L. A. SECTION ENTERPRISE CHAPTER

Dr. Blaine Pearce, Chief Scientist of Aero Optics, Inc. spoke to the Enterprise Chapter at the AIAA L. A. Section Offices on March 7, 2006. His company specializes in phenomenology applicable to missile defense. They have developed specialized software to analyze and simulate the flow, radiation, and signature of ballistic missiles and the laser defenses against them. To perform their work requires expertise in fluid mechanics, reaction kinetics, flight dynamics, thermal design, molecular physics, optical spectra, radiative transport, and image processing.

Their trademark software programs are FAST, RAST, and TESS. FAST, Flow Advance Simulation Tool, describes nozzle/plume and/or body/wake flow. RAST, Radiation Advance Simulation Tool, describes plume atmosphere emission/scattering. TESS, Target End-to-End Simulation describes body dynamics/heating/signature. Data from many missile tests have validated the predictive capabilities of these programs.

The company was formed in 1987 and has supported DOD throughout the transition from SDIO Strategic Defense Initiative Organization to BMDO, Ballistic Missiles Defense Organization, to MDA, Missile Defense Agency. Much of this support is as a subcontractor to large Defense Contractors. Over 40 such clients have used the expertise of Aero Optics in this manner. Much of the business is generated by long-standing personal contacts and referrals. Some companies pay Aero Optics for assistance on their proposals, an impressive testimony to the expertise resident in this company. The company is aggressive in publishing technical papers, and has become directly involved in Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) projects in the last four or five years. Capitalizing on their expertise, they have won one of every two Phase I contracts proposed, and slightly over 50% of the Phase II contracts they have pursued.

The staff has fluctuated in size between five and eight people. To maintain high technical standards requires a staff of individuals with a keen interest in the subject matter, a work ethic that sees jobs through to conclusion, and strong analytical abilities and computer skills. They must be self-motivated, capable of assuming various responsibilities within a project, compatible with other people, and tolerant of uncertainty. Besides the challenging work content, the company offers top salaries, profit sharing, and a generous medical plan to attract employees.

Inevitably, some employees leave to follow other pursuits, and must be replaced. Dr. Pearce has found engineering graduates to be easier to train than physics majors, apparently because of a greater tendency to pursue practical applications rather than mere theoretical formulations. He and his colleagues have hit upon an interesting ingredient in their job interview. They now require all candidates to give a presentation of some key work they have done. During the course of this presentation, they are able to discern the depth of study performed by the candidate, how sound his thinking is with regard to difficult concepts or questions, the honesty of his answers in dealing with uncertainties, and his ability to convey concepts to others. Aero Optics uses this presentation portion of the interview as an important filter in selecting a candidate for a position.

Guido Frassinelli