The Systems Engineering Directorate (SE) is the principal developer and provider of technology and instrumentation for White Sands Test Center and its customers. SE conducts planning, concept formulation, research and development, systems engineering, systems development, systems integration, field testing, life cycle support and systems acquisition to ensure adequate test resources are available in a timely fashion to enable successful test and evaluation of current and future weapons programs. SE also manages the WSTC overall investment and modernization process.
The directorate is largely composed of engineers and scientists and is heavily augmented by contractors. SE personnel work closely with operations elements of WSMR and with range customers to identify test technology needs and to develop corresponding solutions. Developed instrumentation supports a broad base of capabilities and includes but is not limited to: radar, telemetry, imaging, graphical displays, optics, tracking, directed energy, data processing, data storage, data transmission and networks, control systems, target control (both air and ground targets), interoperability test environments, directed energy, electromagnetic effects, counter improvised explosive device testing, physical environments, etc. The span of development ranges from applied research on new and advanced sensors to subsystem-level development of range instrumentation to full systems development and integration of complex range test systems supporting intercontinental weapons testing. SE primarily supports the investment and capability needs of WSTC; however, the directorate provides support to external customers on a case-by-case basis. National labs, private industry and other test ranges augment the SE development resources.
SE is structured with an Investment Planning Office and four technical divisions. In close coordination with all WSTC elements, the Investment Planning Office has oversight and monitoring responsibility for all WSTC technology investments and ensures that all requirements are accurately documented in the Technology Development and Acquisition Program (TDAP) database and ensures adherence to all applicable regulations and policies.
Each SE division performs the same systems engineering functions of development, integration, testing and field transition but focuses its efforts on supporting specific technology areas within WSTC. The Range Integration Division provides engineering services in the areas of GPS, optics, telemetry, radar and meteorological systems. The Sensor Systems Division primarily focuses on capabilities in the areas of directed energy, physical environments, simulated and stimulated environments, electromagnetic imaging systems and counter improvised explosive devices (IED). The Networks and Control Systems Division is responsible for the technology areas to include network architecture, wireless architectures, air and ground target control systems, unmanned autonomous testing and data display systems. The Scientific Software Systems Division provides mathematical and statistical services and software development to range customers and mission support organizations including flight safety, range control and the Inter Range Control Center. This division also has expertise in mathematical modeling and modeling and simulation applications as well as real-time data processing software algorithms.