Systems Engineer

• Oct 2022 - Present

SYSTEMS ENGINEER supporting modernization activities on the Army’s Gray Eagle Endurance Unmanned Aircraft System (EUAS). Activities focus on the full spectrum of systems engineering (SE) activities including requirements analysis, system design, system integration, functional testing and associated documentation. Employ standard SE methods, processes and tools, including Model Based Systems Engineering (MBSE), to accomplish analysis, problem diagnosis and solution design, technology readiness assessment, integration and test preparation, risk assessment and mitigation planning and related activities. Collaborate with government personnel to identify required activities, perform planning, review deliverables, and resolve SE-related issues. Show less

Author, "The American Civil War: A Military Overview"

• May 2018 - Present

Author of the award winning "The American Civil War: A Military Overview" and six additional Civil War titles: 1) "...To Knock Jos. Johnston": Sherman, Atlanta, and the Sinews of War; 2) Grant Cuts Loose: Logistics and the Drive on Vicksburg; 3) Vicksburg Redeemed: An Assessment of Confederate Combined Operations During the Baton Rouge Campaign of 1862; 4) Dooming the Confederacy: The Decisive Battle of Champion Hill; 5) Star-Crossed: A Quantitative Reassessment of the Relative Combat Performance of the Army of Tennessee Compared to the Army of Northern Virginia; and 6) The Second Mississippi Infantry Regiment: An Introduction to the Full Annotated Roster. Available now on Amazon in paperback (The American Civil War, the 5 volume "bundle," and The Second Mississippi) and e-book formats. See the direct links in my Publications Section below. https://www.amazon.com/author/michaelrbrasher Show less

Systems Engineer

• Apr 2018 - Oct 2022

SYSTEMS ENGINEER supporting modernization activities on the Army’s Gray Eagle Endurance Unmanned Aircraft System (EUAS). Activities focus on the full spectrum of systems engineering (SE) activities including requirements analysis, system design, system integration, functional testing and associated documentation. Employ standard SE methods, processes and tools to accomplish analysis, problem diagnosis and solution design, technology readiness assessment, integration and test preparation, risk assessment and mitigation planning and related activities. Collaborate with government personnel to identify required activities, perform planning, review deliverables, and resolve SE-related issues. Show less

Systems Engineer

• Jun 2017 - Apr 2018

Systems engineer for MAG Aerospace, supporting avionics upgrades on Army Tactical Unmanned Aircraft Systems (TUAS) related to frequency reallocation requirements. My activities focus on the full spectrum of systems engineering (SE) activities including requirements analysis, system design, system integration, functional testing and associated documentation. I employ standard SE methods, processes and tools to accomplish analysis, problem diagnosis and solution design, integration and test preparation, risk assessment and mitigation planning and related activities. I collaborate with government personnel to identify required activities, perform collaborative planning, review deliverables, and resolve SE-related issues. Show less

GPS Advanced Technology Program

• Aug 2012 - Apr 2014

Lead Technologist, Advanced GPS Technologies

• Aug 2012 - Apr 2014

SAVED a minimum of $40M-$50M over the entire GPS constellation through the development of advanced technology, high efficiency L-Band power amplifiers. Began development of on-orbit reprogrammable digital waveform generator, and GPS phased array antenna, electric propulsion for GPS deployment, on-orbit station keeping, and advanced thermal management technologies for GPS applications. Requested and received significant Directorate core S&T funding to find new approaches for potential doubling of existing GPS spacecraft amplifier efficiencies. By increasing systems capability and reducing size, weight, power and systems costs, (SWAP-C) the program will save hundreds of millions of dollars over the lifetime of the GPS space constellation. Reducing the size and weight of the GPS spacecraft enough to deploy two per launch with the use of electric propulsion for final orbit insertion would save additional hundreds of millions of dollars. Show less

DEPUTY MISSION AREA LEAD, Defensive Space Control

• Jan 2010 - Sep 2012

DEFINED DIRECTORATE-WIDE STRATEGIC VISION AND LONG TERM GOALS. Implemented Mission Lead and Division-wide projects, developing key technology area portfolios. Balanced portfolio risks and opportunities, recommending projects to divest, reinvest and reallocate. Provided leadership oversight to ensure portfolio was managed within the agreed to budgets and schedules. Assessed program status on a continuing basis; provided leadership for ad-hoc and formal studies and maintained emphasis on full spectrum science and technology programs, as well as proposed flight experiments and advanced technology demonstrations (ATD’s). Actively advocated and provided systems engineering expertise for proposed flight experiment involving deployment of an advanced technology flexible solar array combined with high performance, high-power Hall current electric propulsion for orbit raising and spacecraft deployment demonstration.SERVED AS KEY LIAISON TO MULTIPLE PARTNERS AND STAKEHOLDERS. Developed, oversaw and worked cooperatively to lead jointly-funded programs. Maintained relationships with Air Force Space Command (AFSPC), Space and Missile Systems Center (SMC), Headquarters AFRL, Missile Defense Agency (MDA), Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) and other major customers. PRESENTATIONS AND REPORTING: Developed and presented semi-annual DSC tech area status reviews to the Space Vehicles Directorate Corporate Board. Delivered recommendations for future directions and funding.SIGNIFICANT ACCOMPLISHMENT:—SUCCESSFULLY MANAGED BUDGET CUTS IN $40M PROGRAM PORTFOLIO WHILE ENABLING MISSION AREA CAPABILITY IMPROVEMENTS relative to each of four mission areas' program portfolios. Used modern operations research techniques; developed and implemented a more transparent budgeting process, allowing program interdependences to be captured, ranking factors to be quantified, and deserving programs continued. Preserved DSC's ability to transition new technologies to warfighters. Show less

PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR, Advanced Plug-and-Play Technology

• Nov 2008 - Apr 2010

LED APT TEAM RESEARCH PROGRAM whose goal was to fly and demonstrate on orbit an advanced plug-and-play satellite bus and associated mission payload before the end of FY 13. This technology was viable for most small satellites of mass less than about 500 kg. My role was to ensure the science activities before and during the flight were executed so as to provide the maximum benefit to the Air Force in improving its mission capabilities. Selected to lead project team based on history of high level performance. SIGNIFICANT ACCOMPLISHMENT:—RECOMMENDED TERMINATION OF PROGRAM, SAVING $60M+ IN FUTURE PROGRAM COSTS. Upon appointment, through hardware-in-the-loop ground testing and simulations, recognized escalating problem with plug-and-play control language software and hardware that would add unacceptable, inevitable costs to the flight experiment. The primary problem revolved around the fact the planned spacecraft orbit was in a high radiation environment, thus requiring a rad-hard flight computer. Unfortunately, the performance of rad-hard computers is typically a generation or two behind commercial unhardened designs. Thus, the computer performance was not adequate for the large overhead required in the bus and payload command software. Raised concerns to upper management about the viability of the program, which had unfortunately been initiated prior to having the necessary technology in place to enable reaching program goals. Convinced leadership that cost and schedule overruns would almost inevitably doom program if not postponed. Balance of program was remanded for further development. Show less

DEPUTY DIRECTOR, Plans and Programs

• Nov 2006 - Nov 2008

PROVIDED LEADERSHIP OF LONG TERM STRATEGIC PLANNING ACTIVITIES including continuing support as a key member of the Operationally Responsive Space (ORS) Focused Long Term Challenge (FLTC) since its inception. The objective of this FLTC was to provide for shortened turn-around times for integration, checkout, launch and deployment of time critical spacecraft. Provided expertise and awareness of the status of bus, payload and launch vehicle technologies which supported the FLTC, including plug-and-play technologies and autonomous mission support software development. Show less