NRTF_Industry_Day_Tour_Scripts.pdf

Distribution A: Approved for public release;

distribution unlimited. 96TW-2015-0037

NRTF RAMS

Tour Script

Lt Col Huffman 18 Feb 2015

5 6

1.) NRTF Intro

• The NRTF is recognized RCS leader and is a critical DoD asset essential to fulfilling national strategy.

• The RCS Advanced Measurement System (RAMS) is the last remaining DoD outdoor static RCS range designed for RCS and Antenna Pattern Measurements for aircraft

• The O&M contractor works at RAMS daily: NRTF supports testing 24hrs a day and about 350 days a year.

The commute from HAFB is roughly 60 min.

– *Note: the O&M contractor may be required to work off site due to WSMR roadblocks and site evacuations.

• The total replacement cost of RAMS is estimated at $320M

2.) Guard Shack (Stop, exit bus, Process through security)

• As we approach the security checkpoint please check your pockets and belongings to ensure you do not have any electronic devices: cell phones, cameras, USB drives, recording devices, laptops, tablets, transmitting watches, and all other transmitting devices.

• RAMS security is maintained 24/7.

• Security guards maintain a Top Secret clearance and are trained to operate the Hirsch security system currently installed at RAMS.

3.) Vehicle Shelter/ 5023 Paint Booth (Stop, exit bus, enter paint booth)

• The O&M contractor is tasked with maintaining a fleet of government owned as well as government furnished vehicles and heavy equipment.

• We will now exit the bus to tour one of two paint booths operated at RAMS.

• Paint booths are used for both painting and materials application.

• Targets in this paint booth are supported by a pneumatic pedestal which can lift, rotate, and move targets.

• The paint booths are typically operated by a mix of O&M and customer staff for test preparation during both day and night shifts.

• The O&M contractor is responsible for the operation and maintenance of the paint booth, HAZMAT management, and safety oversight of the customer.

4.) Target Storage (Stop, do not exit bus)

• NRTF maintains 5 target storage buildings which are certified for SAP storage.

• The O&M contractor maintains these buildings and their security certifications.

• The O&M contractor works closely with customers to ensure these buildings remain clean and adhere to safety, security, and environmental standards.

• The O&M contractor is currently managing the construction of a sixth target storage building.

5.) 5005 Paint Booth / Flip Pad (Stop, do not exit bus)

• Building 5005 houses the older of the two paint booths at RAMS. It is equipped with a bridge crane for target mount/dismount operations for targets.

• NRTF provides HAZMAT storage and HAZWASTE disposal in coordination with customers.

• The O&M contractor is tasked with flipping targets in order to measure RCS data. Target flips typically occur at night.

– Note vehicle maintenance and additional target storage buildings to the south.

6.) Target Support Facility (Exit bus, tour silo)

• The Target Support Facility (TSF) or ‘The Silo’ is where targets are typically staged during test operations.

• The TSF is equipped with a 128 ft pylon, which recedes into the ground underneath a retractable roof when testing is not underway. This provides the NRTF with security from overhead assets, and provides limited protection from environmental conditions.

• The TSF is equipped with a bridge crane for target mounting, dismounting and some “flip” operations.

6A.) HTM/Pylon/Rotator

• The Hoist/Tilt Mechanism (HTM) is the hydraulic system that positions the pylon for test operations.

• The HTM is controlled by a custom designed program, RAMS Acquisition and Control System (RACS). The NRTF is currently upgrading RACS to improve maintainability and control capabilities.

• The pylon is equipped with several rotators of varying weight restrictions at different stations along the height of the pylon.

• Although the pylon is the most common method of target support during testing, the NRTF also uses foam columns and ‘strings’.

7.) RVUMS/Paved Range (Point out RVUMS, do not stop)

• RAMS is a shadow plane range consisting of a 8950-ft long by 300-ft wide paved surface.

• The RAMS VHF/UHF Measurement System (RVUMS) sits 2000-ft from the pylon. It can be moved on and off the paved surface to support testing throughout the RF spectrum.

• We are currently executing a major overhaul of our radars, to include new feed horns for

RVUMS.

8.) RCMS

(Stop, exit bus)

• The RAMS Central Measurement System (RCMS) is comprised of modified Lintek [Star Dynamics] radars.

• RCMS covers UHF through Ka bands with full linear polarization.

• Currently, NRTF is developing the Advanced RCS Measurement Radar (ARMR) in-house which will bring increased sensitivity and efficiency, expandable architecture, and improved maintainability to RAMS.

• The RAMS system sets the certification standard for ANSI-Z540 and ISO-17025.

8.) Central Admin Building 5000 (Leave bus, 10min in break area)

• Building 5000 contains office space; it was expanded to include research and development labs, classified networks, classified data collection, processing, and customer facilities.

• The O&M contractor manages construction and expansion efforts. For example, the next O&M contractor could be tasked with managing the construction of a secure government facility and an indoor flip facility.

9.) Supply/Machine Shop (Stop, do not exit bus)

• The RAMS supply and machine shops are being constructed in support of NRTF requirements.

• The machine shop is used for fabrication in support of custom testing configurations, R&D efforts, and facility maintenance.

• The supply shop contains the materials required to support maintenance and operation of the facility.

• Next to the supply and machine shops will be the sixth target storage facility; estimated completion:

early 2016.

10.) ReDI Range (Stop, do not exit bus)

• The Research, Diagnostic, and Integration (ReDI) Range is currently being designed by the O&M contractor to provide a scaled capability to support research, diagnostic and risk reduction efforts of:

– Hardware/software

– Measurement methods & techniques

• The ReDI range is approximately 1600-ft long.

• This range is designed to potentially conduct small scale test operations.

• The ReDI range is scheduled to enter service in the summer of 2016.