Powerpoint File:
Challenge: RAF Fylingdales needed to cost-effectively upgrade its 30-year-old satellite-position system to speed data retrieval, analysis, and dissemination with little transition and training time.
Solution: Operators and engineers used AGI’s commercial off-the-shelf STK Engine software to integrate AGI’s physics-based geometry engine with the RAF’s legacy hardware system to mitigate cost and increase productivity.
Results: Operators now produce and disseminate results in two hours rather than two days—a 95% time reduction; training took 30 minutes on average; and the center became operational in six months at 90% less cost than previously attempted solutions.
The Royal Air Force (RAF) facility—located in Fylingdales, United Kingdom (UK), and Site III of the Ballistic Missile Early Warning Center—functions as a continuous missile detection and space surveillance operation. The satellite position information interpreted by the RAF’s software is distributed to the Missile Warning Center (MWC) in the UK and USSPACECOM’s MWC in the United States.
The 30-year-old legacy software system used at RAF Fylingdales for analysis was outdated, requiring two days of information-gathering before disseminating results. The operators needed an efficient system capable of importing satellite position data in a legacy file format for further analysis. Because this work is time-critical, they required an easy-to-use software interface that minimized operator training time and expedited implementation.
Using AGI’s software, RAF engineers built and fielded a new system that seamlessly integrates their legacy hardware and software with AGI’s commercially available, physics-based geometry engine. Additionally, STK Engine allowed them to develop an interface customized for RAF workflows. Now they output their calculations in an interactive, 3-D environment for fast, accurate discernment and then produce analytical reports for distribution. AGI technology met RAF’s goals by:
- Providing a step-by-step, task-based software design. This new system produced results in two hours rather than two days, equivalent to a 95% time reduction.
- Reducing transition time between the two systems. Royal Air Force engineers were able to operate AGI’s application and generate required data with less than 30 minutes of orientation and training on average.
- Cost cutting. AGI’s commercial off-the-shelf software and custom integration cost a fraction of prior-attempted custom solutions.
By integrating its legacy system with AGI’s analysis and visualization engine, the Royal Air Force quickly, effectively, and cost-efficiently transitioned to an updated, state-of-the-art tracking system. AGI’s STK Engine application met RAF needs; passed preliminary functionality tests; and enabled personnel to easily adapt to the solution.
Case Study Provided by AGI - AGI delivers mission-proven software for timely and cost-effective development and deployment of advanced space, defense and intelligence applications. AGI products are used for modeling, engineering and operations in the areas of space, cyberspace, aircraft, missile defense, C4ISR and electronic systems. They can be purchased as ready-to-use applications, development tools or turnkey solutions.
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