained for a n-th order linear differential equation with constant coefficients which have the free term in the following form P(x)^. ln x under the condition that the attached characteristic equation has real and distinct roots, meaning the order of multiplicity for each root is 1. For this we will use the method of variation of constants which leads us to a system whose solution we will gain by using the Upper incomplete Gamma function.

For n-th order linear differential equations with constant coefficients the problem of determining the general solution involves determining the general solution of the attached homogeneous equation and, on the other hand, determining a particular solution. This paper aims to analyze the conditions under which the general solution can be obtained for a n-th order linear differential equation with constant coefficients which have the free term in the following form P(x)^. ln xunder the condition that the attached characteristic equation hassingle real root of order of multiplicity n. For this we will use the method of variation of constants which leads us to a system whose solution we will gain using the Upper incomplete Gamma function.

HILP (High Impact, Low Probability) occurrences include CBRNE incidents (induced by terrorist acts or accidents). Nevertheless, since the probability of encountering chemical warfare threats increased in the actual global context, this work aims to highlight the most recent results obtained for the neutralization and removal of chemical warfare agents, by employing various types of nanoparticles and decontamination solutions. The performances of the decontamination solutions were evaluated by using GC-MS technique, which allows the quantification of the initial concentration of toxic agent, as well as the concentration of the remnant toxic agent, measured at various time intervals, until decontamination process was completed.

This paper presents a literature review and perspectives regarding the utilization of Mecanum wheels as running systems for platforms and robots designed for diverse special applications. A mobile platform equipped with four or more Mecanum wheels has the capability of moving with fast reactions in any direction without needing a special steering system having so the property of being omnidirectional. Therefore, one of the greatest advantages of such vehicles is to be highly maneuverable which makes them suitable fortight environments such as industrial plants or warehouses where they are usually implemented as autonomous guided vehicles. However, the utilization of Mecanum wheels as part of running systems for different types of platforms is and will be more and more applicable for special applications in domains such as military, medical, civil engineering, or even space exploration. This paper aims to highlight the applicability of Mecanum wheels in special domains based on the advantages and disadvantages of such running systems.

The present research focuses on the characterisation of a new formulation for thermal decoy pyrotechnic composition, as an alternative to magnesium-teflon-viton (MTV) formulations. The oxidant used in the composition is potassium perchlorate, given its good thermal stability and high percentage of available oxygen. The fuel of choice is magnalium (alloy of Al-Mg 50-50 % wt.), as an higher energy alternative to magnesium. The binder used in the composition is a blend of solvent free polyurethane and a chlorinated rubber. The main advantages of this composition are related to the high thermal stability, the ease of processing, by squeeze casting method and its good combustion performance (temperature and burn rate profile). The use of chlorinated rubber in the composition is beneficial, as a sensible increase in the burn rate and combustion temperature is observed. The morphological properties and chemical composition of the material is evidenced by SEM-EDS analysis while the burn rate and combustion temperature is recorded with a high speed thermal camera. The combustion heat and specific volume is calculated with a dedicated thermochemical code while the results are validated in experimental determinations. The presented formulation can represent a more safe and cost effective material to be used in thermal countermeasure ammunitions.

A simple model of 1x4 linear array of microstrip antennas was used to analyse the influence of phase difference between antenna elements on the performance of beamforming at 8.9 GHz. Simulations with full wave CST Studio were performed over a number of phase sets. Among them we identified the most constructive and the most destructive cases based on the maximum gain, the total efficiency and the polarization. It resulted that [0;0;0;0] phase case provided 10.6 dB higher gain, 46.5% higher efficiency and much more spatial uniformity of polarization along the propagation path than the [0;180;0;180] case. Field strength computations and vector representations proved the complexity of beamforming when one also takes into account the mutual coupling of the elements.

The authors of this scientific paper would like to highlight some didactic-applied contributions regarding the design and the programming of an MB-UGV-1 robotic technological tracked product intended for engineering missions. The following aspects are highlighted: the presentation of the main organological elements from the mechanical structure of the tracked mini-robot, aspects regarding the command and programming elements of the technological product, the advantages and the disadvantages it has. The originality of this paper consists in the following elements: the manner of assembling the organological elements on the mechanical structure of the product, the writing of a program specific to and necessary for the mobility of each degree of freedom associated with the mechanism generating trajectories, the possibility of implementing the mini-robot in didactical applications.

This paper presents some of our results regarding calculus of the functionally graded plates (FGPs). Such plates are made of Functionally Graded Materials (FGMs), which represent a new material class belonging to the composite materials. Our paper presents some material laws in a comparative way. But the main purpose of this paper is to provide calculus concepts and calculus methodologies, based on the means available in scientific research of mechanical engineering field, for the calculation of plates made of FGMs. Thus, the authors use the concepts of multilayer plate and equivalent plate, using both analytical and numerical calculus. The numerical method used are the Finite Element Method (FEM).The calculation aims both to determine the displacements and the stresses of the plates under statical loads, as well as to determine the free vibration frequencies. The research methodology is based on combining analytical calculation, where and when possible, with numerical simulation. The validation of our results is done by comparison with the analytical solution and the comparative analysis of the methods.

This article presents a practical approach towards the use of reflectors for Wi-Fi antennas. First, a custom Wi-Fi antenna was simulated in CST Studio software. Using simulation, we have analysed the effects of several types of reflectors on the antenna parameters. The most effective solution (antenna plus corner reflector) was manufactured and mounted on the specially designed ensemble. The designed ensemble enables automatic rotation of the reflector around the antenna. Simulation results were finally confronted with experimental measurements to validate the data. Our findings show that the presence of the reflector significantly increases the gain in the main radiation lobe and several other radiating directions.

Since the addition of chemical warfare agents (CWAs) in the World War I, there has been a constant demand for the development of rapid and accurate analytical instruments for detecting and identifying these agents. The most common techniques used in CWAs determination are spectroscopic and chromatographic techniques. Although they possess remarkable robustness, they require prolonged analysis time, experienced personnel, expensive instrumentation and are not fit for on-field applications and fast early alert. Fortunately, electrochemical sensors represent a viable alternative due to their, simple instrumentation, high sensitivity and low cost. The aim of this article is to highlight some important aspects of electrochemical sensing and to present some electrochemical sensors developed for CWAs detection. The future perspectives and challenges in electrochemical sensor development for CWAs detection is also discussed.

In this article, we present the implementation of a Software Defined Radio (SDR) remote sensor management solution for electromagnetic spectrum monitoring using web interfaces. The proposed sensor is developed on an SDR platform - USRP-2932 with LTE standard specific signal monitoring capabilities. Two solutions have been implemented for remote control and visualization of the sensor parameters: by using VNC (Virtual Network Computing) software for full remote access and by implementing in GNU Radio the Bokeh python library, which allows visualization of graphs and charts directly through a web GUI. For accessing the sensor via the backbone network of an Internet Service Provider (ISP), in both cases a Virtual Private Network (VPN) was set up using the Point-to-Point Tunnelling Protocol (PPTP) solution.

In this article, we present the design, implementation, and testing of a virtual reality-based training solution for military personnel. The aim of using virtual reality instead of traditional training processes is to simulate battlefield conditions as realistically as possible and to save financial resources that could be directed to other educational processes. The system was implemented using the Virtual Battlespace 4 (VBS4) virtual simulation software application, interconnected with Virtual Reality Headset and Controllers, to provide an enhanced simulation training experience. A wireless network has also been set up and tested for increased flexibility and quick setup during multiplayer simulation.

The emergence and evolution of modern learning theories and artificial intelligence technologies have left their mark on education of all levels, but also on other areas of activity, thus facilitating the work of people able to operate with them. Speaking especially of the field of higher education, we can appreciate that this field has been “invaded” by intelligent technologies, generating an increase in the offer of courses, a higher number of students and “recognizing distance learning as an educational model ˮ. We shall further present some of the theories of modern learning, as well as the role of smart technologies recommended for use in modern education.