Central Computing Facility (CCF)

CCF control console in the LOB

Wind Balloon Tracking

Wind instruments are mounted on towers at 50 ft and 100 ft for surface winds and use weather balloons for winds at altitude. The balloons can be tracked with radar or they can carry a GPS rawinsonde. Software running on an HP-9000 computer uses the real-time radar or sonde tracking data and the wind tower data to generate the wind profile. To remove or fix bad data, the wind profile can be edited interactively. After the wind profile has been produced, the wind software can be used to compute trajectories. Trajectory data can be used to adjust the launcher azimuth and elevation to compensate for winds, to predict debris impact locations in case of failure, and to predict loads on the missile. The wind software can be used to plot the trajectory data to ensure that it is within limits.

Vehicle Tracking and Prediction

The tracking software (also run on an HP-9000), verifies the missile's trajectory in real time. It accepts tracking information from PMRF radars and telemetry, computes the instantaneous impact point (IIP, which shows where the missile will impact if thrust is lost) and other trajectory parameters in real time, and plots the information.

Countdown System and Real-Time Control

Several networked PCs installed throughout the LOB control the countdown and control system. To minimize effort and cost, these machines run modular software to allow changes and enhancements.Support staff can provide electrical and mechanical design, software modifications, and computer control expertise.