Address
TEDT-RT-TTA
Advanced Technology Office
Redstone Arsenal, AL 35898
United StatesDescription
The origins of the U.S. Army Redstone Technical Test Center (RTTC) can be traced back to 1956, when the Army Ballistic Missile Agency was established at the arsenal with a military mission to field the Army's first intermediate range ballistic missile. The missile flight test ranges and rocket motor static test stands formed the core of the Test and Evaluation Directorate under the predecessor organization, U.S. Army Missile Command, Missile Research, Development and Engineering Center. In October 1990, the directorate was assigned to the former U.S. Army Developmental Test Command and became known as the Redstone Technical Test Center. With the movement of the Aviation and Troop Command to the arsenal, the establishment of PEO Aviation opened up a new and challenging venue for aircraft test work, which the Center readily met and integrated into its capabilities.
The origin of the U.S. Army Aviation Technical Test Center (ATTC) can be traced back to November 1959, when the Transportation Material Command's Liaison Office was activated at Edwards AFB, California. The office was transferred, in 1963, under TECOM and was designated as the U.S. Army Aviation Materiel Command (AVCOM). In 1968, AVCOM was designated the U.S. Army Aviation Systems Test Activity (USAASTA). In 1974, the name was changed to AEFA. In Alabama, the Transportation Aircraft Test and Support Activity (TATSA) was activated July 1, 1956, and the Signal Aviation Test and Support Activity (SATSA) was activated in the fall of the same year-they shared the mission of performing logistical testing of all standard and nonstandard avionics equipment. The Continental Army Command (CONARM) Board Number 6 was originated on January 1, 1957, and was renamed the U.S. Army Aviation Board. The TATSA, the SATSA, and the Aviation Board were consolidated as the U.S. Army Aviation Test Board under TECOM. The Board was deactivated on July 28, 1976, and ADTA was formed on June 6, 1979.
In October 1999, a new era in modern military testing began as Army developmental and operational testing consolidated under one command and formed the U.S. Army Test and Evaluation Command (ATEC). In August 2009, both the Aviation Technical Test Center from Fort Rucker and the Redstone Technical Test Center from Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, consolidated, forming the Redstone Test Center.
The combined history and accomplishments of the genesis test organizations and the consolidated organizations that evolved over time have provided RTC with a proud past on which to build. The center's core values provide the framework on which its culture is founded. Values, honesty, industry and organizational loyalty are the baseline of all of RTC's operations. The concept of customer focus and technical expertise are the building blocks that anchor success.
The origin of the U.S. Army Aviation Technical Test Center (ATTC) can be traced back to November 1959, when the Transportation Material Command's Liaison Office was activated at Edwards AFB, California. The office was transferred, in 1963, under TECOM and was designated as the U.S. Army Aviation Materiel Command (AVCOM). In 1968, AVCOM was designated the U.S. Army Aviation Systems Test Activity (USAASTA). In 1974, the name was changed to AEFA. In Alabama, the Transportation Aircraft Test and Support Activity (TATSA) was activated July 1, 1956, and the Signal Aviation Test and Support Activity (SATSA) was activated in the fall of the same year-they shared the mission of performing logistical testing of all standard and nonstandard avionics equipment. The Continental Army Command (CONARM) Board Number 6 was originated on January 1, 1957, and was renamed the U.S. Army Aviation Board. The TATSA, the SATSA, and the Aviation Board were consolidated as the U.S. Army Aviation Test Board under TECOM. The Board was deactivated on July 28, 1976, and ADTA was formed on June 6, 1979.
In October 1999, a new era in modern military testing began as Army developmental and operational testing consolidated under one command and formed the U.S. Army Test and Evaluation Command (ATEC). In August 2009, both the Aviation Technical Test Center from Fort Rucker and the Redstone Technical Test Center from Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, consolidated, forming the Redstone Test Center.
The combined history and accomplishments of the genesis test organizations and the consolidated organizations that evolved over time have provided RTC with a proud past on which to build. The center's core values provide the framework on which its culture is founded. Values, honesty, industry and organizational loyalty are the baseline of all of RTC's operations. The concept of customer focus and technical expertise are the building blocks that anchor success.
Mission
Provide technical expertise and state-of-the-art facilities and capabilities to plan, conduct, analyze, and report the results of tests on missile, aviation, and sensor systems, subsystems and components.
Technology Disciplines
Displaying 11 - 20 of 22
Projectile Launcher with a Permanent High-Low Pressure System
Description:
A projectile launcher includes a barrel, a high pressure chamber included within the barrel, and a low pressure area included within the barrel and substantially surrounding the high pressure chamber. The high pressure chamber includes an inner cavity and multiple vent holes connecting the inner cavity to the low pressure area so that high pressure gases generated in the inner cavity by a pressure cartridge can pass from the inner cavity to the low pressure area and propel a round (or projectile) out of the launcher.
Details
| Patent Number | US2016209159 |
| Inventors | #N/A |
| Patent Issue Date | Aug 21, 2016 |
Remote mosaic imaging system having high-resolution, wide field-of-view and low bandwidth
Description:
The Remote Mosaic Imaging System having High-Resolution, Wide Field-of-View and Low Bandwidth (Remote Mosaic System") uses image frame synchronization and multiplexing to reduce the bandwidth needed to transmit the plurality of images to a remote location. The Remote Mosaic System employs a plurality of remote sensors to create a plurality of images. The use of readily available and inexpensive commercial imaging sensors significantly decreases the cost of the system while greatly increasing the capabilities of the imaging system to cover virtually any target space with virtually any desired resolution."
Sub Title:
Details
| Patent Number | US6704460 |
| Inventors | Marc W. Crooks, Troy L. Hester, Michael C. Pitruzzello |
| Patent Issue Date | Apr 09, 2004 |
Rocket accuracy improvement device
Description:
Rocket Accuracy Improvement Device, when coupled between the warhead and motor of a typical free flight rocket, isolates the warhead from the rocket motor in the axis using a plurality of ball bearings and thereby enables the warhead to spin independently of the motor. The separation of the warhead from the motor allows the angular momentum of the warhead, which has reached its maximum spin rate by the time the motor burns out, to act gyroscopically to maintain the trajectory of the rocket even when the motor reverses its spin, thus achieving a much more predictable flight path for the rocket.
Sub Title:
Details
| Patent Number | US6761330 |
| Inventors | Roswell W. Nourse, III, Donald E. Davis, David A. Bittle, Robert C. Glover |
| Patent Issue Date | Aug 13, 2004 |
Rotating shutter system for hostile laser source location technique
Description:
A hostile laser source location technique employs a television camera in conjunction with a rotating shutter to pinpoint the location of a hostile laser source without placing the pilot/operator at risk for eye damage. For an attack scenario the pilot/operator could then make changes in his tactics to negate the source or to continue his attack run. The shutter made of high optical density material (e.g., OD-4), except for an open aperture, provides optics protection for the camera system from both damage and dazzle. A detector is used to detect the laser pulse (flash) which immediately signals the proper frame to be frozen on a monitor. The laser source appears as a bright spot and is easily pinpointed.
Sub Title:
Details
| Patent Number | US6281927 |
| Inventors | Vernon H. Ayre, Richard D. Milton, John K. Dempsey, William F. Otto |
| Patent Issue Date | Sep 28, 2001 |
Rotational canted-joint missile control system
Description:
The Rotational Canted-Joint Missile (RCJM) Control System utilizes a single or multiple body joints that rotate in planes that are not perpendicular to the missile body axis. The result is the deflection of a portion of the missile body for flight control purposes. The canted interface plane between any two adjacent movable sections of the missile body and a joint at the interface plane that allows one of the sections to be rotated by a pre-determined angle with respect to the other section comprise a rotational plane mechanism that offers an inclined bearing plane with a large mechanical advantage over typical brute force" ball joint methods."
Sub Title:
Details
| Patent Number | US6646242 |
| Inventors | Stephen C. Cayson, Roger P. Berry, Lamar M. Auman, Mark D. Dixon, Daniel F. Lawless, J. C. Dunaway, David A. Gibson |
| Patent Issue Date | Dec 11, 2003 |
Semi-active laser last pulse logic seeker utilizing a focal plane array
Description:
The semi-active laser (SAL) last pulse logic seeker utilizing a focal plane array is obtained by combining the semi-active laser last pulse logic signal processing using a single PIN photodiode with a staring imaging infrared (I2R) focal plane array detector, such as InSb. The result is an improvement that renders the seeker capable of operating in three different modes: SAL only, I2R only or simultaneous multi-spectral processing in SAL/I2R. The improvement uses a single PIN photodiode detector with an imaging infrared focal plane array (I2R FPA) detector to correlate the temporal laser returns of the former with the spatial laser returns of the latter which enables the SAL last pulse return, indicative of the true target, to be identified on the I2R FPA. To facilitate the correlation process, the FPA can be divided into regions-of-interest (ROI) that are analyzed to determine which temporal laser pulse falls in which particular ROI. Single PIN photodiode detector 101 has the same field-of-view as I2R FPA detector 111 so that each detector observes the same scene. The laser pulses collected by both detectors are correlated to identify the particular ROI on the FPA on which the last pulse falls, thus the location of the target, and the missile is guided to the laser spot on that particular ROI for a more accurate and direct impact on the target.
Sub Title:
Details
| Patent Number | US6111241 |
| Inventors | James E. English, James L. Springer, Ronald O. White, Raymond W. Schneider |
| Patent Issue Date | Sep 29, 2000 |
Sensor having differential polarization and a network comprised of several such sensors
Description:
Parametric processing capability is added to a typical sensor so that a target object can be more clearly distinguished from the background clutter in a given scenery. A polarizer with several segments of different polarization orientations is used to improve the typical sensor. The segments are sequentially advanced to pass therethrough infrared radiation images of pre-selected polarization orientations which are then collected by respective polarized frame grabbers. Image processing circuit processes these images to yield the polarization difference between any given pair of orthogonal polarizations. In a surveillance network, the polarization differences are subsequently used in the control center, to which such sensors are connected, to enhance the distinction of the observed objects against the background clutter suspended in the propagation medium.
Sub Title:
Details
| Patent Number | US7193214 |
| Inventors | William C. Pittman |
| Patent Issue Date | Apr 20, 2007 |
Single axis CCD time gated ladar sensor
Description:
A CCD sensor device has columns and rows of masked pixels that form a charge storage matrix. A singular column of photosensitive pixels form a photosensitive region and are directly connected to the first column of the charge storage matrix. Photons received in the pixels of the photosensitive region are converted to an electrical charge over an integration period and are then shifted from the photosensitive region to the first column of the charge storage matrix. After a second integration period the integrated charge in the photosensitive region is shifted to the first column and the charges previously stored in the first column are shifted to the second column of the matrix. This process is repeated until all the columns of the storage region are full of charges at which time the charges are read out by a serial shift register.
Sub Title:
Details
| Patent Number | US7688374 |
| Inventors | Jay E. Land |
| Patent Issue Date | Apr 30, 2010 |
Swashplate seal assembly
Description:
A swashplate seal assembly sized for rotor shaft rotation therein, including an outer cover encircling the rotor shaft and covering a sealing ring having an inner circumference on which a resilient sealing wiper is inwardly disposed. The outer cover, sealing ring and resilient sealing wiper are sectioned in respective like-configured curved segments for disassembly without removing adjacent segments during inspections. Inboard of the sealing ring is a flanged seal ring having an outer surface diameter limited in size to allow positioning the seal ring within the sealing wiper. The seal ring is fitted on an outer perimeter of a bearing retainer positionable within the sealing ring, thereby positioning the seal ring outer surface in sliding engagement with the sealing wiper during rotor shaft rotation. The outer cover positioning and the engaging relationship between seal ring and sealing wiper operate to minimize contaminants intrusion along the rotor shaft during rotation.
Sub Title:
Details
| Patent Number | US7201561 |
| Inventors | Tracy A. Conklin, Wayne C. Parsons |
| Patent Issue Date | May 10, 2007 |
Synthetic discriminant function automatic target recognition system augmented by LADAR
Description:
Synthetic discriminant function automatic target recognition system augmented by LADAR combines, through the synthetic discriminant function (SDF), the active LADAR data of the potential target object with the passive infrared imagery of the target and background. In doing so, the system not only recognizes and classifies the target but also provides the range profile of the target object by analyzing the amplitude of the reflected return signal when appropriate. The live target scene imagery in passive infrared is detected, filtered and subsequently complex multiplied with pre-existing synthetic discriminant function to produce a two-dimensional cross-correlated surface. Analogous process is performed on the active LADAR range and intensity images of the live target scene with corresponding pre-existing synthetic discriminant function for the same target pose and scale as in the passive infrared correlation step. Ultimately, the target information thus acquired in passive infrared and active LADAR is fused to obtain a more accurate determination of the target location and classification than is possible using either infrared or LADAR alone.
Sub Title:
Details
| Patent Number | US6042050 |
| Inventors | S. Richard Sims, William C. Pittman |
| Patent Issue Date | Apr 28, 2000 |
Pages
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9
Aviation Flight Test
Security Clearance : Non Security LabSquare Footage: 0
Redstone Test Center provides an expert workforce and technologically advanced test equipment to conduct the rigorous testing necessary for U.S. Army acquisition and airworthiness decision makers to equip our soldiers with mission-effective and safe aviation equipment. Our Aviation testers are comprised of diverse and multi-disciplined pilots, engineers, and technical personnel who work with a fleet of aircraft to provide government and commercial customers complete developmental flight test and test support services. To support the fleet of aircraft and more than 5,000 hours of flight testing performed each year, RTC maintains a maintenance and logistics capability, over 140 thousand square feet of hangar space, a flight operations center and a flight test control center. While much of RTC aviation flight test operations are conducted at Redstone Arsenal, on many occasions test activities are executed at remote locations throughout the United States to include Yuma Proving Grounds, Ariz.; Eglin Air Force Base, Fla.; and Duluth, Minn. when specific capabilities or climatic conditions are required.
Aviation Flight Test Instrumentation
Security Clearance : Non Security LabSquare Footage: 0
RTC provides support in the design, development, installation, integration and operation of aviation flight test instrumentation. Our engineers design, fabricate, install, integrate and calibrate various types of instrumentation systems. We provide collection and processing of real-time and post-mission airframe and systems flight test data at any location across CONUS. RTC electrical and mechanical engineers support the integration and installation of non-standard systems and subsystems into existing Army aircraft platforms. We provide airworthiness release data that supports airworthiness approval from RTC and AED flight releases. A key capability is the state-of-the-art flight test control center which provides real-time display of flight test data and flight test data storage. We also utilize wireless rotating instrumentation package to collect structures data on rotating components. The wireless rotating instrumentation package eliminates the need for legacy slip ring technology. Our capabilities encompass flight test instrumenting, data acquisition and recording, attitude measurement collection, global positioning system collection and processing, video recording and playback, flight test control, instrument systems calibration, instrumentation cockpit display, telemetry decommutation and display, open air environment data collection and ground station digital communication testing.
Aviation Systems Test and Integration Lab (AvSTIL)
Security Clearance : Non Security LabSquare Footage: 0
The Aviation Systems Test and Integration Laboratory offers an innovative approach to aviation system and subsystem testing by fully immersing aviation platforms in a controllable, repeatable and simulated testing environment, allowing engineers the ability to fine-tune scenarios, produce more precise test and evaluation results, thereby reducing overall program risk to project managers prior to flight test. The AvSTIL serves as the only U.S. Army installed test facility capable of testing tactical hardware as installed onto aircraft, thus eliminating some of the uncertainties commonly attributed to bench level component testing. The AvSTIL is capable of simulating all current aircraft survivability equipment, aircraft 1553 bus traffic (to include EGI), as well as pilot static and radar altimeter information. The AvSTIL houses a test control center equipped with all necessary instrumentation to plan, execute and report on advanced flight tests and is collocated with a suite of Army aircraft to include the AH-64D/E, CH-47D/F, UH-60A/L/M, OH-58D and RQ-7 Shadow UAS.
Distributed Tests and Modeling & Simulation
Security Clearance : Non Security LabSquare Footage: 0
RTC's distributed testing and modeling & simulation capability is centered around the Distributed Test Control Center located in building 4500 on Redstone Arsenal. The DTCC is RTC's central point for integration in connecting distributed systems. For test events both internal to RTC and with outside organizations, it serves as the RTC command and control, communication, data acquisition, and visualization center. The DTCC operates globally at various classification levels on multiple distributed test networks. This state of the art facility serves as the hub connecting all RTC ranges and labs through reliable, robust and high capacity connectivity. It is the central access point to and from RTC assets and other organizations around the world. DTCC engineers and computer scientists provide subject matter expertise for networks and simulation architecture as well as for RTC's High Performance Computer asset which resides in the DTCC and provides computational power for the center.
Hardware-in-the-Loop Testing
Security Clearance : Non Security LabSquare Footage: 0
RTC has a suite of Hardware-in-the Loop facilities that include three operational facilities that provide performance assessment and production acceptance testing of millimeter wave, IR and SAL missile seekers and all-up rounds. These facilities are supported by subject matter expertise in combining T&E with M&S to support simulation based acquisition. The HWILs include: The Longbow Simulation Test and Acceptance Facility that is used to provide non destructive test of allup-round Longbow missiles for production and stockpile reliability; the Electro-Optical System Flight Evaluation Lab which is used to test seekers, control sections, command launch units and other components (adaptable to test semi-active laser seekers); and the Advanced Multispectral Simulation, Test and Acceptance Resource which provides a performance test bay for tri-mode seekers that utilize any combination of mid-wave IR, SAL and KA band millimeter wave seeker technologies. HWIL capabilities also include ad-hoc and component test capabilities such as FLIR HWIL and dynamic fin loading.
Insensitive Munitions Testing
Security Clearance : Non Security LabSquare Footage: 0
Insensitive Munitions Testing at RTC is conducted (IAW MILSTD-2105) at Test Area 4. Our engineers and technicians obtain data for hazards classification and safety assessments of rocket motors and explosive components. Insensitive munition testing includes multiple caliber bullet impact testing, fragment impact, live munitions drop testing, slow and fast cook-off tests, warhead arena tests, sympathetic detonation, shaped charge jet and spall impact, and vulnerability and survivability tests. Five test pads are remotely located in the test area supported by an equipped blockhouse with high speed digital control and data acquisition systems. Test pads are configured to ensure maximum safety for tests.
Missile Flight Testing
Security Clearance : Non Security LabSquare Footage: 0
RTC's missile flight test capabilities center around Test Area 1, a fullyinstrumented, 8km long range, located on 8,000 square feet with smaller, satellite ranges customized for R&D testing of new weapon system technologies, as well as project-managed systems at the system, subsystem and component level throughout the system's lifecycle. Flight test capabilities are designed for remote or man-fired testing of tactical guided missiles, rockets, and machine guns from ground and aviation platforms against stationary or moving targets. Test capabilities are also available for aviation weapons systems integration & testing that combines gun, rocket, laser, and sensor testing from various Army aviation platforms. Target tracking capability includes time space positioning information and velocity data collection through optical, acoustic, and radar systems such as Weibel doppler radar, Oehler acoustic arrays, Mobile Optical Tracking System, and the Mobile Multi-sensor TSPI System. The ranges include state-of-the-art, high speed digital imaging used for launch, target, and warhead data collection, as well as data reduction and other imaging and documentation capabilities. All instrumentation is enabled by complete instrumentation infrastructure including fiber optic or wireless instrumentation needs for data collection.
Missile/Aviation Propulsion Testing
Security Clearance : Non Security LabSquare Footage: 0
RTC provides the Army's largest static test facility staffed with experienced engineers and technicians with unique specialized, certified skills for testing of liquid, solid and hybrid rocket and missile propulsion systems. This test capability includes five static test stands with nine test positions for both horizontal and vertical testing. These stands have thrust test capabilities up to 10,000,000 lbs of force, up to 250,000 lbs. of propellant and include unique capabilities to test with hypergolic fuels and oxidizers. Test capabilities allow for exhaust plume attenuation and signature testing. The test area also includes a recently updated and renovated control facility and fully instrumented blockhouse along with capabilities for ammunition storage. In addition to static test firing, our engineers and technicians are certified for rocket motor dissection up to 50,000 lbs. of propellant. Our static test facilities provide a "cradle to grave" test capability for propulsion testing from early concept development through recycle and demilitarization operations. In addition to missile propulsion testing, we offer environmental testing for the conduct of explosive atmosphere, altitude and rapid decompressions testing of developmental and fielded DoD and commercial assets. Finally, we have the Redstone Air Propulsion Test and Research (RAPTR) facility that houses three bays for testing helicopter engines and various other aircraft components. See capability highlights below for additional RAPTR information.
Sensor Testing in Open Air Range
Security Clearance : Non Security LabSquare Footage: 0
RTC provides testing for sensors on Redstone Arsenal open air ranges and with safari test capabilities worldwide. Primary test mission areas include ground and airborne testing of seeker and sensor systems in an open air field environment. RTC performs Sensor and Seeker field tests in the following areas: • Captive Carry Testing such as Stabilized Electro-Optical Airborne Instrumentation Platform (SEAIP) • Ground based sensor testing • Spectral characterization of targets and environments • Testing of detection, acquisition and recognition systems • GPS tracking tests such as Low-Cost, All-purpose, Instrumentation Tracking System (LOCAITS) • Ground and aerial target support Test areas at Redstone Arsenal provide an open air instrumented range environment that serves as the primary range for field sensor test operations. The range encompasses more than 2,000 acres, with elevated pads ranging in height. Test Area 6 offers integration facilities and limited fabrication and machining capabilities. The Hatton Mountain Sensor Test Facility provides a 8.7 Km line-of-sight to the end of Test Area 3. Also RTC has an inventory of over 15 types of obscurants & countermeasures that are available for field sensor and seeker testing, signature measurement, etc.