Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Timeline
Generic

Gary Finley

Huntsville

Summary

Analytical Senior Radar Analyst with over 33 years of experience focused on applying sound engineering principles using both traditional and innovative methods. Expertise in problem-solving, system optimization, and project management. Strong focus on team collaboration and achieving results. Reliable and adaptable with skills in process improvement, and technical analysis. Known for effective communication and innovative solutions.

Experience includes leading several software Independent and Verification and Validation (IV&V) efforts for radar development programs to include AN/TPY2 radar, Ground Based Radar – Prototype (GBR-P) as well as Sea-Based X-band Radar (SBX). As part of the IV&V efforts, I became very familiar with the various software requirements and algorithms as documented in the Software Requirements Specifications (SRSs) for these radar systems. These efforts were performed in independently developed HWIL testbeds located at the Advanced Research Center (ARC) as well as at the Software Engineering Directorate (SED) (now called S3I). I gained the knowledge of developing all the various input data items that were needed to drive/feed the tactical radar software to perform IV&V. These areas included developing 6-DOF trajectory data as well as reducing Radar Cross Section (RCS) data products. Also am very knowledgeable on reducing radar recorded data to assess radar performance and requirements. Most recently involved with modeling these same radar systems using Matlab for MDA/AC team.

Experienced with applying engineering principles to real-world problems, leading to impactful solutions. Utilizes analytical skills and technical knowledge to enhance operational efficiency. Track record of effective team collaboration and project completion.

Overview

33
33
years of professional experience

Work History

Senior Radar Engineer

nouSystems Inc.
Huntsville, Alabama
05.2014 - Current
  • Supported the development and testing of the Advanced Object Classifier (AOC) algorithms that have been deployed to the fielded UEWR systems around the world. AOC utilizes Machine Learning (ML) techniques when fed with enormous amounts of radar signature data. This allows for transition from typical Bayesian classification approaches to a more robust process of performing threat object classification.
  • Supported the development, testing and validation of Matlab based radar model (nouRadar) for each of the BMDS radar systems as well as potential future radar systems to include ground and air based, ship based and space based radars. Radar models were also used to evaluate alternative/enhanced algorithms as well as to support the generation of radar sensor support data to feed MDA/AC interceptor models and other external simulations. Supported the generation of NGI sensor support for over 51 threat scenarios using a range of threat complexity with hundreds of objects per scenario. Developed new algorithms in nouRadar to include Target Object Map (TOM), advanced discrimination task (Attribute 2) testing and Glide Phase Interceptor (GPI).
  • In support to the Operational Test Agency (OTA), responsible for performing functional assessments of the various sensors during numerous ground test, flight test and fast events to include GTI-04, GTD-04, FTO-01, Fast Exchange, GTD-06, etc. Provided support on all sensor Models and Simulations (M&S) products used in ground test events to include TEC/HWIL, RDSIS, SOLD, DIGISIM, etc. I also support identification of any shortcomings and/or caveats that are required to bound the use of each model in representing actual systems performance.

Senior Radar Engineer

Davidson Technologies Inc.
Huntsville, Alabama
03.2002 - 04.2014
  • Support to the THAAD Project Office (TPO), THAAD Evaluation Center (TEC) in performing pre-mission support for THAAD system flight test events. This support was conducted in the SED facility in either Lab 180 and/or the Sim-Over-Live Driver (SOLD) testbed. Lab 180 contains a tactical radar HWIL (Digisim-Only), tactical TFCC as well as tactical THAAD launch computer. The SOLD testbed brought in the capability to drive the signal processors using the SOLD software (aka RDSIS).
  • I also supported IV&V of AN/TPY-2 (Terminal and Forward Modes) in the areas of scenario generation, data reduction, and test plan/report generation. Extensive understanding of Bayesian classifiers within the radar systems. Developed the ability to run classifier in offline monte-carlo mode to perform extended discrimination over hundreds of trajectories.
  • I developed the capability to generate “Triangle” plots from various RCS input files which reflect discrimination performance of an object without the need for specific 6-DOF trajectories.
  • I performed Advanced Algorithm (AA) performance assessments and became very knowledgeable of the AA capability within the radar systems. I was responsible for developing the RCS input files using all available RCS formats. Many input formats were supported to include XPATCH scattering centers, field files, Npoint formats (
  • .nptbl
  • .rsurv1
  • .bin, etc.), chamber measurements as well as others. Many output formats can be generated to include: XPB/XPD3 for THAAD DIGISIM, XP for SBX DIGISIM, and Lookup Tables (LUT) for TRSM3/CXSIM.
  • I also lead the SBX IV&V effort in a separate SBX HWIL facility at SED. This effort involved leading a team of 8 engineers in building the SBX HWIL facility with HP Superdome Data Processing Equipment (DPE) and setting up a data reduction string and Matlab toolset. This toolset, known as the Common Radar Toolset (CRT), has been maintained over the years and is still in use. It has grown to support all the various BMDS radar LRID outputs.

Radar Engineer

COLSA Corporation
Huntsville, Alabama
03.1998 - 02.2002
  • Managed the Ground Based Radar Prototype (GBR-P) IV&V effort (Team of up to 10 people) in the ARC facility as well as support to THAAD Dem/Val Radar IV&V effort also conducted in the same facility. Developed numerous data reduction tools using Ada and Matlab. Supported counter measures program to include the modeling of radar jammers, chaff and decoys to inject into radar systems.

Targets Engineer

Vista Technologies Inc.
Huntsville, Alabama
03.1993 - 02.1998
  • Managed the support of 4 junior engineers to oversee the target development activities at the various facilities to include Coleman Research Corporations (CRC) which developed the TMD HERA target system as well as LMMS (which developed the MSLS-MMIII system) with support to Sandia National Labs who developed the target suites.
  • Responsible for reviewing user community Target Systems Requirements Documents (TSRDs) to determine which target systems could best meet the users requirements and schedule/cost constraints. Focused on trajectory and IR/RCS requirements as well as the desired target dynamics. Developed Target Support Plans (TSPs) in response to TRSDs

Education

MSEE -

University of Alabama in Huntsville
Huntsville, Alabama
01-2002

BSEE - undefined

University of Alabama in Huntsville
Huntsville, Alabama
01-1991

Skills

  • Active Top Secret/SCI Clearance
  • Project management
  • Tactical Radar Software IV&V
  • Model and Simulation Development
  • Radar Cross Section (RCS) Processing
  • Radar Algorithm Development
  • Tactical Radar Data Reduction
  • Experienced Matlab Developer

Timeline

Senior Radar Engineer

nouSystems Inc.
05.2014 - Current

Senior Radar Engineer

Davidson Technologies Inc.
03.2002 - 04.2014

Radar Engineer

COLSA Corporation
03.1998 - 02.2002

Targets Engineer

Vista Technologies Inc.
03.1993 - 02.1998

BSEE - undefined

University of Alabama in Huntsville

MSEE -

University of Alabama in Huntsville