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This specification covers a premium aircraft-quality steel in the form of bars, forgings, mechanical tubing, flash-welded rings up through 10.000 inches (254.00 mm), inclusive, in diameter or least distance between parallel sides, and stock of any size for forging or flash-welded rings.
AMS E Carbon and Low Alloy Steels Committee
AMS3970/6 Material Specification (MS) defines the requirements of carbon fiber plain weave fabric, 193 g/m2, reinforced epoxy structural prepreg for repair, curing under vacuum at 120 °C (250 °F), and a companion non-structural glass fiber fabric reinforced epoxy prepreg, 105 g/m2, used in repair of carbon fiber reinforced epoxy structures and qualified according to AMS3970/1 and AMS3970/2 for aerospace applications. The prepreg system may include an epoxy film adhesive to be applied in a co-curing process with the prepreg for joint and sandwich bonding. The need for a film adhesive shall be established during screening tests. If included, the requirements to be met by the adhesive are also defined in this document.
AMS CACRC Commercial Aircraft Composite Repair Committee
This paper presents a cooperative object tracking framework that enables robots to share object observations, improving world model accuracy and consistency in environments with occlusions. An open-source, MHT-based object tracking package was applied in conjunction with an inter-robot communication system developed to fuse object observations across multiple robots. Experimental results demonstrate greater than 1.4-fold improvements in tracking performance in cluttered, occluded environments compared to individual tracking.
Kennedy, WilliamAlton, Nicholas
Military ground vehicles are transitioning from manually operated platforms to highly automated systems, which fundamentally alters the cognitive demands placed on crew members. Rather than reducing workload, automation frequently redistributes it, introducing challenges associated with supervisory monitoring, autonomy mode calibration, and situational awareness. Augmented cognition (AugCog) offers a closed-loop framework in which real-time physiological and behavioral measures of operator cognitive state can be used to dynamically adapt system interfaces and autonomy levels. This paper reviews six nonintrusive sensor modalities suitable for military ground vehicle crew stations: remote photoplethysmography (rPPG), facial thermography, eye tracking and pupillometry, dry-electrode electroencephalography (EEG), Facial Action Coding System (FACS) action unit (AU) analysis, and elastic electrodermal activity (EDA) sensors. A conceptual multimodal crew station integration framework is proposed, and future research directions are outlined.
Mikulski, ChristopherRiegner, Kayla
Recent advancements in off-road autonomy have shown significant progress in perception, planning, and control frameworks, including end-to-end learning approaches. Comprehensive results have been demonstrated in both simulation and real-world experiments; however, there are significant challenges in critical cases that need further evaluation. One such challenge is the immobilization of autonomous ground vehicles (AGVs) in unstructured off-road environments, which can significantly impact agriculture, space exploration, military operations, and search and rescue missions. Addressing this problem requires recovery strategies that are context-sensitive, adaptable to terrain and vehicle conditions, and effective in integrating multimodal inputs. To this end, this paper investigates the use of a large multimodal model (LMM) providing higher-level planning assistance with human-in-the-loop evaluations for vehicle recovery after immobilization in unstructured off-road terrain. The experimental simulation platform developed was based on the Algoryx (AGX) Dynamics engine for high-fidelity terramechanics interaction and vehicle physics combined with Unreal Engine 5. This platform was further integrated with a driving simulator equipped with steering wheel and pedal interfaces for human-in-the-loop experiments. We evaluated ten representative unstuck scenarios across two deformable terrains (loose sand and compact sand) under two modes: an unskilled baseline, where participants attempted recovery unaided, and a co-intelligence mode, where participants used LMM advisory instructions. The results show that LMM assistance improved stuck recovery rates by 70% compared to unaided and unskilled human driving.
Bhosale, MayureshWhitson, Jordan A.Vahidi, ArdalanJia, Yunyi
The architecture of Controller Area Network (CAN)-based protocols offers straightforward, centralized, and cost-efficient methods for various Electronic Control Units (ECUs) to communicate via the CAN bus. However, the CAN protocol was not designed with security as a priority. The CAN bus used in vehicles lacks built-in security features, (i.e., messages are broadcast without authentication or encryption). This makes CAN vulnerable to eavesdropping, spoofing, and replay attacks. Any compromised node can inject false messages (e.g., impersonating the brakes or engine controller) with no cryptographic checks to stop it. The protocol’s primary integrity safeguard, a Cyclic Redundancy Check (CRC), was designed solely for detecting transmission errors and is easily manipulated, offering no real protection against malicious adversaries. Implementing cryptography on CAN is challenging due to CAN’s most popular limited 8-byte data payload, real-time latency requirements, and the need for compatibility with millions of existing CAN devices. To address this issue, this study focuses on developing a Cryptographic Message Authentication Code (CMAC) Intrusion Detection System (IDS) implementation for CAN bus communication using existing ECUs.
Beer, SpencerJepson, JakeNogin, AlekseyDaily, Jeremy
The Army’s transformation mandate is unambiguous: deliver warfighting capability 25–30% faster. Every Tier 2 metric published in support of that mandate – days between milestones, days to complete the requirements process, days to complete contracting, days to complete testing – is really a decision throughput measurement. Yet the systems engineering (SE) discipline that governs those timelines has no formal production framework for producing decisions. This paper proposes Decision Engineering as the framework. Grounded in lean production theory, applied to information work and anchored to the defense acquisition policy structure of DoDD 5000.01 and DoDI 5000.02, Decision Engineering reconceives SE as the discipline of designing, operating, and continuously improving the lifecycle decision production system. It introduces a formal decision ontology comprising six decision states (Latent, Declared, Active, Deferred, Closed, Reopened), four topology relationship types (Precedes, Enables, Constrains, Triggers), and five diagnostic biomarkers that measure production system health. The paper presents the Decision Factory model and describes how its application to ground vehicle system programs and across the Army acquisition enterprise can accelerate capability delivery without sacrificing rigor. Defense acquisition programs do not fail for lack of engineering rigor or digital tooling. They fail because the production system that converts information into decisions is ungoverned – no inventory count, no flow discipline, no throughput measurement. Decision Engineering names this production system, provides instruments to measure its health, and offers a practitioner framework for running it better.
Alexander, EricFoglesong, MatthewBerklich, Louis (Bill)
Advancements in autonomous ground vehicle technology have led to widespread developments in the field. Autonomous ground vehicles require robust emergency stop systems capable of safely managing system failures without human intervention. This paper presents an intelligent emergency stop system that combines minimum-jerk trajectory optimization, linear quadratic regulator path tracking control, and friction-aware velocity planning to perform collision avoidance maneuvers while bringing the vehicle to a controlled stop. The system is designed for implementation on a low-cost single board computer operating as an inline gateway between the main autonomy system and the vehicle CAN bus, providing redundancy against primary system failures. Simulation results, including a 1000-run Monte Carlo analysis, demonstrate robustness to vehicle parameter uncertainty while maintaining tire forces within friction limits. Live testing on a Lincoln MKZ sedan at 30 mph confirmed real-time operation on a $15 Raspberry Pi Zero 2 with lateral tracking errors of less than 15 cm.
Thompson, KyleBevly, David M.
This paper presents a deep learning-based approach for online rotor temperature estimation in electrically excited synchronous motors (EESMs). Accurate rotor temperature estimation is critical for ensuring safe operation, improving performance, and enabling reliable thermal management of electric traction motors. Recurrent neural network (RNN) architectures, including gated recurrent unit (GRU) and long short-term memory (LSTM) networks, are investigated to develop a data-driven thermal virtual sensor capable of capturing the temporal dynamics of motor operation. Experimental data collected from a 190 kW EESM prototype are used to train and evaluate the proposed models. A systematic training, testing, and 10-fold cross-validation framework is employed to assess prediction accuracy and generalization capability. The results demonstrate that the GRU-based model achieves higher prediction accuracy than the LSTM model while maintaining comparable inference latency. The proposed approach provides an efficient and lightweight solution for real-time rotor temperature estimation suitable for embedded motor control applications.
Tatari, FarzanehAligoudarzi, Mohsen Mirza
Autonomous reconnaissance in unknown or contested environments demands robust perception systems capable of identifying diverse objects without prior training data. This paper presents HybridNAV, a hybrid framework that combines multiple foundation models with an adaptive navigation system for zero-shot object detection and autonomous exploration. Unlike monolithic detection models, HybridNAV’s multi-model fusion achieves balanced precision (0.60) and recall (0.58) with a macro F-score of 0.59, representing a 24% improvement over single-model baselines. The adaptive navigation system reduces scan time by 25% and path length by 30% compared to static waypoint approaches, while operating in real-time at 3.2 Hz with sub-100 msec latency on resource-constrained hardware. All processing is performed locally on the robotic platform, eliminating reliance on external communication infrastructure—a critical requirement for operations in communication-denied environments. We evaluate HybridNAV in both simulated indoor scenes and physical robot trials, demonstrating its effectiveness for intelligence gathering in unknown environments.
Indurthi, HemanthMartinson, Eric
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) are increasingly transforming Computer-Aided Engineering (CAE) workflows by enabling faster design iterations and reducing computational costs. This paper presents the application of Ansys SimAI and Ansys GeomAI in modelling an automotive side impact scenario using high-fidelity data from LS-DYNA simulations. Two AI models are trained on datasets with systematically varied parameters: one encompassing pole impact position and door beam configurations, and another focusing on rocker panel reinforcements. Both models exhibit strong predictive performance, reliably capturing deformation patterns and force-time histories for previously unseen configurations. The datasets are subsequently merged to train a comprehensive surrogate model capable of simultaneously representing variations in pole position, door beam geometry, and rocker reinforcement design, demonstrating robust generalization across a multidimensional design space. To address the emerging bottleneck of geometry creation, GeomAI’s geometry exploration functionality is employed to generate new rocker reinforcement geometries from existing ones, which are then rapidly validated using the pre-trained surrogate model. The results confirm that LS-DYNA simulations can be leveraged effectively to build AI models that dramatically reduce design exploration time. With SimAI and GeomAI in the loop, CAE workflows can evolve from simulation-driven design toward AI-augmented autonomous engineering, where geometry generation, simulation, validation, and optimization converge into an intelligent closed loop.
Adya, SrikanthKaradogan, CelalettinVasu, Shyam S.Lazarov, NikolayHusek, MartinHaufe, André
The proliferation of small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS) presents an asymmetric threat to ground maneuver forces operating in contested and gray-zone environments. The Bullfrog Autonomous Weapon Station (AWS) addresses this operational gap through a passive, AI-powered counter-UAS system employing computer vision and machine learning for autonomous detection, tracking, classification, and engagement. Field testing at Technology Readiness Experimentation (T-REX) 26-1 demonstrated 100% probability of defeat against Group 1 UAS targets with a mean engagement time of 6 seconds and 10 rounds per kill at ranges exceeding 160 meters. Operating in both autonomous and human-in-the-loop modes, Bullfrog achieved 99.45% operational availability while leveraging service-common M240B weapons and Modular Open Systems Architecture for rapid integration with Joint All-Domain Command and Control (JADC2) networks. At $300,000 per unit with $10 cost-per-engagement, Bullfrog demonstrates operational relevance, speed-to-field, and alignment with Army and Marine Corps autonomy priorities.
Cunningham, JasonClark, Alex
Verification of functional requirements in Model-Based Systems Engineering environments remains fragmented across heterogeneous tools and manual processes. This paper presents a digital twin–enabled workflow that supports automated requirement verification through integration of SysML models, executable simulation environments, and verification evaluation functions. Within this scope, the objective is to formalize a verification workflow that preserves architectural abstraction while enabling automated, traceable, and simulation-driven evaluation of functional requirements. The approach establishes a continuous digital thread that maintains traceability between requirements, system architecture, and verification outcomes. The workflow is demonstrated using a differential-drive robotic platform, where sensor data availability and update rate verification are used as representative examples of digital twin-based functional requirement evaluation. Results illustrate the feasibility of incorporating digital twin-driven verification into model-centric engineering processes while maintaining consistent verification feedback within the system model. The demonstration produced both passing and failing verification outcomes, illustrating the workflow’s ability to surface requirement-design mismatches.
Zeki, OmarSahebsara, FaridTorkjazi, MohammadrezaHieb, Michael R.Raz, Ali K.
There is a need for advanced collaboration tools to meet the needs of increasingly complex engineering design challenges and of global design teams. Specifically, virtual design reviews are a means by which teams can obtain a better understanding of a product’s design. Many CAD systems have integrated cloud features, which can be utilized to perform design reviews within these systems. The focus of this paper is to evaluate CAD systems in three CAD architectures: traditional, cloud-enabled, and cloud-native, to assess their capabilities and highlight areas of improvement for CAD developers. Using a list of previously generated requirements, CAD systems were evaluated on how well they met each requirement to determine how they can foster collaborative work. While cloud-native CAD systems performed the best against the requirements, no CAD system was able to fully meet all requirements, showcasing multiple areas for future development.
Hughes, KatelynnPetty, EmilyMocko, Gregory M.
The US Army and several NATO allies have committed funds for directed energy weapons including high energy lasers (HEL), which require substantial electrical power. Silent Mobility and Silent Watch requirements mandate hybridization, which also provides the electrical capacity needed for a HEL. This paper introduces a HEL framework of classes A-E based on target types and fluence physics. It estimates installed HEL mass and power demand by class, and applies rapid powertrain screening to hypothetical hybrid variants of the UK vehicles Foxhound and Boxer. Results show that HELs up to Class B (60 kW) and D (300 kW) laser output can be supported with minimal powertrain modifications by Foxhound and Boxer respectively, and upgrades to support Class C (150 kW) and E (500 kW) are containable within the payload of each vehicle. A rapid methodology is presented to determine what powertrain architecture is needed to support a given HEL.
Salis, Rupert Tull
This position paper presents
Dattathreya, Macam
This research is meant to enhance the analytic capabilities of OneSAF for usage as a Monte Carlo-style data generator for use in large problem space trade studies. Using novel ground vehicle data such as: RHA armor values, weapon penetration prediction models, and sensor values, new models can be developed in OneSAF for use in data generation and analysis. This process and companion software developed for this purpose enables the rapid construction and evaluation of differing vehicle variants in a fraction of the time of the baseline process, improving the efficiency of using OneSAF as a data analysis tool. This approach facilitates a more comprehensive virtual experimentation approach that can use manufactured data as a part of the process.
Sapunkov, OlegRoberts, BradshawJorgensen, Maxwell
This paper introduces a method of predicting system robustness using engineering models with aleatory uncertainty. The Stochastic Robustness Evaluation and Categorization (SREC) method is useful for the design of systems where performance along some dimension is limited by several failure modes. SREC integrates and extends interaction plots and Monte Carlo methods to complex engineering models. These complex models are often difficult to evaluate and visualize due to the curse of dimensionality. SREC is effective for non-linear, non-convex, non-monotonic, and discontinuous models due to its basis in Monte Carlo methods. The method is based on the identification of low-performing solutions, the construction of probability density functions and intervals from these solutions, and the categorization of the input space based on the likelihood of low-performing solutions occurring. Using SREC in the late stages of the design process provides insight to the designer about possible improvements in the system’s robustness. A ground vehicle model based on a US Army test procedure is used to demonstrate the effectiveness of SREC on high-dimensional, multi-failure mode models.
Louis, EdwardMocko, GregoryTaylor, Evan
The validation of Autonomous Ground Vehicles (AGVs) and intelligent logistics planners is frequently compromised by the ”Sim-to-Real” gap, where simulation environments fail to replicate the physical friction of operational deployment. Ideally, valid test cases must enforce strict mobility constraints and impose realistic sustainment penalties; however, many current generation tools rely on idealized terrain interactions and infinite-resource assumptions. We present a real-time procedural framework designed to generate high-friction validation environments that stress-test the robustness of the System Under Test (SUT). The architecture integrates gradient-based terrain analysis with a stochastic contested logistics model. It ingests synthetic heightmaps to precompute mobility corridors, ensuring that every generated evaluation episode adheres to vehicle-specific traversability limits. Simultaneously, a logistics kernel enforces fuel consumption scaled by terrain gradients and models supply chain interdiction as a parameterized Bernoulli process. We validate this framework through a ”Digital Twin” methodology, demonstrating that terrain-aware generation eliminates invalid initialization states (0% mobility violations) while the logistics model induces operationally relevant failure modes in the SUT. This unclassified, open-architecture approach supports DoD Verification, Validation, and Accreditation (VV&A) requirements by providing deterministic, reproducible edge cases for autonomous system evaluation.
Soykan, BulentRabadi, GhaithBochenek, GracePaul, Victor J.
Certain aspects of cognitive state, such as attention, are known to oscillate and exhibit time-varying dynamics. This has strong implications for future human-system integration since, across domains, there is often a cost to interrupting ongoing processes. However, to date there is little knowledge about the cost of such disruption when considering cognitive resources. We have constructed a predictive model that captures these oscillations and predicts future cognitive state using only a finite history of prior state. We use this model to investigate what happens when ongoing cognitive dynamics are interrupted. We use data in which participants perform an unrestricted visual search task, while an auditory side task is randomly injected. The results show that when the timing of the side task causes a disruption, the participants’ physiology display patterns that have been previously associated with increased cognitive load. This indicates that it is not only the nature of the task that must be considered but also the onset time of the task. When task demands are out of phase with ongoing dynamics there is a cost to this timing error in addition to the challenge of the task itself.
Gordon, S. M.Touryan, J.
We present atomistic molecular dynamics simulations of linear and branched fluorinated polymer chains, with and without imidazole functionalization, designed as a model for solvent-free proton-conducting membranes for high-temperature fuel cell applications. Simulations conducted over a temperature range of 300 to 550 K, and diffusion-based relaxation times reveal that glass transition temperatures depend on polymer architecture: the branched and functionalized systems exhibit transitions near 400 K compared to 500 K for the linear chain. Fluorine-fluorine radial distribution functions demonstrate that branching disrupts local packing order, while imidazole substitution creates specific intra-chain interactions. Radius-of-gyration distributions reveal that branching significantly increases chain extension and creates multiple conformational families, whereas imidazole groups stabilize compact conformations at low temperatures that transition to more diverse states upon heating. These findings provide molecular-scale insight into how polymer architecture controls thermal transitions and structural organization in model high-temperature polymer electrolyte membranes.
Ganta, SujithAlim, TwahaRakesh, LeelaMueller, AnjaMellinger, AxelBurye, TheodoreSebastian, Talia