AEDC's facility computer enhancement project

The Arnold Engineering Development Center (AEDC) constitutes the largest collection of test cells, wind tunnels, altitude chambers, and ballistic ranges in the free world. AEDC is presently in the midst of an aggressive investment program to decrease the cost of aerospace testing by improving test efficiency and preparing for test requirements projected through 1993. To achieve the desired gains in testing, a multimillion dollar program has been initiated to upgrade data-processing capabilities. This effort, the Facility Computer Enhancement Program (FCEP), replaces the existing facility with new and more powerful computers and state-of-the-art communications networks that link all test processors at AEDC. Tradeoffs and technical considerations during the first year of the program and the design of the new system are discussed. Capabilities that support test objectives at the completion of the project are presented.<
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