Nuclear Data Evaluation Support (NDES) III

The 24th Analysis Squadron Nuclear Sciences Flight (24ANN), part of the Air Force Technical Application Center (AFTAC) 709th Surveillance and Analysis Group (709SAG), contracts with multiple laboratories to perform analysis of samples and uses the results to create reports. During previous contracts, mostly recently Nuclear Data Evaluation Services, NDES, a suite of software and hardware systems were developed to manage sample logistics and analytical information. The systems developed under previous NDES contract include the Trackman application, Data Acquisition System Lab Extraction (DASSLE), and Workflow. These items are described in more detail below as part of the overall 24ANN process.

The overall process begins when 24ANN receives a sample and creates a new project in the database using the Trackman tool. As 24ANN processes the sample they use Trackman as a virtual lab notebook and load basic sample processing information into the 24ANN database through Trackman. After samples are processed by AFTAC, they are sent to a network of contracted labs where samples are processed through multiple analytical techniques. The labs then load this information in the Data Acquisition System Lab Extraction (DASSLE) system. DASSLE transfers the data through a series of steps to a server at AFTAC where the information is stored on the 24ANN database. This database can be accessed by Workflow and Trackman for displaying and visualizing data. Evaluators use tools in both these programs to visualize data and write reports. Once a report is written and approved, the report is loaded into Trackman and the project is closed. The report and information associated with the report is part of a library which is searchable using Workflow and other tools. The report and other documents associated with the project are stored on shared drives managed by AFTAC.

The NDES system manages four (4) primary elements: DASSLE, Trackman, Workflow and the 24ANN database.

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