Journal articles on the topic 'Australia Armed forces Communication systems'

Hierarchical construction of special purpose systems, a large number of different types of communication devices that are the part of them necessitates the need to justify the order of research of special communication systems. Existing approaches to conduct research on special purpose communication systems are narrowly focused and aimed at researching certain types of communication. A large number of destabilizing factors affecting the functioning of special purpose communication systems and a priori uncertainty about the conditions of its application only complicate the mentioned issue. Also, the experience of the full-scale armed aggression of the armed forces of the Russian Federation on the territory of Ukraine showed the need to change approaches to the research of special purpose communication systems. That is why the issue of improving the effectiveness of the management of forces and devices of communication of groups of troops (forces) during operations is an important and urgent issue. The object of the research is the communication system of the group of troops (forces). The subject of the research is the effectiveness of the communication system of the group of troops (forces) in accordance with the purpose of the operation. The research developed a methodical approach to the research of special purpose communication systems. The novelty of the proposed methodical approach consists in taking into account the efficiency while choosing this or that method while investigating the state of a special-purpose communication system and the ability to calculate the reliability while choosing this or that method while investigating the state of a special-purpose communication system. Also, the element of novelty of this methodical approach is taking into account the efficiency of the decisions made regarding the assessment of the state of the special purpose communication system while choosing one or another research method. It is advisable to implement the mentioned approach in algorithmic and program software while studying the state of the special purpose communication system.

One of the most important characteristics of radiocommunication systems and facilities that operate in the conditions of radio-electronic suppression is their secrecy, which is the ability of systems and radio communications to withstand the actions of radio-intelligence. Radiotechnical intelligence provides consistent execution of three main tasks: the detection of the fact of the operation of the system (devices) of radio communication (signal detection); determination of the structure of the detected signal and its basic parameters; disclosure of the information contained in the signal. Taking into account the Operations of the Joint Forces in the East of Ukraine caused by the armed aggression of the Russian Federation, an urgent question is raised regarding the analysis of the technical characteristics of the radio-electronic intelligence systems for determining the operation of the radiocommunication equipment of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the structure of the type of signals used. The authors of this article conducted an analysis of the technical characteristics of the radio-electronic intelligence systems of the Russian Armed Forces to determine the operation of the radiocommunication equipment of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the structure of the type of signals used. During the research, the authors used the basic provisions of the theory of communication, the theory of electronic warfare, the theory of signals and general scientific methods of analysis and synthesis. According to the results of the research, the following conclusions can be drawn: the frequency range of the electronic intelligence facilities of the Russian Armed Forces is much larger than the frequency range of the radiocommunication facilities of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and technically developed countries of the world; classical methods of increasing impedance and secrecy such as pseudo-random reconstruction of the operating frequency is not able to provide a given level of secrecy. In view of this, the direction of further research should be considered the development of scientific and methodical apparatus for increasing the structural secrecy of radio communications based on the use of time-signal structures.

Radio broadcasting has played an important role as a medium of information, news and entertainment for Australian military personnel in wartime and conflict situations. However, while many nations have comprehensive units tasked to the full-time provision of broadcasting services, such as the Armed Forces Radio and Television Service (AFRTS) in the United States and the British Forces Broadcasting Service (BFBS) in the United Kingdom, Australia has relied on more ad hoc measures. As contingencies have required, the Australian military has introduced radio broadcasting elements into its table of organisation, the most comprehensive having been the Australian Army Amenities Service (AAAS) during World War II. Now, in a new technological era, perhaps specialised radio for troops will fade completely from the agenda.

The purpose of the article is to study the peculiarities of the use of GIS, which is used by the Armed Forces, namely by artillery. Interaction regarding the use of high-quality satellite communication and geographic information system was considered. The relevance of the article lies in the analysis of the use of geoinformation technologies for military purposes. GIS "ARTA" was studied, and its main advantages were determined. The problems that can be solved with the help of "ARTA" GIS are considered. Thanks to the use of GIS during military operations, it is possible to improve the accuracy and speed of artillery and missile systems. The practical application of a complex system, which includes GIS and a high-quality satellite communication system, will allow to significantly increase the effectiveness of the use of artillery in modern warfare.

The article analyzes the experience of leading countries in creating a logistics military systems, reviewed the development (transformation) of military logistics of leading countries of the world and outlines the creation and development of an automated system of Logistic support of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Study of the success and effectiveness of the implementation of logistical support (LS) of military operations (forces) in the world from the experience of the armed forces of the world’s leading countries (PKS) in order to choose ways to build their own automated control system (ACS) for the Armed Forces (AF) Of Ukraine led to the conclusion that promising conceptual approaches (relevant policy documents) for the creation of a modern ACS of the Armed Forces of Ukraine should be based on modern military logistics operational and strategic concepts and provide for bkah extensive use of advanced achievements in science and technology to improve the quality of organization and management of drugs armed forces use in the management of logistics information technology for defense agencies, and improving the forms and methods of comprehensive support of combat operations. The analysis shows that in order to implement the experience of the world’s leading countries in creating military logistics systems and military logistics development programs in the logistics system of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, it is necessary to implement such areas of development of ACS of the Armed Forces of Ukraine as: – full situational awareness of resources (full coverage of resources, operational tracking of availability, location of inventories and means of delivery) in real time on the basis of a single database and information and communication space; – timely response to current and projected needs of groups of forces, fast and targeted delivery and distribution of means of support with refusal of early creation of significant stocks of means of logistics; – full integration of measures for the management of resources and logistics in the course of hostilities (operations); – flexible adaptation of the logistics system to the conditions of the real operational situation, as well as achieving the greatest homogeneity of the processes of functioning of the ACS of logistics in peacetime and wartime; – efficiency and preliminary planning of maintenance and repair processes, ensuring operational reliability and maintainability. Keywords: logistics system; concept; automated control system; logistic activity; logistics; IT; the process of automation; defense resources.

The results of the analysis of recent military conflicts convincingly show that the forms and methods of the armed forces application are changing and improving. Scientific and technological progress, the rapid development of information technology, the growing role of high-precision weapons, increasing the effectiveness of intelligence, intensive automation of command and control systems change the nature of modern warfare and are having a steady impact on operational arts, including the need to further improve management theory. In modern military conflicts, new trends in the development of an armed warfare have emerged, which affect the construction of the armed forces, the development of forms and methods of their application. At the same time, there are deviations from the classical views on the military operation execution. The article presents some features of modern conflicts, shows that the main task in modern wars is to gain and maintain information superiority over the enemy through the use of a single information and communication space by the troop’s groupings.

Forward operating bases of the Armed Forces are located in remote areas where grid connection is normally not available and if available are vulnerable to outages due to vagaries of weather or action by adversary. Microgrids are generally more efficient and may provide electric power storage for emergency supply of electricity to mission critical equipment like surveillance systems, sensors, communication, command and control systems of such forward bases. Several small independent microgrids can also be interconnected together to satisfy the energy requirements of the remote military areas. Networking of several self-supervised microgrids is being developed with the aim to enhance efficiency, reliability and resiliency as well as the steadiness of power systems. In this work, an interconnection of microgrids at three remote bases of the armed forces is presented and simulated. The proposed power co-ordination strategy is designed in such a way that during peace time operation it tries to minimize the overall requirement of fossil fuel for generators supplying the critical loads and in case of outages, it can tackle the emergency situation by automatically routing the power to critical loads from other operational bases. The entire system has been simulated and verified using MATLAB 2018.

A characteristic feature of modern forms of use of the Armed Forces (AF) is the high dynamism of combat operations, and the main trend in the development of AF command and control systems (CCS) is the integration of various systems of communication, navigation, reconnaissance, information acquisition and processing, weapons, intelligent systems, automation of all formal and fast-moving processes. Geo-information systems (GIS), geo-information technologies (GIT), GPS and Earth remote sensing (ERS) technologies have become de facto a necessary technology for obtaining and processing spatial data in both civil and military spheres. The use of GIS for military purposes (MP) of the Armed Forces of Ukraine will make it possible to conduct a qualitative analysis of spatial and attributive information, take effective management decisions, visualize the combat zone of both individual units and subunits, and the entire theater of operations, promptly display any changes in the combat situation, automate the process of updating maps, determining the coordinates of the desired objects, navigation, etc. It allows you to reduce the likelihood of errors and flaws, increase the speed of creating maps, speed up the processing of information and significantly improve the quality of decision-making by commanders of different levels and echelons who are involved in the process of making certain decisions, and ensure the same initial picture of fighting activities; support of knowledge of the military-object situation at the tactical, operational-tactical and operational levels; to ensure prompt delivery of information to interested authorized users.

Considering the lack of standard test methods for communication channels of modern unmanned aerial systems (UAS) class I and II, according to the UAS classification of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, it was decided to work out the basic approaches for determining indicators, conditions and procedure for conducting tests in this direction. The suggested methodological recommendations will improve the quality of the parameters and characteristics assessment for communication channels of UAS I and II classes. One of the distinctive trends in the development of modern forms and methods of conducting armed combat at all stages of the armed conflict is the widespread use of the UASs by opposing parties. UASs are capable of significant increasing the effectiveness of accomplishing aerial reconnaissance tasks, organizing electronic warfare, and providing real-time delivery of target pinpointing to fire means for the destruction of enemy’s manpower and material. A distinctive feature of UAS is that its external crew, as a rule, accomplish its mission at a considerable distance from the objects of attack. This fact significantly reduces the security risks and threats associated with performing combat missions under conditions of active enemy counteraction. Due to this feature, considerable attention is paid to the development of a reliable communication system that would be able to ensure task accomplishment at the maximum distance from command and control site. During the tests of UAS Class I and II, the specialists of the State Scientific Research Institute of Armament and Military Equipment Testing and Certification used testing methods of radio channels assessment, which will allow to improve the quality of UAS research of this type and give the manufacturers recommendations for increasing their capabilities.

This article offers the first empirical study of the origins, nature and effects of Australian Defence Force (ADF) opinions about the Australian media's coverage of Defence issues and ADF operations. It summarises the history of fractious military–media relations in Australia, and looks at the principal contributors to the current antipathy between the parties. It argues that while the media routinely denounce the military's motivations in its dealings with the fourth estate, they have no means of understanding its rationale, as until now there has been no empirical analysis of what the military thinks of the media's treatment of it and how these opinions have been shaped. The article then presents and examines the results of its survey of the 2011 intake at the Australian Command and Staff College. From an analysis of these results, it proposes why the ADF has such a low opinion of Australian media coverage of the armed forces, and examines the consequences of these opinions for current and future military–media relations.

The purpose of the study is to find ways to solve the current problem of improving the military education system. The needs in the formation and development of digital competencies of military management officers in different competence areas were studied: information and data literacy, communication and collaboration, digital content creation, safety and problem solving are studied. Possession of a high level of competence in these areas, according to the authors, significantly affects the professional development of officers during their military careers. The attention is focused on the possibility of implementing transdisciplinary integration in the system of advanced training of officers of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The subject of the study, among other things, was the formation of readiness to use STEM-technologies in professional activities. The study reviewed modern STEM-approaches in the educational process and analyzed the experience of countries such as the United States, Australia, China, Britain, Israel, Korea, Singapore. The results of the survey among the students of advanced training courses at The National Defence University of Ukraine named after Ivan Cherniakhovskyi are highlighted. In particular, the attitude and needs of military management officers to training and professional development were clarified; identified their educational interests. In particular, the need for effective ownership of tools for planning and organizing project work, analysis and evaluation of achieved results is identified.

As part of the development of international military cooperation and the expansion of intercultural communication in the military sphere, there is an increasing need for specialists who are able to provide high-quality linguistic support for military activities. The importance of improving the quality of training of military personnel and military education is indicated in the Military Doctrine of the Russian Federation. The article is based on the scientific ideas of E. M. Vereshchagin and V.G. Kostomarov, who are rightfully considered the founders of linguistic and regional studies. In the context of the professional language training of military translators, the linguistic and regional aspects of the formation of the educational professional language discourse of military translators are considered. The study of the features of the translation of linguistic and cultural realities involves familiarization with the organizational structure of the country's armed forces of the foreign language being studied, the system of manning the armed forces, the order of service, military ranks, insignia and distinctions. Educational professional military linguistic discourse also includes linguistic and cultural realities associated with the designation of weapons systems and military equipment of the country's armed forces of the foreign language being studied. Translation of military slang, which also reflects the peculiarities of the culture of the country of the target language, presents a significant difficulty. The linguistic units of military slang are not only widely used in the oral speech of military personnel, but are also found in the texts of military journalism, fiction and military documents.

It is difficult In the field of medical support for troops, the main method of recording, accumulating and transmitting military medical information is various medical information systems. However, the implementation of the needs of management bodies in information support for management decision-making is possible only when organizing the interaction of the MIS with all information systems for medical purposes, the information systems of interacting services, the formation of the necessary technical infrastructure and communication channels for military purposes, as well as the formation of a comprehensive information and analytical support for the activities of military management bodies both on the basis of existing information systems and with the help of specialized software. The modern features of building information systems in the interests of the medical service, the system of protecting the health of citizens and military personnel in peacetime and for a special period are studied. The characteristics of the existing and future information systems of the medical service of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation and interacting information systems for military purposes are given. The order of receipt, accumulation, processing and further use of information on the health of military personnel, the volume and structure of sanitary losses, the activities of units, units and organizations of the medical service of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation is defined. Promising options for the use of information and analytical data in improving the efficiency and quality of the organization of the processes of managing the medical support of the troops are proposed (2 figs, 1 table, bibliography: 16 refs).

The military rank is one of the most important indicators of the personal level achieved by a serviceman in relation to other servicemen within the established nationwide hierarchical system. Military ranks help establish relationships of subordination and seniority between military personnel, compliance with the positions held, and the age limit for military service and in the reserve. Military ranks are insignia of military personnel. The system of military ranks in each country has its own characteristics and origin. Military ranks in the Russian and Vietnamese armies vary depending on the historical period. The formation of the system of personal military ranks went through the centuries-old stages of their evolution. As we know, the changes taking place in society are reflected in the language in the form of an appropriate vocabulary design. Military nomenclature terminology is a special layer of the lexical composition of any language. As a specific layer of military vocabulary, on the one hand, it reflects a direct impact of extralinguistic factors on the language, and on the other hand, it contributes to the manifestation of certain general trends in the development and functioning of the national language. In this article, we will consider the system of military ranks in the armed forces of the Russian Federation and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam from a synchronous point of view. The article gives a general description of the system of military ranks, reveals the features of the vocabulary denoting military ranks in the Russian Federation and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, highlights the use of words denoting military ranks in Russian and Vietnamese languages in communication and in official records. The results of the presented work may have a certain significance for lexicography and translation practice.

The article discusses the problems associated with the need to use logistic ground robotic systems for the needs of the Ground Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine during operations as part of functionally oriented groups. Nowadays the delivery of ammunition and other military equipment to the combat zone is difficult and extremely dangerous for personnel. In the near future, the mass use of ground-based robotic means on the battlefield is expected. At the same time, their effective implementation in the daily activities of troops will have to be carried out through the use of rear ground-based robotic systems during the implementation of transport measures for troops, especially those in the area of fire of the enemy. The group control technologies of robotic vehicles require the use of «additional» communication devices as part of communication subsystems and automation of control of ground-based robotic complexes – the so-called «short-range» communication, to directly solve group problems arising in the process of joint use for the intended purpose. The main direction of research in this area is the use of the latest communication and sensor technologies of group wireless access as part of integrated transport communication and automation subsystems, in which radio network nodes (group members) can communicate directly with each other. Methods for solving the assigned tasks based on the use of «peer-to-peer networks» using communication protocols of the 802.11p standard (DSRC, Dedicated Short Range Communication) – short-range communication technologies are proposed. Keywords: logistic ground robotic complex, logistics support, communication and control automation subsystem, group wireless access technologies, peer-to-peer network, dedicated short range communication.

Polish soldiers have long participated in international operations under the auspices of various organizations, primarily the UN. However, since Poland’s accession to NATO and the adoption of our country to European Union, the activities of our military contingents have focused primarily on participation in international operations, organized by the two organizations and under the terms of their procedures. Poland, as part of joint and several actions to ensure common security, has actively been engaged in military operations and non-military missions of various international organizations, as well as local actions in the ad hoc coalition created. The degree of involvement and geographical areas are determined by the current capabilities of the armed forces and the clearly defined objectives coincide with the Polish raison d'etat, as defined in the National Security Strategy of the Republic of Polish and expressed in their efforts to strengthen Poland’s international position. This paper presents the results of research on the functioning of NEC communication network (the Polish military contingent) in military operations abroad. The research was carried out among the soldiers-specialists who were involved in international operations and it focused on the organizational requirements: the technical specifications for the NEC communication networks. Also, the research concerned the organization and operation of communication networks and its services as well as the means of communication and IT used by the staff, users, soldiers and NEC employees.

The issue of improving the technical characteristics of promising high-speed multi-band broadband military radios is an important issue. It happens because of the increase in the number of devices of communication in information and telecommunication networks, as well as the growing requirements for the level of technical characteristics of these devices. Given the above, the object of the research is a promising high-speed multi-band broadband military radios. The subject of the research is the technical characteristics of promising high-speed multi-band broadband military radios. In the course of the research, classical methods of analysis and synthesis were used. The research analyzes global trends in the construction and development of wireless access networks, which allows concluding on the prospects of development (purchase) and implementation of high-speed multi-band broadband military radios for the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The results of the analysis of characteristics and parameters of high-speed multi-band broadband radio stations of the world's leading countries allow to determine the main features and requirements for promising radios, as well as to substantiate the use of high-speed radio stations in the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The conditions and factors influencing the possibilities of using promising broadband radio stations in the conditions of modern wars and armed conflicts are determined. The analysis allows to conclude that broadband radio access systems will be used to organize access to information resources in the information and telecommunications environments of network-centric and information wars.

The article considers the possibilities of improving the cyber defense system of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine in accordance with the goals and objectives defined in the decisions of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine and the Laws of Ukraine. A review of the requirements of normative documents on information and cyber security of Ukraine and similar documents of the United States of America was carried out. The considered algorithm for developing a risk management system in the direction of information security is outlined in the USA national standards. The scientific novelty of the work is that in the process of developing the risk management system in the information and communication systems (ICS) of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, it was proposed to create an decision support system that will be based on a specialized knowledge base capable of accumulating experience both during cyber-defense measures of the ICS and during the implementation of cyber-influences on the ICS of the enemy. An overview of open international standardization methods and relevant knowledge bases that can be used to update information on vulnerabilities and countermeasures in IC systems was carried out. The joint to use of open knowledge bases and specialized knowledge bases potentially can create new opportunities not only during cyber defense, but also during the implementation of cyber influences on the ICS of the enemy, therefore, this direction of research is promising and corresponds to the national interests of Ukraine

Problems of carrying out repair and technical maintenance of the automatic management system (AMS) equipment and communication in service of the rocket and artillery arms (RAA) of Russian Armed Forces divisions are considered. The military repair system of AMS equipment and communication capable to increase efficiency of logistics support service by automating key processes is offered. The composition of the hardware and software complex that ensures the interaction of repair units and higher governing bodies is offered. The software part provides storage and processing of information on status monitoring, functional checks, maintenance, diagnostic results and repair of attached objects and their components. The hardware is represented by a universal built-in set of communication and data transfer means, which allows to provide a unified control loop of repair units of the logistics support service. The main means of technical support for repair operations is a mobile workshop for diagnostics and repair of AMS equipment and communications, which is a universal transport module equipped with special systems and tools that ensure staff activities and equipment operability. It is also proposed the introduction of a specialized workshop based on a container body, which includes a machine with numerical control and a 3D printer in order to save on the manufacture and transportation of some simple details and spare parts.

The article proposes a variant of the technical approach in evaluating of the characteristics of multi-core balanced nonquadded cables for digital communication systems. The list of modern standards of the International Electrotechnical Commission, and also the National standards of Ukraine and the international standards which are created on their basis is presented. The proposed standards define the general requirements for communication cables, offer verifying methods for the design, structural dimensions, and materials of elements, marking and packaging. In addition, the provisions of these standards define the methods of testing the electrical characteristics, survivability and resistance of the cable to climatic and mechanical factors. A list of proposed cable characteristics, i.e. electrical, survivability and resistance to environmental influences, is sufficient to assess the cable for compliance with the stated requirements. The list of considered characteristics is not exhaustive and can be supplemented or changed depending on requirements of the customer. On the example of using the automatic measuring system AESA 9500 made in Sweden to measure electrical characteristics, the possibilities of optimizing the process of evaluating the characteristics of the cable through the use of modern automatically controlled measuring systems, which will significantly reduce the time and cost of evaluation are considered. The approach presented in the article to the evaluation of the characteristics of multi-core balanced nonquadded cables for digital communication systems can be used during the testing of the cable planned for delivery to the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

The current ecological state of Ukraine's natural environment is largely determined by the consequences of hostilities taking place almost throughout its territory. The article considers the peculiarities of the implementation of the concept of a single network of environmental monitoring of hostilities for prompt response and preventive measures to prevent irreversible damage to the components of the environment, personnel and the population living in the vicinity of hostilities.The analysis of the structural and logical model of the system of ecological monitoring of military-man-made objects and its adaptation to the monitoring of hostilities is carried out. A structural and functional scheme of the environmental monitoring system of hostilities has been developed, which allows to obtain detailed information from all four levels of subordination for the Armed Forces of Ukraine.The types and nature of environmental information processed in the system of environmental monitoring of hostilities are determined. The architecture of the information-measuring system of ecological monitoring of combat operations and the peculiarities of the interaction of its components through the information-communication system of the Armed Forces of Ukraine have been developed.Requirements to the information-measuring system of ecological monitoring of military operations are formed and the architecture of ecological-information systems on the basis of the effective concept of a data warehouse which generalizes all ecological information on influence of military actions on an ecological condition of environment of Ukraine is offered.The structural and functional scheme of the information-analytical system of ecological monitoring of military operations is offered, which will allow to successfully implement the tasks listed in the article and to achieve high efficiency of ecological information use.

AIM: to determine the principles and assess the possibilities of informatization of medical support of the Armed Forces in military conflicts based on the concept of network-centric control. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A content analysis of domestic and foreign literary sources has been carried out for the identification and subsequent analysis of the organizational aspects of creating a network-centric model for managing medical support in general and medical personnel in particular, capable of performing the tasks assigned to it in high-tech military conflicts (wars). RESULTS: The definition of the concept of network-centric medical support is formulated as a system of measures aimed at increasing the capabilities of medical units in modern wars and military conflicts in order to reduce sanitary losses and return to service the maximum number of wounded and sick by creating a communication and information space and combining all medical systems. provision in a single network. The principles of using the network-centric approach to the construction of a promising management system for medical services are formulated. The results of approbation of a network-centric approach to solving problems of medical support of troops actions are presented. The tools for ensuring the consolidation and optimal use of the organizational potential and information and analytical resources of the medical service management bodies and military medical organizations are characterized. CONCLUSION: It is shown that the creation of a unified medical information system will significantly increase the efficiency of medical support without a quantitative increase in service. The authors give a report that it is difficult, but quite possible, to catch up with the leading foreign countries in terms of opportunities, availability and quality of medical supplies with network-centric control. For this, it is necessary in parallel to consider, develop and implement a program designed to create a system of network-centric control of military medical organizations and medical support of troops in general, to launch a process of elaborating a theory and testing ideas (bibliography: 20 refs).

The emergence of asymmetric forms of threats to national and international security arise from completely different assumptions and perceptions related to the provision of security which, until recently, have been based on a static approach towards the management of conventional threats. As a result, changing social conditions and tensions (brought about by rapid technological development) have found individual social environments and classes completely unprepared for confrontation with this new, global, security situation. As the effective management of such threats is a sig-nificant condition for the smooth functioning of information and communication systems that are a part of critical infrastructure, cyber threats require special attention. In the Republic of Slovenia, it will be necessary to plan measures to counter cyber threats and apply these on the basis of a systemic approach. Due to limited financial, personnel and technological potentials, it is impossible to think of a different course of action. In this context, the defence sector, including the Slovenian Armed Forces, must adopt a more active and significant role.

The rise of the welfare state in the 1960s and 1970s meant important changes within the Western states: apparatuses of armed forces, bureaucratic ordering, and public transport and communication became institutions of transfer payments to households, and public education, caring and social services. In this article we describe the influence of the current economic crisis on the welfare state. Average yearly growth of social security expenditure continues, but has declined since 1981. Generous systems of social security clearly provide no security against the consequences of the economic crisis, especially unemployment. Public commitment to social security and full employment are largely independent of each other. We describe how, under the surface of welfare state growth, the political relations of force have changed in favor of those social forces advocating fundamental reappraisal of the welfare state over those supporting its maintenance or extension. The resistance to significant changes is so strong, however, that fundamental reconstruction of the welfare state is as yet excluded. We hold that the welfare state is an irreversible major institution of advanced capitalist countries, as long as democracy prevails. The building of a majoritarian anti-welfare state coalition seems impossible for the foreseeable future, but in some countries significant cuts must be expected; we end by specifying some economic and political preconditions for such cuts.

The article is devoted to studies legal fixing of information component of terrorist threat in nationwide level legal acts of Ukraine. Analyzed the National Security Strategy of Ukraine 2020, Concept of Development of Security And Defense Sector of Ukraine 2016, Strategy of Cybersecurity of Ukraine 2016, the project of the new Strategy of Cybersecurity of Ukraine 2021–2025, the Counter-Terrorism Concept of the Ukraine 2019 and the Action Plan of the implementation of the Counter-Terrorism Concept of the Ukraine. It is noted that realization of the terrorist threat in the information sphere may be turned out by : the socially dangerous activity in cyberspace for terrorist purpose; armed forces` activity in interaction with organized crime groups with the using of the means of terrorism as a reveal of hybrid war; using the modern information and communication technologies for conducting terrorist acts by the intrusion to the automated control systems of the technological processes in the critical infrastructure facilities; implementation of acts of cyberterrorism in relation to the information infrastructure; using the cyberspace by the terrorist organizations and for the terrorism` financing; conducting the acts of cyber terrorism against information infrastructure. On the nationwide level it is fixed the priority objects of the terrorist cyberattacks (nuclear power facilities, power supply management systems, storages of strategic types of raw materials, water supply systems, chemical and biological objects).

Studying and analyzing the world’s promising areas of technological development of the armament and military equipment (AME) field is an urgent task of ensuring comprehensive long-term planning for the development of military equipment, organizing scientific research, strategic planning for the development of the national armed forces and ensuring the national security of the state. The method of determination of perspective directions of technological development of the field of armaments and military equipment on the basis of patent analysis is presented in the work. Patents play an important role in building entrepreneurial strategies and protecting intellectual property (IP) rights in technology companies. Using patent information can reduce R&D time by 60% and reduce their cost by 40%. The Patent Landscape Report provides a snapshot of the patent situation in a particular technology or company, in a particular region, country or globally. Using this methodology and Derwent Innovation database, which contains information on more than 116 million patents from 52 world patent bases, a patent landscape was built on the basis of the International Patent Classification (IPC) and the world technological trends of the research area, including both military technology and dual-use technologies. The article presents the most promising areas of technological development of a military nature, which include aerospace, information and communication technologies, technologies for communication and image transmission systems, vehicle traffic control systems, smart, intelligent, high-energy hypersonic weapons, ammunition with several warheads, and individual security systems, etc. Ukraine’s place in this process, unused reserves and threats are shown. The conclusion is drawn about the formation of science. Intellectual property analytical materials were provided, and definition was given.

Maintaining continuity of use is extremely important in the modern world and in particular in the armed forces. Analysis of the system exploitation course allows obtaining information about the time in which the system was in a state of total or partial capability or in a state of inability to use. Based on information about the amount of time spent in a given state, user of the system or device can plan the operation of the device in the context of the future. On the basis of operating data, operational readiness can also be calculated, which information can be found in the article. The fallowing paper presents the possibilities and conditions of forming operating readiness for full and partial capability states of a ZSŁ (Integrated Communications Systems) with its selected components current serviced at AFIT (Air Force Institute of Technology). A probabilistic approach to the analysis of the issues associated with the determination and prediction of reliability and capability of integrated communications systems was discussed, with the use of the theory of operating states and Markov chains. The assumptions to the adopted method of modelling operating states for electronically integrated ZSŁ type communications systems were presented. Conditions for the determination of operational readiness and the possibility of forming it on the basis of an IT system were presented based on the obtained results of analytical studies. The article also presents the test stand for the integrated communication system. Information on capability of individual system components is also included, an example is based on the SK1 communication server. It's presented graph of transitions between it's individual partial capability states. The server can be in five operating states. By modelling individual components of the system in this way, you can estimate how the system will behave during operation. At the end of the article there is information about the actual and estimated operational readiness of the system.

Full-mission simulators (FMSs) are considered the most critical simulation tool belonging to the flight simulator family. FMSs include a faithful reproduction of fighter aircraft. They are used by armed forces for design, training, and investigation purposes. Due to the criticality of their timing constraints and the high computation cost of the whole simulation, FMSs need to run in a high-performance computing system. Heterogeneous distributed systems are among the leading computing platforms and can guarantee a significant increase in performance by providing a large number of parallel powerful execution resources. One of the most persistent challenges raised by these platforms is the difficulty of finding an optimal mapping of n tasks on m processing elements. The mapping problem is considered a variant of the quadratic assignment problem, in which an exhaustive search cannot be performed. The mapping problem is an NP-hard problem and solving it requires the use of meta-heuristics, and it becomes more challenging when one has to optimize more than one objective with respect to the timing constraints. Multi-objective evolutionary algorithms have proven their efficiency when tackling this problem. Most of the existent works deal with the task mapping by considering either a single objective or homogeneous architectures. Therefore, the main contribution of this paper is a framework based on the model-driven design paradigm allowing us to map a set of intercommunicating real-time tasks making up the FMS model onto the heterogeneous distributed multi-processor system model. We propose a multi-objective approach based on the well-known optimization algorithm “Non-dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm-II” satisfying the tight timing constraints of the simulation and minimizing makespan, communication cost, and memory consumption simultaneously.

Prizadevanje držav za zagotavljanje svetovnega miru je postala prednostna naloga. Trend združenega delovanja enot je vsesplošno prisoten in uveljavljen. Velik razkorak med zmožnostmi in resnično izvedbo združenega delovanja je privedel do tega, da so se začeli povezovati nacionalni sistemi poveljevanja in kontrole na ravni operativnega delovanja. Povezovanje sistemov zahteva predvsem standardizacijo postopkov in opreme, zato standardizacija ni več omejena le na nacionalno raven, temveč mora biti globalna. Sodobni vojaški sistemi poveljevanja in kontrole so usmerjeni v optimalno reševanje nalog. Zgrajeni so mrežno, omogočajo vključevanje sedanjih in prihodnjih modulov ter komunicirajo med seboj brez dodatnih vmesnikov. S pravilnima usklajevanjem in delitvijo resursov pa precej zmanjšamo tudi materialna in finančna sredstva. Ognjena podpora ima v nalogah zagotavljanja miru pomembno vlogo. Velika ognjena moč zagotavlja premoč na bojišču, saj ognjena podpora pomeni skupno in usklajeno uporabo ognjenega delovanja kopenskih, mornariških ter zračnih bojnih sistemov in delovanja ofenzivnih sistemov elektronskega bojevanja ter neubojnih sredstev na cilje na kopnem in morju. Za zagotavljanje takšnega delovanja moramo imeti razvit ustrezen računalniški sistem, ki poveže vse komponente v sistem upravljanja ognjene podpore. V potrditev pomembnosti ognjene podpore je v novejšem času prišlo do izvedbe ra- čunalniškega vmesnika, ki poveže sisteme upravljanja ognjene podpore posameznih držav v celoto in omogoča skupno delovanje. Vmesnik je izveden tako, da obdržimo nacionalne delovne procese. Tako se ni treba dodatno izobraževati in usposabljati. Slovenska vojska sledi globalizacijskim usmeritvam. Dokaz je nabava ustreznega operativnega in taktičnega sistema z možnostjo mednarodne povezave. Žal nekateri sistemi Slovenske vojske nimajo te zmožnosti. Med njimi je sistem upravljanja ognjene podpore. Čeprav je sistem sodoben, brez ustrezne povezave tako v nacionalnem kot mednarodnem okolju izgublja veliko prednosti, zato se na tem področju iščejo nove, ustreznejše rešitve povezav, ki morajo izpolnjevati današnje in prihajajoče zahteve. Prav tako lahko aplikacijo rešitve povzamemo tudi za druge avtonomne sisteme, kot je sistem za zagotavljanje obveščevalnih podatkov ali sistem vodenja logistike. Zavest, da nova standardizacija in mednarodna povezanost ne pomenita povečanja stroškov, temveč kakovostno izboljšanje delovanja in materialno zmanjšanje potrebnih sredstev, naj bo glavno vodilo. The effort of the countries to provide global peace has become a priority. The trend of combined unit operations is universally present and established. A large gap between the potential and actual execution of combined operations has led to the integration of national command and control (C2) systems at the operational level. The integration of systems primarily requires the standardization of procedures and equipment. The standardization is thus no longer limited solely to the national level, but it should be global. Modern C2 systems are directed towards optimal completion of tasks. Built as networks, they allow for the integration of the existing and future modules and for their communication without additional interfaces. With a proper coordination and allocation of resources we also substantially reduce the material and financial resources. Fire support plays an important role in providing security during peace tasks. At the same time, great fire power ensures battlefield superiority, since it includes joint and coordinated use of fire from land, navy and air engagement systems, and offensive operation of electronic warfare systems and non-lethal means against land and sea targets. Such operations require an appropriate computer system which links all the components into a fire support management system. The awareness of the importance of fire support has led to the development of a computer interface, which connects fire support management systems of individu- al countries into a whole and thus enables joint operations. The interface was made in a way to preserve national work processes. Further education and training are therefore not necessary. The Slovenian Armed Forces (SAF) follows the globalization trends. To this end, it has acquired an operational and tactical system capable of international connections. Unfortunately, some SAF systems, namely the fire support management system, do not include this feature. Although the system is a modern one, it loses a great deal of benefits due to the lack of appropriate national and international links. Therefore, new and more appropriate solutions for connections, capable of fulfilling contempo- rary and future requirements, are sought-after. The application of the solution can also be applied to other autonomous systems, such as the intelligence system or the logistics management system. The main principle shall be the awareness that new standardization and international cooperation do not incur increased costs, but rather a quality improvement of the operations and a quan- titative reduction of the required resources.

In a certain perspective, the development of military equipment of military personnel should be aimed at equipping the military units with modern models of small arms that meet the world standards in terms of aiming, range and accuracy of shooting, armor-piercing, ammunition, energy supply, weight indicators etc. The priorities of logistical support are determined by: equipping the personnel with modern combat equipment complexes, which will consist of field uniforms at the level of the best world samples and personal protective equipment, night vision devices, navigation and communication equipment (with the necessary level of energy supply, energy security, security); search for new materials and technologies for the protection of manpower, terrestrial and aerial vehicles (composite nanostructured masking coatings with high thermal conductivity to reduce the likelihood of detection in the infrared spectrum by means of observation, detection, recognition) etc. The Individual Equipment Set of Personnel (IESP) remains one of the most important components that contributes to improving combat effectiveness and reducing personnel losses when performing combat missions. At the present stage of IESP development, priority is given to the creation of advanced systems of defeat, control and communication, protection, life support and energy supply, as well as increased soldier maneuverability in combat at the turn of 2020. A generalized analysis of the main tasks of creating a combat equipment complex (CEC) for the serviceman of the Armed Forces of Ukraine makes it possible to state that the fulfillment of all the intended goals and tasks should be ensured and accompanied by a highly effective system of scientific research and scientific support of the state programs of development of all systems and elements of the CEC. The power supply system and its components (chargers, power supplies, power converters and transmitters, means of controlling the system components) are one of the most important components of equipment. The most important stage of substantiation of the perspective composition of the energy supply system (chargers, power sources, means of transformation and transmission of electricity, means of controlling the performance of system components) in the complexes of combat equipment of military intelligence units is a complex assessment of the contribution to the effectiveness of combat based on mathematical modeling of fighting. According to the basic principles of the system approach, when developing requirements for individual subsystems, it is necessary to proceed from the basic purpose of the whole system as a whole, expressed in terms of its efficiency. This approach to the study of the energy supply system (chargers, power supplies, means of transformation and transmission of power, means of monitoring the performance of system components) in the complexes of military equipment of military intelligence units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine allows to choose rational option from the many options and direct the priority direction of upgrading of power supply system (chargers, power supplies, means of conversion and transmission of electricity, means of controlling work system components) in the complexes of military equipment of military personnel.

This updated issue of the professional publication Bulletin of the Slovenian Armed Forces is dedicated to the question of the Slovenian commitment to finding peaceful solutions to conflicts. As Commander­in­Chief of the Defence Forces of the Republic of Slovenia, I find this subject not only necessary but also entirely essential. There are many reasons for this. The historical experience of the Slovenian people has not always been pleasant regarding the preservation of national identity, manifested in the language as well as in the cultural and national tradition. Despite different repressive and denationalising measures taken by many foreign authorities, our ancestors managed to preserve the Slovenian nation through much wisdom, deep national awareness and political skill. The importance of consistent compliance with the provisions of international law in crisis situations, including wars, was seen in 1991. Slovenia won the war, not only in a military sense but also by complying with all legal norms, thus soon becoming recognised as a young European democratic country founded on high legal and moral principles. The lessons of war in 1991 increased the resolve of the Slovenian people for clear rejection of the use of force in finding solutions to any kind of conflict. For this reason, my pleasure at being invited to write about the topic of Slovenian people in the service of peace is that much greater, in part also due to the fact that I spent a large part of my professional life, from 1992 to 2005, working in the United Nations, first as the ambassador of the Republic of Slovenia, later as UN Assistant Secretary­General. In both functions I dealt with peacekeeping operations to a considerable extent. United Nations peacekeeping operations were in full swing at that time and underwent great development on the one hand, but also bitter disappointment and moments of deep doubt on the other. However, they continued to develop to the current extent. The topic of the Bulletin is presented in truly deep, scientific, theoretical and practical ways, from strategic and tactical levels, considering the evolutionary and transformational characteristics of peacekeeping operations, and deriving from historical experience. The most respected authors in the Slovenian professional field have thrown light upon important conceptual changes in the area of peacekeeping operations, which result from numerous factors, in particular from important geopolitical changes in the world. We must not disregard the increasing cooperation of regional organisations in the implementation of peacekeeping operations, which has indirectly brought about a different understanding of the term “peacekeeping operation” and opened technical discussions in the area of terminology as well as in the technical fulfilment of obligations, all the way to the question of the necessity of a preliminary UN mandate. These deficiencies can also be seen in Slovenia and point to the need for conducting a deep technical discussion as soon as possible and unifying the understanding of both the structure of the Slovenian Armed Forces and the broader defence and security system. The introductory and in particular the more theoretical parts of the Bulletin may be taken as important contributions in this regard. Some of the articles offer interesting historical insight into the cooperation of Slovenian men, and later women, in various endeavours for peace launched by individual great powers and international organisations. Although it is difficult to understand the military intervention of European forces on the island Crete in 1897 as a peacekeeping operation, the objective which is still in the forefront of contemporary efforts of the international community in this area was achieved for at least some time. This intervention ensured an armistice between the parties involved in the conflict and enabled a diplomatic solution on the island without unnecessary victims. The confidence that the highest political and military authorities in the Austro­Hungarian Empire had in the 2nd Battalion of the 87th Infantry Regiment from Celje was truly special. This was particularly the case because the military unit was mainly composed of Slovenes, and at the time of deployment in Crete its commander was a Slovene as well. However, we need to emphasise that such thinking is unconventional. By studying the literature on peacekeeping operations we see that such operations were first mentioned around 1919 in connection with peace conferences after the end of World War I and with managing various border issues in Europe, different plebiscites and other situations which, besides political and other diplomatic action, also required the protection of security and were followed by military operations intended for this particular purpose. History tells us much about peacekeeping operations intended to maintain truces. In these operations, coalition forces were deployed to an area in which a truce already existed and had to be maintained among well organised and disciplined armed forces. Today, the status of armed forces is quite different. We have to look at all of history and every aspect of international military engagement which is not armed combat by nature but a military presence with various aspects of employment of military force and the constant readiness and capability of peace forces to defend themselves effectively and be prepared to use weapons to fulfil their mandate. If today we see peacekeeping operations as valid in this respect, it is clear that we have to be familiar with history and evaluate what we can learn from past experience and how we are obliged to consider the present. Of course, we must consider the present. If we look at the status of peacekeeping operations today, we see how important this military activity is for the modern world. I will only dwell upon the United Nations, which from the standpoint of peacekeeping operations is the most important organisation operating today. Approximately 140,000 soldiers participate in peacekeeping operations under the auspices of the United Nations. No other military force has that number of uniformed personnel operating abroad. These people are assigned to eighteen currently active peacekeeping operations, each costing the organisation about seven billion dollars. This is the largest component of the budget of the United Nations. However, this expenditure is small in comparison to other kinds of military deployment outside the UN, to operations which are not peacekeeping operations by nature. Peacekeeping operations have become very multidimensional. The latest such operations, established in Africa (Darfur, Chad, Central African Republic), have been among the most demanding from the very beginning. We can thus conclude that peacekeeping operations are becoming increasingly more complex, which also results in a higher degree of risk. In 2007, 67 members of UN peacekeeping operations lost their lives. Looking at individual operations we see that six people died in Lebanon alone that year. Ever since peacekeeping operations have been in existence, Lebanon has been one of the most dangerous areas. Today, however, it is somewhat outside the sphere of interest. This may be due to the fact that there is a peacekeeping operation active in the area, on account of which a state of relative peace can be better maintained. Peacekeeping operations are both dangerous and multidimensional, multidimensional because they are no longer focused merely on keeping belligerent parties apart. Modern peacekeeping operations include both standard and supplemental functions. Providing a secure environment for political normalisation, humanitarian activity and development is a comprehensive task, requiring the engagement of peacekeeping forces in operations that are far from being common types of military deployment. This raises different questions about the training and competence of peacekeeping forces. We also have to ask ourselves how we can fully consider the lessons learned from previous peacekeeping operations and organise a system of command, particularly in organisations such as the United Nations, while at the same time making sure that national contingents do not lose their identity. There are thus two lines of communication, one through channels established by international organisations and the other through those established by national systems of armed forces. How to balance this and achieve efficient functioning? How to ensure the operation of different cultures, members and levels of competence in a way that facilitates the success of peacekeeping operations? These are always important questions to consider. In recent years the question of interest has pointed to the complexity of modern peacekeeping operations. Peacekeeping operations are frequently required to facilitate an environment in which elections can be conducted and assist in the establishment of a legal order and institutions to maintain that order. Both tasks are extremely demanding. The establishment of a safe environment for conducting elections in a country with poor communications, with no tradition of elections and with violence linked to every political event, is an extremely difficult task. The establishment of a legal order in areas with no such tradition or adequate infrastructure is even harder. There is often a need to include the civilian police, whose tasks in peacekeeping operations are very demanding. Civilian police have a number of other particularities besides problems connected to the aforementioned multidimensionality. It is necessary to adapt to the local environment in order to facilitate effective police performance. How to facilitate this in an environment such as Haiti, for example, with its difficult past? How to facilitate this in linguistically demanding environments such as East Timor until recently and in other difficult circumstances? These are all extremely demanding tasks. However, there is not much understanding with regard to all the details and problems arising from their implementation. The international political community is often satisfied merely by defining the mandate of a peacekeeping operation. For many people this signifies the solution to the problem, considering that the mandate is defined and that the deployment of forces will occur. However, this is where real problem solving only begins. Only then does it become obvious what little meaning general resolutions of the United Nations Security Council and other acts by which mandates are defined have in the context of actual situations. Therefore, I am of the opinion that we have to take a detailed look at experience from the distant past as well as the present. When speaking of the civilian police we also have to consider the fully human aspects that characterise every peacekeeping operation. Once I spoke to a very experienced leader of civilian police operations about the need to send additional police officers to the mission in Kosovo in the spring, when winter is over and people become more active, which also results in a higher crime rate. He explained that this is not only a problem in the area of this mission but elsewhere in Europe. In spring, the crime rate rises everywhere. Therefore it is difficult to find police officers during this time who are willing to leave their homeland, where they are most needed, and go to a mission area which is just then facing increased needs. I mention this to broaden understanding of the fact that the deployment of peacekeeping forces, both military and civilian police, is not only a matter of mandates and military organisation, but sometimes of the purely elementary questions that accompany social development. I have already mentioned that memory of the past is a very important component of considering present peacekeeping operations. I would like to conclude with another thought. I believe the manner of organising the knowledge of peacekeeping operations is of great importance to all countries, especially those that are new to cooperating in peacekeeping operations. This knowledge cannot be gained from books written at universities, but only from monitoring and carefully analysing the previous experiences of others. It is very important that this knowledge be carefully organised, that these experiences be carefully gathered and analysed, and that a doctrine be developed gradually. This doctrine is required for a country like Slovenia, which is new at conducting peacekeeping operations, to be able to manage well and define its role in international peacekeeping operations properly. To achieve this objective, a new country must cooperate with those countries which have been conducting peacekeeping operations for a long time and therefore have a richer experience. The neighbouring Austria is known to have one of the longest and most interesting systems of experience in peacekeeping operations within the United Nations. Ever since it joined the UN, Austria has been active in numerous activities linked to peacekeeping operations. Its soldiers and the civilian police have participated in a number of peacekeeping operations. Experience gained in this way is of great value, and using this experience is necessary for successful planning of and operating in future peacekeeping operations. The future will be complicated! At one time, when the members of peacekeeping operations numbered approximately 80,000, the United Nations thought that nothing more could be done, and a larger number of members was unthinkable. Today the number of members is significantly larger, development will most likely still continue and conditions will become even more demanding. I do not wish to forecast events which have not yet taken place. However, I would like to strongly emphasise that the history of peacekeeping operations is not over yet and that the future will be full of risks and challenges. I would also again like to stress the importance of this issue of the Bulletin of the Slovenian Armed Forces, which is entering a new decade, and express my pleasure at being able to note down a few thoughts. Let me particularly emphasise that as Commander­in­Chief of the Slovenian Defence Forces I will continue to devote special attention to achievements in the area of cooperation in peacekeeping operations in the future, having a special interest in these experiences. I thank the authors of the articles of this important issue of the Bulletin for their scientific and professional contributions – and I greatly respect those who have already done important work in the name of the Republic of Slovenia with the Slovenian flag on their shoulders, with the hope that they continue to fulfil their obligations in accordance with the rules.

Abstract: Localization, Visibility, Proximity, Detection, Recognition has always been a challenge for surveillance system. These challenges can be felt in the industries where surveillance systems are used like armed forces, technical-agriculture and other such fields. Most of the Smart system available are just for the surveillance of Human intervention but there is a need for a system which can be used for animals as well because with the outburst of human population and symbiotic relationship with wild animals results in life loss and damage to agriculture. In this paper we are designing to overcome these above-mentioned challenges for human and animal-based surveillance system in real time application. The system setup is done on a Raspberry pi integrated with deep-learning models which performs the classification of objects on the frames, then the classified objects is given to a face detection model for further processing. The detected face is relayed to the back-end for feature mapping with the saved log files with containing features of familiar face IDs. Four models were tested for face detection out of which the DNN model performed the best giving an accuracy of 94.88%.The system is also able to send alerts to the admin if any threat is detected with the help of a communication module. Keywords: Deep learning, Raspberry Pi, OpenCV, Image Processing, YOLO, Face Recognition

Introduction/purpose: For the construction of functional mobile radio communication systems today, the trunking systems of digital mobile radio communications are almost exclusively used, the main representative of which is the system with the application of TETRA standards. This article describes the beginnings and historical development of this standard, with the activities of ETSI and TETRA MoU in the fight for the availability and harmonization of the frequency spectrum. Methods: A description of relevant issues of the origin and development of the TETRA 1 standard is given as well as the analysis of the characteristic moments of the innovated TETRA 2 standard. Results: This article describes the beginnings and historical development of this standard, with the activities of ETSI and TETRA MoU in the fight for the availability and harmonization of the frequency spectrum. It also systematize the use of the key TETRA systems in the world and shows its share in the world market by sectors, emphasizing the dilemma of its further development at the crossroads after 25 years of existence. Also, a basic overview of the TETRA 1 standard is given while the basic elements and the principle of its application are described. The innovated TETRA 2 standard and the improvements achieved in the way of data transmission are described in more detail; the process of interoperability certification and, in connection with that, the entry of TETRA into the North American market is emphasized. The parameters selected for advanced data transfer according to the TETRA 2-TEDS standard are presented and analyzed, together with an overview of some limitations during practical application. Conclusion: In the conclusion, the current moment of TETRA is analyzed with a focus on its future after 25 years of development, emohasizing a possibility of modernizing and improving the TETRA network of the Ministry of the Interior of Serbia for the needs of the MoD and the Serbian Armed Forces.

Introduction. In recent years, military conflicts are moving to a fundamentally new level of development, which is associated with the widespread use of geographically distributed large groups of remotely controlled robotic systems, the rapid growth of information volumes, a significant increase in the speed of its processing, instant messaging to increase situational awareness, management, rapid response, etc. Purpose. The article is devoted to solving an urgent scientific problem — the development of an algorithm for state identification of military objects and personnel. The problems of using modern cryptographic algorithms for state identification, which use data obtained by other stations of the air defense system and radio intelligence, combined in a special network, are considered. Results. A new encryption key exchange protocol and a rationale for choosing a cryptographic algorithm that can be used in real-time systems with low computational performance are proposed. To ensure the stability of the use of electronic warfare tools, it is proposed to use software-defined radio stations based on programmable logic matrices as a hardware basis, since they allow changing the type of signal-code structures, which also applies frequency ranges without replacing radio engineering blocks. Conclusions. With the increase in the number of remotely controlled military equipment objects on the battlefield, the problem of positioning military personnel and equipping them with network communication means requires a review of the methods and algorithms used for state recognition. The paper proposes a new algorithm for state identification of objects and identification of military personnel using symmetric cryptographic algorithms and the use of a secure Protocol for exchanging information received from the network of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. This approach can potentially increase the performance and quality of the identification system.

The article considers the development of a heavy-class robotic ground combat system based on the BTR-4E armored personnel carrier. Analysis of samples the heavy class combat robotic ground complexes showed that they can be developed on the basis of serial crewed military vehicles HMMWV (AM General), M-ATV (Oshkosh), BMP-3 (Russia), T-72 (Russia), M113 (Israel), Patria AMV (Finland) or create a new design MDARS (AM General), Black Knight (BAE Systems), "Uran-9" (Russia), TYPE-X (Milrem Robotics). They are made on a tracked or wheeled platform. What unites this class of robotic ground combat systems is a remotely controlled combat module with a 25-30 mm cannon, anti-tank guided missiles, a machine gun and a grenade launcher, which can be controlled from a distance. A comparative analysis of the tactical and technical characteristics the BTR-4E armored personnel carrier with military vehicles with a 30 mm cannon in service with the Armed Forces of Ukraine has been performed. As a result, the choice of BTR-4E armored personnel carrier as the basic crew unit for the construction of a heavy class robotic ground combat system has been substantiated. The analysis of the design of control drives of the power plant, transmission, braking system, steering system and combat module installed on the BTR-4E armored personnel carrier was carried out in terms of the possibility of implementing remote control of movement and fire. The structure of a combat ground robotic complex based on the BTR-4E armored personnel carrier with different variants of remote control panels, means of establishing communication channels and construction of a remote control station is proposed. For example, the driver's remote control panel may be designed on the basis a tablet or on the basis a simulator for full simulation of control commands. Remote controls for the commander and gunner can be designed on the basis of regular controls and be similar to them for quick training of the crew to work. Communication between remote control units and the controlled armored personnel carrier can be arranged using ultrashort-wave radios or via the 4G, 5G mobile network. The remote control point can also be developed on the basis a BTR-4E armored personnel carrier, a military vehicle or deployed on the ground. It depends on the concept of application of the heavy class combat ground robotic complex.

Introduction. At the present stage of developing domestic health care, active processes of informatization of the clinical diagnostic process are taking place. In most regions of the Russian Federation, various medical information systems are actively exploited in medical organizations, digital medical devices and devices are being introduced, which determines the relevance of the formation of a methodology for the use of information technologies in the health care system of military personnel. Materials and methods. The materials of literary sources, bibliographic databases, regulatory documents, research and development work data, materials of military-scientific support of military-medical information systems have been studied. The historical, literary and structural-logical approach, system analysis methods, comparison, composition, and decomposition were used. Results. This study proposes approaches to managing the health of servicemen and a system of its assessment using information technologies. Within the framework of the entire system of medical support for troops at the sectoral level, the ultimate goal of informatization is to construct a single information space for the medical service of the RF Armed Forces. It should be based on the use of unified personal electronic cards of military personnel, a single protected intradepartmental telecommunication network, and medical information systems for various purposes, depending on the level of a medical organization, unit or subdivision. In the informatization of the medical service, it is necessary to distinguish three primary levels, each of which develops its technologies and means of automation: personal (the level of an individual soldier); the level of medical organizations; the systemic level that determines the activities of the entire medical service. A personal electronic card of a serviceman should be used as an individual carrier of passport and medical information in military medical information systems. To decide on the medical and evacuation purpose of a particular patient at the admission and triage department of a medical company, it is necessary to ensure the formation of a protocol of medical and evacuation measures, which includes information from the electronic medical archive, vital activity sensors and medical care accounting systems. Conclusion. The capabilities of information technologies, vital activity sensors, electronic medical archives and communication channels should ensure the collection of relevant information about an individual patient for the needs of the treatment and diagnostic process, even when military medical organizations are deployed at the stages of medical evacuation. The integration of all information systems in the health care system of servicemen into a single information space must be carried out, taking into account the requirements of regional medical information systems and a unified state information system in the field of health.

Abstract The paper presents a new concept, Usability Monitoring, and applies it for situational awareness applications in military Command, Control, Communication, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance systems (C4ISR). Usability Monitoring means taking measurements of technical Quality of Service (QoS) parameters in end systems and comparing them to target values of reference cases. The concept differs from QoS monitoring in the goal and in the placement of measurement points: In QoS monitoring the goal is to verify that the network provides the promised service quality in the user system - network interface. QoS monitoring does not capture the actual end user experience, which is influenced also by the end system, and therefore it does not directly correspond to the service quality that a user sees. Usability Monitoring has exactly this goal. The Observe-Orient-Decide-Act-Loop (OODA) is a decision making concept that is widely used in the network-centric approach and it emphasizes fast decision making. The presented model for Usability Monitoring is based on the OODA-loop. It includes QoS measurements not only in the Act-phase, i.e., can the user perform the actions s/he wants or are there delays and losses that make the system less usable, but also in the Observe-phase, i.e., does the user get the information s/he subscribes to, and in the Orient-phase, i.e., does the user get confusing information and cannot orient, and also the Decide-phase, i.e. is the user able to make right decisions based on the previous steps. The measured technical QoS parameters are connected to user experience by Mean of Score (MOS) functions that are obtained by usability tests. A case study for partially evaluating the Usability Monitoring concept is from MNE5 MSA (Multinational Experimentation 5, Maritime Situational Awareness) Experimentation Event 3 that was conducted in partnership with the Navy Command Finland, Naval Warfare Centre of Sweden and NATO Allied Command Transformation (ACT) and the Singaporean Armed Forces (SAF) Future Systems Directorate. In the MNE5 MSA experimentation we were able to monitor end user experience, how the user sees the services and is able to work with the current tools and capabilities. In this article we describe how Usability Monitoring was addressed in the MNE5 MSA case study: meters for Usability Monitoring were selected and we investigated what aspects of usability affect the phases of the OODA-loop.

The Library Bibliographic Classification (LBC) is the national classification sistem of the Russian Federation. Its support is one of the priority areas of activity of the Russian State Library. The LBC is used in most libraries of the country, fully covering the most numerous groups — public and school libraries, all central libraries of the entities of the Russian Federation, libraries for children and youth, special libraries for the blind and visually impaired persons, libraries of higher educational institutions, libraries of the armed forces of the Russian Federation as well as part of the libraries of the Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS), other systems and authorities.The work with the LBC involves its development as a system of versions and publications (maintaining the standard of the LBC schedules in machine-readable form; timely updating the content and structure of the LBC; preparation, publishing, and distribution of the Abridged, Medium and Complete LBC schedules in printed and machine-readable forms, immediate changes and corrections to the schedules). There is a need for methods to systematise documents on the basis of the LBC, provision of consulting work to the library network of the country (conducting training seminars, publishing recommendations and practical guide-books, conducting operational consulting, using available communication channels); maintaining the system of training and professional development of personnel, etc.Since the 2000s, all areas of scientific and practical activity on the management of the LBC have focused on the task of modernising the national classification system. The paper analyses the system of versions of the LBC which was implemented in the form of various versions of the classification schedules. The identifying features are the title and the year of publication. The main schedules are Complete, Medium, and Abridged schedules which are supplemented with Special ones. The article presents the historical evolution of the system of BC versions depending on the conditions of its functioning. The theoretical justification is given and the problems of practical implementation of the modernisation of the schedules are considered.

Considering the remoteness of the Arctic region, its harsh climatic and geographical characteristics, complex sanitary and epidemiological situation, and peculiarities of a military labor, circulatory system pathologies are expected to significantly contribute to the morbidity structure of the personnel of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation in the Arctic region. A comparative analysis of the occurrence of cardiovascular risk predictors such as: dyslipidemia, tobacco smoking, high blood pressure, abdominal obesity, negative psychosocial factors, poor diet, alcohol consumption, physical inactivity, individual signs of atherosclerosis, and circulatory system diseases in the servicemen of the Arctic region, and temperate climate was performed. The results of the analysis revealed that military service in the climatic and geographic conditions of the Arctic zone is associated with a higher prevalence of the negative psychosocial factors, diet disorders, bad habits, and an arterial hypertension. Negative psychosocial factors included: stress, increased anxiety, and the depression, which are explained by the remoteness and limited communication in the Arctic region and the mainland, poor prospects for the professional career growth and high-quality training of the family members, monotony, and low availability of the leisure activities. The higher prevalence of an arterial hypertension among the arctic servicemen was caused by the newly diagnosed arterial hypertension and a history of arterial hypertension. In a significant proportion of arctic servicemen, low-density lipoprotein values exceed the target values, which ensure the prevention of the atherosclerosis and its complications. This may contribute to the development of the hypertension and coronary heart disease, and requires a more careful selection of servicemen in the Arctic region with mandatory in-depth examinations of the circulatory systems and metabolism, including the electrocardiography, echocardiography, treadmill test, ultrasonography of the brachiocephalic arteries with the determination of the thickness of the intimamedia complex, sphygmomanometer, and determination of the rigidity and biological age of the blood vessels, lipid profiling, and fasting glycemia.

Za učinkovito izvajanje namena in poslanstva Slovenske vojske je najpomembnejša urejenost medsebojnih razmerij znotraj nje. Ta temeljijo na poveljevanju in kontroli z natančno razmejitvijo vloge nadrejenosti in podrejenosti. Osnova učinkovitosti teh vlog je v enostavnosti, da ima vsak podrejeni le enega neposredno nadrejenega ter da vsak nadrejeni daje naloge svojim neposredno podrejenim in nadzoruje njihovo izvajanje. Medsebojna razmerja podrobno opredeljujejo tako vojaški normativni predpisi kot tudi vojaški doktrinarni dokumenti. Kršitve se sankcionirajo. Na strokovnem področju obvladovanja komunikacijsko-informacijskih sistemov se je v zadnjih letih poleg neposredne nadrejenosti začel uporabljati termin strokovna nadrejenost. Čeprav uporabe in namena tega pojma vojaški normativni akti ne urejajo niti ne opredeljujejo, se je sčasoma začel uporabljati tudi v aktih poveljeva- nja in kontrole. Nedorečenost uporabe in njegovo vsesplošno sprejemanje posledič- no povzročata nastajanje novih, neformalnih medsebojnih odnosov. Drugačni med- sebojni odnosi od predvidenih pa so za vojaško organizacijo, katere učinkovitost temelji na rutini, povelju in izvrševanju povelja, lahko vzrok za zmanjševanje njene učinkovitosti. The regulation of mutual relations within the organisation is of ultimate impor- tance for an effective implementation of the purpose and mission of the Slovenian Armed Forces. These relations are based on command and control with precise limi- tations drawn between superiority and subordination. The basic efficiency of these roles lies in the simplicity of each superior having only one immediate subordina- te, assigning tasks to their immediate subordinates and controlling their realisation. Mutual relations are defined in detail in military normative regulations as well as in military doctrinal documents. All breaches are penalised. In the professional field of communication and information system management, the term professional superiority has in the recent years been added to the term immediate superiority. Even though the use and aim of this term are not regulated nor defined by military legal acts, it has eventually been introduced to the acts of command and control. The undefined nature of usage and its general adoption have thus triggered the emergence of new, informal mutual relations. However, mutual relations that differ from those foreseen can reduce the efficiency of a military organisation, where efficiency depends on routine, command and execution of commands.

In the new issue, our scientific journal offers you nine scientific articles. As always, we try to offer a wide variety of topics and areas and follow current trends in the history of science and technology. The issue of the journal opens with an article dedicated to the formation and development of natural history museology in Europe in the 15th–19th centuries. The development of scientific knowledge at that time affects the idea of the world order and the place of man in it, and the combination of knowledge with practical experience leads to the birth of true science. It is shown that one of the most important components of the development of natural sciences, in particular biological sciences, was the collection of naturalia (i.e. objects of natural origin), the rapid surge of interest in which contributed to the Great Geographical Discoveries. In chronological order, the further historical development of museum work from private collections in Italy to the formation of a prototype of a genuine museum, which performs the main museum functions such as amassment, storage and demonstration of collections, is considered. The article by Leonid Griffen and co-authors considers the object and subject of the history of science and technology, its place in the system of sciences. Today, more and more people are turning to the factors that determine the interaction of the society with the environment (productive forces of the society), to study which in the historical aspect and called a special scientific discipline the history of science and technology. The composition and development of the technosphere and noosphere are considered in the article. It is shown that the functioning of the technosphere is based on its interaction with the noosphere, which provides information about the environment and controls the effectiveness of interaction with it. It is formed by combining the mental structures of individuals through sign systems. The production process that ensures the functioning of the society begins with the noosphere, which through individual consciousness controls the actions of each individual, who through the means of production (technosphere) interacts with the natural environment. However, the gradual development of productive forces leads at some point to the fact that the information needed by the individual to perform all necessary actions for the benefit of the society, ceases to fit in his individual consciousness. As a result, there is a new social phenomenon the social division of labor. The cardinal solution to the problem is the prospect of humanity entering infinite space. The article by Jun-Young Oh and Hyesook Han is devoted to the study of what Understanding mathematical abstraction in the formularization of Galileo's law. Galileo's revolution in science introduced an analytical method to science that typifies the overall modern thinking of extracting, abstracting, and grasping only critical aspects of the target phenomena and focusing on “how”, which is a quantitative relationship between variables, instead of “why”. For example, to him, the question of 'why does an object fall' is of no significance; instead, only the quantitative relationship between distance from the falling object and time is important. Yet, the most fundamental aspect of his idea is that he introduced a quantified time t. Because, according to atomic theory, vacuum exists between an atom and an object composed of atoms or between objects – ignoring factors that interfere with motion, such as friction – the space for absolute time, which is a mathematical time, can be geometrically defined. In order to justify this mathematical abstraction strategy, thought experiments were conducted rather than laboratory experiments, which at that time were difficult to perform. The article by Vasyl Andriiashko and co-authors provides a thorough overview of the evolutionary process of the emergence, establishment, and development of the Kyiv school of artistic textiles. It reveals the influence of various factors (ideological, political, economic, and aesthetic) on this process. The historical and factual method allowed us to study socio-economic, as well as historical and cultural factors that contributed to the emergence, establishment, and development of the Kyiv textile school in a chronological sequence. It is established that the very fact of emergence of the Kyiv school of artistic textile, as a community of style, unity of forms, preservation, and continuity of traditions, had unbiased backgrounds since Ukrainian decorative weaving, a part of which is Kyiv weaving, inherited the abundant artistic traditions that were created over the centuries and most vividly manifested through the art of Kyivan Rus. In the next article, the authors Artemii Bernatskyi and Mykola Sokolovskyi is devoted to the study history of military laser technology development in military applications. For better understanding and systematization of knowledge about development of historical applications in the military field, an analysis of publicly known knowledge about their historical applications in the leading world countries was conducted. The study focuses on development that was carried out by the superpowers of the Cold War and the present era, namely the United States, the Soviet Union and the Peoples Republic of China, and were built in metal. Multiple avenues of various applications of laser technology in military applications were studied, namely: military laser rangefinders; ground and aviation target designators; precision ammunition guidance systems; non-lethal anti-personnel systems; systems, designed to disable optoelectronics of military vehicles; as well as strategic and tactical anti-air and missile defense systems. The issues of ethical use of laser weapons and the risks of their use in armed conflicts, which led to an international consensus in the form of conventions of the United Nations and the International Committee of the Red Cross, were also considered. As a result of the analysis, a systematic approach to the classification of applications of laser technology in military products by three main areas of development was proposed: ancillary applications, non-lethal direct action on the human body and optical devices of military equipment, and anti-aircraft and anti-missile defensive systems. The author of the following article considered the front line transporter as the embodiment of the USSR military doctrine in the middle of the 20th century. The paper based on a source analysis of the history of creation, design, and production of LuAZ-967, LuAZ-967M, against the background of the processes of implementing projects of small tactical high mobility wheeled vehicles for the armies of European countries, shows that the developing, testing, and commissioning a front line transporter became a deepening of the process of motorization of the Soviet army. The designs of similar vehicles have been analyzed. An attempt to assess the degree of uniqueness of the front line transporter design and its place in the history of technology, as well as its potential as a reminder of science and technology has been made. An analysis of the front line transporter design, its systems, compared with its foreign counterparts, suggests that it is a Soviet refinement of the concept of a small army vehicle, a more specific means directly for the battlefield. At the same time, it was developed taking into account foreign developments and similar designs, imitating individual designs, adapting to the capabilities of the USSR automotive industry. The next article is devoted to the study, generalization and systematization of scientific knowledge about the history of the establishment, development and operation of the regional railway system in Bukovyna in the second half of XIX – early XX centuries. The authors attempted to analyze the process of creation and operation of railways in Bukovyna during the reign of the Austro-Hungarian Empire based on a wide range of previously unpublished archival documents, periodicals, statistical literature and memoirs. The article studies the development of organizational bases for the construction of railways, the activity of the communication network management, lists a whole range of requirements and tasks set for railway transport in Bukovyna, the progress of their implementation, considers successes and difficulties in this work. The purpose of the article by authors Sana Simou, Khadija Baba and Abderrahman Nounah is to reveal, recreate as accurately as possible the characteristics of an archaeological site or part of it. The restoration and conservation of monuments and archaeological sites is a delicate operation. It requires fidelity, delicacy, precision and archaeological authenticity. Research during the last two decades has proved that 3D modeling, or the digital documentation and visualization of archaeological objects in 3D, is valuable for archaeological research. The study has opted for the technique of terrestrial and aerial photogrammetry by 3D surveys of architectural elements, to develop an archetype of the deteriorated Islamic Marinid site (a dynasty between the 13th and 15th centuries), and the Roman site (25 BC), located at the Chellah archaeological site in Rabat and Salé cities. The data acquired build an architectural database to archive and retrieve the entire existing architecture of monuments. This study has been completed by photogrammetrists, architects, and restorers. The issue of the journal ends with an article devoted to the analyzing the prerequisites and conditions for the foundation of an aircraft engine enterprise in Ukraine. Based on the retrospective analysis, the prerequisites and conditions of the foundation of the aircraft engine enterprise in Aleksandrovsk, Ukraine, were considered. There was a severe gap between the Russian Empire and European countries in the development pace of the aviation industry during World War I. This prompted the Russian Empire to raise foreign capital, as well as attract technologies and specialists to develop aircraft engineering and other industries. By 1917, the plant had gained the status of Russia’s largest engine-building enterprise in terms of building area and one of the best in equipment. It is evident that the beginning of aircraft engine production in Aleksandrovsk relates to the establishment of a branch of Petrograd Joint Stock Company of Electromechanical Structures and the plant’s purchase from the Moznaim brothers. We hope that everyone will find interesting useful information in the new issue. And, of course, we welcome your new submissions.

It was the Canadian philosopher Marshall McLuhan who first introduced the term ‘global village’ into the lexicon, almost fifty years ago. He was referring to the phenomenon of global interconnectedness of which we are all too aware today. At that time, we were witnessing the world just opening up. In 1946, British Airways had commenced a twice weekly service from London to New York. The flight involved one or two touch downs en-route and took a scheduled 19 hours and 45 minutes. By the time McLuhan had published his book “Understanding media; the extensions of man”, there were regular services by jet around the globe. London to Sydney was travelled in just under 35 hours. Moving forward to a time immediately pre-covid, there were over 30 non-stop flights a day in each direction between London and New York. The travel time from London to Sydney had been cut by a third, to slightly under 22 hours, with just one touchdown en-route. The world has well and truly ‘opened up’. No place is unreachable by regular services. But that is just one part of the picture. In 1962, the very first live television pictures were transmitted across the Atlantic, via satellite. It was a time when sports’ fans would tune in besides a crackling radio set to hear commentary of their favourite game relayed from the other side of the world. Today of course, not only can we watch a live telecast of the Olympic Games in the comfort of our own homes wherever the games are being held, but we can pick up a telephone and talk face to face with friends and relatives in real time, wherever they may be in the world. To today’s generation – generation Z – this does not seem in the least bit remarkable. Indeed, they have been nicknamed ‘the connected generation’ precisely because such a degree of human interconnectedness no longer seems worth commenting on. The media technology and the transport advances that underpin this level of connectedness, have become taken for granted assumptions to them. This is why the global events of 2020 and the associated public health related reactions, have proved to be so remarkable to them. It is mass travel and the closeness and variety of human contact in day-to-day interactions, that have provided the breeding ground for the pandemic. Consequently, moving around and sharing close proximity with many strangers, have been the activities that have had to be curbed, as the initial primary means to manage the spread of the virus. This has caused hardship to many, either through the loss of a job and the associated income or, the lengthy enforced separation from family and friends – for the many who find themselves living and working far removed from their original home. McLuhan’s powerful metaphor was ahead of its time. His thoughts were centred around media and electronic communications well prior to the notion of a ‘physical’ pandemic, which today has provided an equally potent image of how all of our fortunes have become intertwined, no matter where we sit in the world. Yet it is this event which seems paradoxically to have for the first time forced us to consider more closely the path of progress pursued over the last half century. It is as if we are experiencing for the first time the unleashing of powerful and competing forces, which are both centripetal and centrifugal. On the one hand we are in a world where we have a World Health Organisation. This is a body which has acted as a global force, first declaring the pandemic and subsequently acting in response to it as a part of its brief for international public health. It has brought the world’s scientists and global health professionals together to accelerate the research and development process and develop new norms and standards to contain the spread of the coronavirus pandemic and help care for those affected. At the same time, we have been witnessing nations retreating from each other and closing their borders in order to restrict the interaction of their citizens with those from other nations around the world. We have perceived that danger and risk are increased by international travel and human to human interaction. As a result, increasingly communication has been carried out from the safety and comfort of one’s own home, with electronic media taking the place of personal interaction in the real world. The change to the media dominated world, foreseen by McLuhan a half century ago, has been hastened and consolidated by the threats posed by Covid 19. Real time interactions can be conducted more safely and more economically by means of the global reach of the internet and the ever-enhanced technologies that are being offered to facilitate that. Yet at a geopolitical level prior to Covid 19, the processes of globalism and nationalism were already being recognised as competing forces. In many countries, tensions have emerged between those who are benefitting from the opportunities presented by the development of free trade between countries and those who are invested in more traditional ventures, set in their own nations and communities. The emerging beneficiaries have become characterised as the global elites. Their demographic profile is one associated with youth, education and progressive social ideas. However, they are counter-balanced by those who, rather than opportunities, have experienced threats from the disruptions and turbulence around them. Among the ideas challenged, have been the expected certainties of employment, social values and the security with which many grew up. Industries which have been the lifeblood of their communities are facing extinction and even the security of housing and a roof over the heads of self and family may be under threat. In such circumstances, some people may see waves of new immigrants, technology, and changing social values as being tides which need to be turned back. Their profile is characterised by a demographic less equipped to face such changes - the more mature, less well educated and less mobile. Yet this tension appears to be creating something more than just the latest version of the generational divide. The recent clashes between Republicans and Democrats in the US have provided a very potent example of these societal stresses. The US has itself exported some of these arenas of conflict to the rest of the world. Black lives Matter and #Me too, are social movements with their foundation in the US which have found their way far beyond the immediate contexts which gave them birth. In the different national settings where these various tensions have emerged, they have been characterised through labels such as left and right, progressive and traditional, the ‘haves’ versus the ‘have nots’ etc. Yet common to all of this growing competitiveness between ideologies and values is a common thread. The common thread lies in the notion of competition itself. It finds itself expressed most potently in the spread and adoption of ideas based on what has been termed the neoliberal values of the free market. These values have become ingrained in the language and concepts we employ every day. Thus, everything has a price and ultimately the price can be represented by a dollar value. We see this process of commodification around us on a daily basis. Sports studies’ scholars have long drawn attention to its continuing growth in the world of sport, especially in situations when it overwhelms the human characteristics of the athletes who are at the very heart of sport. When the dollar value of the athlete and their performance becomes more important than the individual and the game, then we find ourselves at the heart of some of the core problems reported today. It is at the point where sport changes from an experience, where the athletes develop themselves and become more complete persons experiencing positive and enriching interactions with fellow athletes, to an environment where young athletes experience stress and mental and physical ill health as result of their experiences. Those who are supremely talented (and lucky?) are rewarded with fabulous riches. Others can find themselves cast out on the scrap heap as a result of an unfair selection process or just the misfortune of injury. Sport as always, has proved to be a mirror of life in reflecting this process in the world at large, highlighting the heights that can be climbed by the fortunate as well as the depths that can be plumbed by the ill-fated. Advocates of the free-market approach will point to the opportunities it can offer. Figures can show that in a period of capitalist organised economies, there has been an unprecedented reduction in the amount of poverty in the world. Despite rapid growth in populations, there has been some extraordinary progress in lifting people out of extreme poverty. Between 1990 and 2010, the numbers in poverty fell by half as a share of the total population in developing countries, from 43% to 21%—a reduction of almost 1 billion people (The Economist Leader, June 1st, 2013). Nonetheless the critics of capitalism will continue to point to an increasing gap between the haves and don’t haves and specifically a decline in the ‘middle classes’, which have for so long provided the backbone of stable democratic societies. This delicate balance between retreating into our own boundaries as a means to manage the pandemic and resuming open borders to prevent economic damage to those whose businesses and employment depend upon the continuing movement of people and goods, is one which is being agonised over at this time in liberal democratic societies around the world. The experience of the pandemic has varied between countries, not solely because of the strategies adopted by politicians, but also because of the current health systems and varying social and economic conditions of life in different parts of the world. For many of us, the crises and social disturbances noted above have been played out on our television screens and websites. Increasingly it seems that we have been consuming our life experiences in a world dominated by our screens and sheltered from the real messiness of life. Meanwhile, in those countries with a choice, the debate has been between public health concerns and economic health concerns. Some have argued that the two are not totally independent of each other, while others have argued that the extent to which they are seen as interrelated lies in the extent to which life’s values have themselves become commodified. Others have pointed to the mental health problems experienced by people of all ages as a result of being confined for long periods of time within limited spaces and experiencing few chances to meet with others outside their immediate household. Still others have experienced different conditions – such as the chance to work from home in a comfortable environment and be freed from the drudgery of commuting in crowded traffic or public transport. So, at a national/communal level as well as at an individual level, this international crisis has exposed people to different decisions. It has offered, for many, a chance to recalibrate their lives. Those who have the resources, are leaving the confines of the big capital cities and seeking a healthier and less turbulent existence in quieter urban centres. For those of us in what can be loosely termed ‘an information industry’, today’s work practices are already an age away from what they were in pre-pandemic times. Yet again, a clear split is evident. The notion of ‘essential industries’ has been reclassified. The delivery of goods, the facilitation of necessary purchase such as food; these and other tasks have acquired a new significance which has enhanced the value of those who deliver these services. However, for those whose tasks can be handled via the internet or offloaded to other anonymous beings a readjustment of a different kind is occurring. So to the future - for those who have suffered ill-health and lost loved ones, the pandemic only reinforces the human priority. Health and well-being trumps economic health and wealth where choices can be made. The closeness of human contact has been reinforced by the tales of families who have been deprived of the touch of their loved ones, many of whom still don’t know when that opportunity will be offered again. When writing our editorial, a year ago, I little expected to be still pursuing a Covid related theme today. Yet where once we were expecting to look back on this time as a minor hiccough, with normal service being resumed sometime last year, it has not turned out to be that way. Rather, it seems that we have been offered a major reset opportunity in the way in which we continue to progress our future as humans. The question is, will we be bold enough to see the opportunity and embrace a healthier more equitable more locally responsible lifestyle or, will we revert to a style of ‘progress’ where powerful countries, organisations and individuals continue to amass increased amounts of wealth and influence and become increasingly less responsive to the needs of individuals in the throng below. Of course, any retreat from globalisation as it has evolved to date, will involve disruption of a different kind, which will inevitably lead to pain for some. It seems inevitable that any change and consequent progress is going to involve winners and losers. Already airline companies and the travel industry are putting pressure on governments to “get back to normal” i.e. where things were previously. Yet, in the shadow of widespread support for climate activism and the extinction rebellion movement, reports have emerged that since the lockdowns air pollution has dropped dramatically around the world – a finding that clearly offers benefits to all our population. In a similar vein the impossibility of overseas air travel in Australia has resulted in a major increase in local tourism, where more inhabitants are discovering the pleasures of their own nation. The transfer of their tourist and holiday dollars from overseas to local tourist providers has produced at one level a traditional zero-sum outcome, but it has also been accompanied by a growing appreciation of local citizens for the wonders of their own land and understanding of the lives of their fellow citizens as well as massive savings in foregone air travel. Continuing to define life in terms of competition for limited resources will inevitably result in an ever-continuing run of zero-sum games. Looking beyond the prism of competition and personal reward has the potential to add to what Michael Sandel (2020) has termed ‘the common good’. Does the possibility of a reset, offer the opportunity to recalibrate our views of effort and reward to go beyond a dollar value and include this important dimension? How has sport been experiencing the pandemic and are there chances for a reset here? An opinion piece from Peter Horton in this edition, has highlighted the growing disconnect of professional sport at the highest level from the communities that gave them birth. Is this just another example of the outcome of unrestrained commodification? Professional sport has suffered in the pandemic with the cancelling of fixtures and the enforced absence of crowds. Yet it has shown remarkable resilience. Sport science staff may have been reduced alongside all the auxiliary workers who go to make up the total support staff on match days and other times. Crowds have been absent, but the game has gone on. Players have still been able to play and receive the support they have become used to from trainers, physiotherapists and analysts, although for the moment there may be fewer of them. Fans have had to rely on electronic media to watch their favourites in action– but perhaps that has just encouraged the continuing spread of support now possible through technology which is no longer dependent on personal attendance through the turnstile. Perhaps for those committed to the watching of live sport in the outdoors, this might offer a chance for more attention to be paid to sport at local and community levels. Might the local villagers be encouraged to interrelate with their hometown heroes, rather than the million-dollar entertainers brought in from afar by the big city clubs? To return to the village analogy and the tensions between global and local, could it be that the social structure of the village has become maladapted to the reality of globalisation? If we wish to retain the traditional values of village life, is returning to our village a necessary strategy? If, however we see that today the benefits and advantages lie in functioning as one single global community, then perhaps we need to do some serious thinking as to how that community can function more effectively for all of its members and not just its ‘elites’. As indicated earlier, sport has always been a reflection of our society. Whichever way our communities decide to progress, sport will have a place at their heart and sport scholars will have a place in critically reflecting the nature of the society we are building. It is on such a note that I am pleased to introduce the content of volume 43:1 to you. We start with a reminder from Hoyoon Jung of the importance of considering the richness provided by a deep analysis of context, when attempting to evaluate and compare outcomes for similar events. He examines the concept of nation building through sport, an outcome that has been frequently attributed to the conduct of successful events. In particular, he examines this outcome in the context of the experiences of South Africa and Brazil as hosts of world sporting events. The mega sporting event that both shared was the FIFA world cup, in 2010 and 2014 respectively. Additional information could be gained by looking backwards to the 1995 Rugby World Cup in the case of South Africa and forward to the 2016 Olympics with regard to Brazil. Differentiating the settings in terms of timing as well as in the makeup of the respective local cultures, has led Jung to conclude that a successful outcome for nation building proved possible in the case of South Africa. However, different settings, both economically and socially, made it impossible for Brazil to replicate the South African experience. From a globally oriented perspective to a more local one, our second paper by Rafal Gotowski and Marta Anna Zurawak examines the growth and development, with regard to both participation and performance, of a more localised activity in Poland - the Nordic walking marathon. Their analysis showed that this is a locally relevant activity that is meeting the health-related exercise needs of an increasing number of people in the middle and later years, including women. It is proving particularly beneficial as an activity due to its ability to offer a high level of intensity while reducing the impact - particularly on the knees. The article by Petr Vlček, Richard Bailey, Jana Vašíčková XXABSTRACT Claude Scheuer is also concerned with health promoting physical activity. Their focus however is on how the necessary habit of regular and relevant physical activity is currently being introduced to the younger generation in European schools through the various physical education curricula. They conclude that physical education lessons, as they are currently being conducted, are not providing the needed 50% minimum threshold of moderate to vigorous physical activity. They go further, to suggest that in reality, depending on the physical education curriculum to provide the necessary quantum of activity within the child’s week, is going to be a flawed vision, given the instructional and other objectives they are also expected to achieve. They suggest implementing instead an ‘Active Schools’ concept, where the PE lessons are augmented by other school-based contexts within a whole school programme of health enhancing physical activity for children. Finally, we step back to the global and international context and the current Pandemic. Eric Burhaein, Nevzt Demirci, Carla Cristina Vieira Lourenco, Zsolt Nemeth and Diajeng Tyas Pinru Phytanza have collaborated as a concerned group of physical educators to provide an important international position statement which addresses the role which structured and systematic physical activity should assume in the current crisis. This edition then concludes with two brief contributions. The first is an opinion piece by Peter Horton which provides a professional and scholarly reaction to the recent attempt by a group of European football club owners to challenge the global football community and establish a self-governing and exclusive European Super League. It is an event that has created great alarm and consternation in the world of football. Horton reflects the outrage expressed by that community and concludes: While recognising the benefits accruing from well managed professionalism, the essential conflict between the values of sport and the values of market capitalism will continue to simmer below the surface wherever sport is commodified rather than practised for more ‘intrinsic’ reasons. We conclude however on a more celebratory note. We are pleased to acknowledge the recognition achieved by one of the members of our International Review Board. The career and achievements of Professor John Wang – a local ‘scholar’- have been recognised in his being appointed as the foundation E.W. Barker Professor in Physical Education and Sport at the Nanyang Technological University. This is a well-deserved honour and one that reflects the growing stature of the Singapore Physical Education and Sports Science community within the world of International Sport Studies. John Saunders Brisbane, June 2021

AbstractThe phrase ‘never let a good crisis go to waste’ is often (mis)attributed to Winston Churchill. It expresses the common perception that the sentiments evoked by crisis can be used to manipulate power relations and strategically reposition influence. Although crises can arise from tangible, objectively catastrophic external events, governmental responses to crises are accompanied by processes of framing—construction, interpretation, and communication to the community subject to governance. The framing and management of crises can contribute to the expansion of regulatory scope. Moreover, the process of scaffolding regulatory legitimacy during times of crisis involves deployment and amplification of techniques of governance such as the use of data and expert knowledge, risk management, responsibilisation, and dispersal (or non-dispersal) of funds. In political systems that have adopted neoliberalist forms, these techniques of governance cascade from state-administered functions, such as policing, health, armed forces, and emergency services, to local communities, employers, and consumers. In this way we find responsibility devolved and detached from political decision-making and, more importantly, from democratic legitimacy. Dispersed governing mechanisms steer individual practices towards certain ends so that, rather than suffering the removal of the capacity for decision-making, individuals willingly abandon it. This article explores the intersection between regulation and justice and the methods of framing crises to legitimise governance actions where those actions constrain human rights and justice claims. Analysing Australian state and federal governmental and non-governmental actions during the COVID pandemic, it will use a case study method to assert that performative compliance activity is amongst the suite of sophisticated techniques to legitimise decisions made in circumstances of crisis, even when those decisions cross traditional normative boundaries, implicitly diminishing claims to legitimacy based on democratic discourse. This article will focus on two events: the decision to ‘lock down’ community housing towers, and the decision to arrest and charge with incitement a pregnant woman for starting a Facebook post to encourage breach of lockdown restrictions. Both decisions prompted expressions of concern by civil rights groups and lawyers that human rights had been breached.

Studying and analyzing the world’s promising areas of technological development of the armament and military equipment (AME) field is an urgent task of ensuring comprehensive long-term planning for the development of military equipment, organizing scientific research, strategic planning for the development of the national armed forces and ensurineas of technological development of a military nature, which include aerospace, information and communication technologies, technologies for communication and image transmission systems, vehicle traffic control systems, smart, intelligent, high-energy hypersonic weapons, ammunition with several warheads, and individual security systems, etc. Ukraine’s place in this process, unused reserves and threats are shown. The conclusion is drawn about the formation of science. Intellectual property analytical materials were provided and definition was given.

We have prepared a new issue of Contemporary Military Challenges. I am well aware that there are many topical texts and media information that catch the eye of Slovenian public more than military and defence-related subjects. This is complete- ly understandable, since we feel safe in our country, while the security situation in other parts of the world is significantly different. In those remote unstable regions, the Slovenian Armed Forces comes into play as one of NATO, EU or UN members contributing to international peace and stability. The Slovenian Armed Forces work in the service of their country. We remain fai- thfully on our track, performing our duties and fulfilling the military mission to the best of our abilities. Some of our colleagues wrote in the Doctrine of the Slovenian Armed Forces that the values of the Slovenian Armed Forces are a driving force of mission implementation. They result from general civilization values, values of Slovenian society and the nature of military operations. We often like boast about the results of the Slovenian public opinion research regarding the trust of citizens in Slovenian institutions, according to which the Slovenian Armed Forces have ranked among the highest since 2005. Moreover, since 2010, the Slovenian Armed Forces has been on top. Indeed, such an outcome can be attributed to the fact that the rate of trust in other institutions has declined. Nevertheless, it is important that the proportion of those who trust the Slovenian Armed Forces has over the past two years remained constant or even increased. I am aware that the results of the Public Opinion and Mass Communication Research Centre at the Faculty of Social Sciences are only one of the mirrors showing our quality, but this is enough to remain optimistic regarding our future work. Values are therefore an important part of the functioning of the Slovenian Armed Forces work, the state and the society. Throughout the history, they have often been put to the test and it seems so today as well. Jasna Fedran wrote an article Basic ethical terms – an attempt to make a review of (un)ethical conduct where she introduces the values that challenged discussions with Aristotle, Thomas Aquinas and many others in the past and today. Her text will reveal more about the findings. A lot has been written about contemporary security challenges and changes that remain a constant and incite new security threats. In his article, Analysis of NATO 2010 strategic concept, Aljaž Fabjan describes how the Alliance defined it responses to threats around the world and what are its priorities. The article Participation of Slovenian Armed Forces in international operations and missions in light of the foreign policy of the Republic of Slovenia by Branko Podbrežnik highlights international, political and legal frameworks that affect and define the functioning of the Slovenian Armed Forces in the turbulent international environment. Srečko Zajc in his article The role of civilian experts in international operations and missions – Slovenian lessons learned in PRT – ISAF, Afghanistan shared with us his experience from the operation of Slovenian civil military experts in that part of the world. Cross-border education and risk to national security is a topic which inspired the writing of Valentina Jošt Lešer, who among other things discusses what brain drain means for national security. Impact of human resource management on the enhancement of security culture in corporate security environment was discussed by Karmen and Denis Čaleta. Security culture is therefore a value in organizations that are strongly linked and dependent on the leadership and management. Bojan Zevnik has shared some of his experiences and suggestions, which he considers to be able to contribute to the improving of the quality of action. They are presented in the article Professional superiority in the management of communicati- on and information systems in the Slovenian Armed Forces. Despite the high intensity of daily events at work and privately, we kindly invite all who are interested in defense and military contents to write, especially in our future issues. In 2013, we celebrate the fifteenth anniversary of Contemporary Military Challenges (formerly Bulletin of the Slovenian Armed Forces).

Abstract Background Local contact tracing teams needed to be reinforced in preparation for a peak in Covid-19 cases. The Portuguese Armed Forces showed availability and their members initiated a formal training facilitated by the Public Health Unit (PHU) of Amadora. Health systems must be prepared to respond to all threats, as the COVID-19 pandemic showed us the need for quick task shifting and the training of non-experts’ workers. Objectives The aim of the project was to develop contact tracing skills by non-health professionals, in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. The training program was held online, with a total duration of 48 hours, distributed by the topics described: introduction to health and epidemiology concepts, the national guidelines, and the information systems (13h). We privileged demonstrative and participatory training methods, followed by continuous supervision of each contact tracing survey and constant feedback (35h). Learning support materials were sent out to assist the trainees, including written and video support. Results More than 200 personnel - sailors, soldiers and airmen - were trained. Each Lisbon and Tagus Valley area PHU was reinforced with a team of military professionals in order to support the contact tracing process, with an increase in the number of surveys completed. We highlight as positive aspects: increased number of contact tracing surveys carried out; growth of inter-institutional partnerships; freeing up of specialized PHU resources to other important tasks. As for negative aspects we focus on the complexity in health communication, the limited time for training, and the lack of specific health knowledge of the trainees. Conclusions This pandemic revealed the Portuguese need for a transdisciplinary approach in the provision of care, specially at a Public Health level. Training programs like these highlight the vital role of reshaping and reorganizing the healthcare workforce answering Public Health necessities. Key messages • Training programs for non-health workers must be prepared to reinforce health systems when necessary. The reinforcement of contact tracing teams by the Portuguese Armed Forces was a great example. • A transdisciplinary approach in the provision of care was essential during the COVID-19 pandemic. Specific training of non-health workers can be planned in time to respond to health threats.

The article considers the issue of creating cognitive information technology to support the implementation of NATO standards, which is also inherent in the means of communication of modern telecommunications systems in the Armed Forces of Ukraine and other components of the security and defense sector of Ukraine. It is noted that assessing the state of implementation of NATO standards is a rather complex and important process that requires the analysis of a large amount of poorly structured and unstructured information with varying degrees of restriction of access, which greatly complicates its analysis and processing. The effective use of information technology to solve these problems directly depends on the level of interaction between information processes. The nature of the interaction between them determines their network orientation, and in the environment of the system should be used tools that use information resources from different fields of knowledge. A number of problems have been identified, which are the redundancy, complexity and irrelevance of the regulatory framework in the field of defense; obsolescence of standards and their incompatibility with modern systems, etc. To eliminate them, it is proposed to use cognitive information technology with elements of artificial intelligence, and to assess the state of implementation of standards, it is proposed to use the method of recursive reduction. This method will be used both for structuring and for forming ontologies based on them. A further direction of research initiated in this article is the introduction of the proposed cognitive information technology in the activities of the governing bodies of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and other components of the security and defense sector.

ABSTRACT The coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic continues to be a threat to global health, including the health of deployed armed forces. Servicemembers had to adjust to the “new normal” while maintaining the interests of the nation’s security as well as that of our host nation partners. This commentary examines how Special Operations Forces operating within four different regions worldwide leveraged the challenges presented by the onset of this pandemic in maintaining stability, sustaining a ready force, and operating forward deployed. Deployed forces face constant difficulties with logistical support, varied medical resources access and a medical system predominantly focused on trauma care. At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic there was little guidance specific to these circumstances which required an improvised adaptation of the recommendations set by national and Department of Defense medical authorities. Plans were constantly revised to match the ever changing medical and operational environment. Strategies such as the “Bubble Philosophy” and tiered force protection measures helped our units to maintain a rigorous training cycle. New methods of communication and training with our host nation partners such as the use of Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) platforms to survey host nation training became standard. Through these measures all of our forces were able to maintain operational capacity, protect the force, and maintain rapport with the host nations. We hope these experiences will provide a rough framework for future forces faced with a similar struggle. We also want to stress that challenges vary depending on the area of operations and the pathogen responsible for the pandemic. Any feedback and collaboration that may come from this work is appreciated and encouraged.

It is no surprise that just like the previous years, this year as well China has expanded its military budget, put another ship to sea, demonstrated new weaponary at the military parade, etc. For the last two decades, all the combat arms of the Chinese army has been developing at a high rate. Many authors claim very specific reasons for the Chinese armaments especially highlighting the conflicts with its immediate neighbors. From a geopolitical point of view, an interesting balance of power is being formed in the East. It’s been several years now that there are some precise problems in China-Japan conflict related to the power over some islands. China actively builds artificial islands which can serve as military bases far away from its shores approximately at an operative depth. And this matter deeply concerns the Philippines and Vietnam. In this light, it would be very interesting to study the balance of forces in the region and to analyze the American military doctrine on the one hand and the Chinese specific military and military-political attempts to appose it on the other hand. It is common knowledge that in political and professional circles in the USA are concerned about the actions and capabilities of China and Russia, which can considerably restrict the US access to key regions of Eurasia: Today, China and Russia have great potential to influence on the traditional American Net-platform weaponary, Air Forces, Navy, command and control networks, and even the orbital groupings. The two countries mentioned above, which are perceived as potential adversaries in the USA, strive to reach the level of the American military by all possible means and develop powerful techonologies. Russia and especially China are designing powerful satellite systems, various long-range missiles, fighter jets, UAVs, etc. New Electronic Warfare (EW) systems are being developed, to suppress or weaken the command and management systems of the US or its allies. The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) of China also has the capacity to destroy settelites, disrupt extraterrestrial intelligence, wreck command and control networks, etc. According to experts, there is no guarantee that the armed forces of the USA can ensure reliable and secure communication and conncetion during conflicts on the theater of military operations, in particular on operational and strategic levels.