Rick Bartell Email & Phone Number

Arlington, Virginia, Us

EO/IR reconnaissance R&D support to AFRL and DARPA.

Chantilly, Va, Us

EO and SAR reconnaissance R&D.

Arlington, Virginia, Us

Directed a wide range of Riverside Research technical initiatives in research on new sensor-related technologies. Objective was development of novel EO/IR/RF applications. Managed internal research and development and developed business strategies. Developed a new plasma physics laboratory.

Reston, Virginia, Us

Developed a correlation based approach for exploiting ground-to-space and space-to-space EO signatures of geosynchronous objects to enhance deep space situational awareness capabilities. The work involved extensive analysis based on simulation results from the Satellite Visualization and Signature Tool (SVST). Designed an extensive parametric study to establish limitations on detectable object characteristics as a function of collection geometry.

Arlington, Virginia, Us

Spectral subject matter expert, National Air and Space Intelligence Center, GEOINT/MASINT Production Squadron. Provides key technical leadership to several new hyperspectral sensor programs-providing unbiased recommendations to the government on a variety of topics. The technical areas addressed include: development of a detailed plan for in-flight calibration activities, extensive direct support to all calibration and initial operational flights, development of operational signature sets through very detailed analysis of sensor performance over these calibration flights culminating in an accurate assessment of probability of detection versus false alarm rate, troubleshooting and diagnosing sensor performance issues and extensive external collaboration. These efforts were vital for a new hyperspectral sensor program gaining final approval for operations and its subsequent success. Mr. Bartell has in addition analyzed a wide range of detailed technical issues to improve long term system performance and advocated for changes to several system operating characteristics to further improve system performance.

Arlington, Virginia, Us

Lead for development of the unique High Energy Laser End-to-End Operational Simulation (HELEEOS) high energy laser engagement model for the DoD community. HELEEOS features first-ever worldwide operationally-oriented performance estimates capturing expected multidimensional variability for all wavelengths from the visible to the long wave infrared based on statistical climatological data providing seasonal, diurnal coverage of 573 surface sites and ocean area coverage on a 1° x 1° grid, and additionally supports off axis calculations. Designed key aspects of a laser pointing and tracking system used successfully for inflight data collections of disturbances due to aerooptic flows. Directed development of a unique high fidelity simulation of a bi-static, time-varying multispectral remote observation of energy delivered on a distant and rapidly receding test object. Conducted extensive analyses of spatial, temporal and spectral variations in laser system, for both weapon and sensor applications, performance across disparate tactical scenarios. Developed a suite of tools for evaluating track algorithm performance based on DIRSIG-generated synthetic scene data. Orchestrated an extensive study quantifying the expected weapons application performance of emerging state-of-the-art fiber laser systems as a function of output power and piston, differential tilt, and higher order aperture phase errors-established specification requirements. Designed and directed execution of an extensive and highly collaborative study based on realistic thermal blooming and low altitude optical turbulence models defining the effective keep out zone achievable for a ground based state of the art transportable laser system employing a passive SWIR tracking system versus a maneuvering UAV. Led winning team for 2007 Air Force Modeling & Simulation Award. Extensive publications.

Robins Afb, Ga, Us

Directed the technical intelligence activities of 57 reservists in the NASIC Directorate of Technical Assesements and oversaw the research activities of 25 reservists assigned to the Air Force Research Laboratory’s Sensors Directorate. Organized and led an innovative field conditions deployment of 60 IMAs to Nellis AFB for direct warfighter (CAOC and Predator ops) interface. Served as interim IMA to the Commander, Air Force Research Laboratory. Also served as IMA to the Director of Intelligence, Air Force Materiel Command. Air War College graduate. Outstanding Liaison Officer Director, USAFA/ROTC Region 3 (13 state region).

Supported state-of-the-art tactical and strategic broadband and spectral reconnaissance research and development programs. Examples include end-to-end imaging performance modeling of the primary and midbay sensors of the Theater Airborne Reconnaissance System and performance requirements analysis for DARPA’s Adaptive Spectral Reconnaissance Program’s hyperspectral sensor, laying the groundwork for the COMPASS, HYCAS and ACES-HY sensor family. Program manager for Veridian Systems’ Image Based Sensor Model (IBSM) and Hyperspectral System Image Model (HySIM), a fully integrated end-to-end hyperspectral dispersive imaging spectrometer sensor system performance model implemented within the Khoros software environment. HySIM covers the visible through long wave infrared spectral regions and predicts single broadband through hyperspectral image data as acquired by space or airborne platforms. Indepth analysis of VNIR/SWIR and LWIR hyperspectral and spectral-polarimetric data to determine operational sensor performance requirements for a range of missions, for example real time detection of vehicles under trees, detection of landmines, and monitoring of industrial processes under the most stressing conditions. Requirements analyzed included optimum bandcenters/bandwidth and noise. Extensive experience with DIRSIG. Modeled the imaging performance of dynamically maneuvering sensors with on-chip motion compensation, airborne image intensified sensors, and LADAR sensors. Direct contributor to $1M in new business.

Responsible for product specification development, detailed electro-optical design, prototype development and testing, management of project schedules, cost estimation, and directing the project team in developing new lines of high precision laser non-contact industrial gauging equipment. Duties included product specification development, optical design, optomechanical and electronic integration, cost analysis, and test plan development and implementation. Led a multidisciplinary team in this effort.

Responsible for applied research directed at improved evaluation of night vision devices and optical scattering effects. Hardware prototypes developed include a night radiance level simulator, and a field-portable optical scatter measuring system. Planned and led a project to automate complex laboratory measurements, integrating commercial and internally developed hardware and software components into a delivered system. The new procedures conserve scarce human resources through a 75% reduction in data collection and analysis time, simultaneously improving reliability and repeatability. Extensive spectroradiometric analysis experience. Initiated modulation transfer function (MTF) measurements. Identified and corrected hardware and software errors in the space-qualified Spaceborne Direct View Optical System (SpaDVOS) Space Shuttle experiment. Supervised two senior optical technicians.

Served as the principal Air Force investigator of foreign optical information research and development. Areas analyzed included optical-digital computers, optical pattern recognition, and optical signal processing. Emphasis on spatial light modulators and acousto-optics. Established the National Intelligence Estimate and collection requirements in these areas. Analyzed foreign development of semi-active laser, television, and imaging IR technologies for precision weapons' guidance. Outstanding intelligence analysis award. Served as Deputy Division Chief.F-111D Instructor Weapon Systems Officer: Fully qualified mission ready flight and simulator instructor in all phases of F-111D night terrain-following operations. Published articles on advanced low-level navigation and weapons delivery procedures, disseminating key information to peers and increasing their effectiveness. Aeronautical Rating: Senior Navigator, 1250 F-111 hours.F-111D Select Bombing Competition Crewmember: Hand-picked 2 consecutive years by senior leadership to compete in the Strategic Air Command's prestigious annual Bombing Competition, tropy winner each year. Led the planning team for the extremely complex day and night competition missions each year each year, managing utilization of significant human and materiel resources. Consistently selected for all demanding, results-sensitive missions. Submitted avionics upgrade proposals which were later incorporated. Conducted flight reliability testing of the F-111D Doppler radar system. Consistent winner of Wing radar bombing championships.F-111F PAVE TACK: Among the first operational PAVE TACK (FLIR/Laser Designator) F-111F combat crews. First to identify a significant operating limitation of the PAVE TACK infrared imaging system, leading to its correction. Developed a key combat mission planning aid by condensing dispersed, difficult to interpret, multisource data. Qualified in low level laser-guided bomb deliveries.

Master'S Degree, Optical Science

Bachelor'S Degree, Engineering Physics W/ Astronautics Concentration

Education record

Education record