Relative Motion Consulting

Unmanned Low Profile Vessels: “Narco Subs” for Contested Logistics

Don Brutzman

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Thesis document

The following important thesis is publicly available.

  • UNMANNED LOW-PROFILE VESSELS: “NARCO SUBS” FOR CONTESTED LOGISTICS
  • Sergio A. Sierra, Major USAF, Master’s Thesis, Master of Science in Information Technology Management (ITM) and Master of Business Administration (MBA), Naval Postgraduate School (NPS), Monterey California USA, September 2024.
  • Advisor and co-advisors: Don Brutzman, Mustafa Canan, Jarema M. Didoszak, Raymond D. Jones
Thesis presentation
  • Abstract. LPVs are effective at evading interdiction, partly due to their difficulty to detect, and are manufactured quickly with low-skilled labor and at low cost. This research uses modeling and simulation tools, including the Next Generation Threat System (NGTS), and found a significantly lower probability of detection by People’s Republic of China (PRC) assets of ULPVs than other logistics vessels. This research finds ULPVs as an effective solution to enhance the U.S. military’s operational capabilities in a contested environment.
Poster, Acquisition Research Symposium 2024
  • This research documents possible ULPV concepts of employment (CONEMPs), challenges for ULPV design, and numerous ULPV design considerations, including enterprise architecture (EA), command, control, and communications (C3), navigation, big data, and susceptibility. Finally, this research documents considerations for defense acquisition of ULPVs and informs an analysis of alternatives (AoA) for a materiel solution supporting contested logistics.
  • NPS Dudley Knox LIbrary (DKL) Calhoun Digital Archive, DOI: https://hdl.handle.net/10945/73370
  • This work was also presented in the NPS Acquisition Research Symposium, 8-9 May 2024.
  • Distribution Statement A. Approved for public release: Distribution is unlimited.

Research findings include

  • Estimation methods for Determining ULPV Susceptibility and ULPV Deception
  • Simulation Methodologies to Determine Probabilities of Detection for Contested Logistics
  • ULPV Missions for Exemplar Concepts of Employment (CONEMPS) defined using Autonomous Vehicle Command Language (AVCL) for Ethical Control of Autonomous Systems

Research recommendations include

  • Further Modeling and Simulation (M&S) to assess Large-Scale Systems Effectiveness
  • Estimate Radar Cross Section (RCS) and Infrared Cross Section (IRCS) using 3D models
  • Optimization alternatives for maximum performance or minimum cost, within constraints
  • Quantify relationships between ULPV design, operational impact, and overall program cost
  • Apply multidisciplinary findings using Causal Loop Diagrams for a Contested Logistics Model
  • Pursue a Defense Acquisition Strategy for Rapid-Response ULPV Production supporting Joint Forces
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Don Brutzman

Don Brutzman is a computer scientist and career submarine officer, now retired as an Associate Professor from the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) in Monterey California. His development efforts include applying open standards for Web-based visualization using Extensible 3D (X3D) graphics, underwater robotics, implementing robotic data strategies, Network-Optional Warfare (NOW), Ethical Control of Unmanned Systems, and distributed simulation. His research interests include real-time interactive 3D computer graphics, underwater robotics, artificial intelligence (AI), and distributed networking for large-scale virtual environments.