Complex Networks

Program Description

Networks are pervasive to the U.S. Air Force and DOD operations. They occur at multiple hierarchies of scale (networks-of-networks), and involve multiple types of structure, data, and functionality. For example, communication and computer networks are intimately coupled to logistical and resource networks; depending on the topology, failure of critical nodes in one can trigger failure in the other, and a cascade event with potentially catastrophic consequence. Networks describe the fundamentally structural aspect of interactions between individual agents, and network science possesses universal qualities that allows it to analyze dynamics, stability, and design optimization for a wide variety of problems, e.g.: cyber-networks, logistics, complex engineered systems, socio-economic behavior, epidemiology, ecology, etc. Even individual platforms such as modern aircrafts are very complex assemblies of a large number of components, interacting with each other via physical coupling or information exchange, in a network. The software system in these platforms is, on its own, a complex network. Multiple aircrafts operating in synchrony with each other and coupled to global communication and ISR platforms form a higher-level network. As operational strategies increasingly shift towards un-manned platforms with increasing levels of autonomy, the network complexity increases and its scalability, optimization, stability and robustness become even more critically important considerations for the Air Force. This portfolio is aimed at fundamental, mathematical approaches to study, understand, analyze and design complex networks at multiple scales. Only innovative approaches with far-reaching potential, agnostic to the information content or specifics of the information processing, will be considered of interest. The networks of interest will have arbitrary topologies and heterogeneous nodes and data types, will have dynamical properties on multiple time scales, and will be subject to uncertain conditions, ranging from a stochastic environment to deliberate adversarial actions affecting both nodes and links. Applications range from any type of complex, engineering network to natural, physical, chemical, socio-economical, biological and neurological networks.

Solicitation
BAA

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Contact Information
Dr. Tristan Nguyen
AFRL/AFOSR/RTB-1
Email: complex-networks@us.af.mil