Atmospheric Interceptor Technology (AIT) Program
Raytheon Systems Company
Advanced Weapons Group

Developed algorithms, tools, and software for rapid development of AIT ballistic missile interceptor.

• Using Rippen development environment, created algorithm modules specialized for dynamic spatial filtering and the preparation of imagery for temporal analysis.
• Created highly specialized code to split and make parallel filters and algorithms across multiple processors meeting real-time speed requirements.
• Developed an application providing visualization from the seeker including tracked and targeted objects. Used for demonstration in final military reviews.

The AIT Seeker software project was a rapid development program in which algorithms were designed concurrently with implementation. The goal of the program was to revolutionize the development of endoatmospheric interceptors by providing a demonstrator for the design of a common kill vehicle that could be mounted an all missile defense interceptors. Due to changes within the company, a major loss of personnel occurred greatly affecting the AIT program. I was brought into the small group that remained, and we were given the task of producing a working tracker-seeker system to meet multiple milestones and critical military reviews.

The project employed Rippen, a C based development platform that allowed for hardware abstraction, flexible Object Oriented adjustments, and real time visualization of data and algorithm flow. I began by compiling my own algorithm modules, specialized in dynamic spatial filtering and the preparation if imagery for temporal analysis. In order to increase processing speed to real-time, I wrote specialized code to split and make parallel all filters and algorithms across multiple processors, also taking into account the cost of processor to processor paths and over the Mercury RACEway architecture.

In conjunction with lead physicists, I performed exhaustive verification of physical models to ensure integrity of results. All data of each 12 second missile simulation was stored in a SQL-queriable database. While this was ideal for data retrieval and report generation, it was not as useful for debugging or demonstration. Seeing a need for proper visualization, I developed an application which provided visual from the seeker overlayed with symbology of tracked objects and target selections. The resulting "movies" were not only a means for verification and debugging, but an important demonstration tool for military reviews.

Within less than a year, we had met our goals. In a company of approximately 127,000, making a difference as a non-managerial employee was extremely gratifying. Raytheon was not only appreciative but also surprised at the success, given the nature of the project, the time frame, and rapid development requirements. Although I had been promised to a "black" project elsewhere, I was extended a generous invitation to join the ongoing AIT program in Tucson, Arizona. But it was not to be. Family obligations led us back to Oklahoma. I look back with pride at my time with the AIT program, and thank them for the challenge and the opportunity to make such a contribution.