Robert M. Finn, Ph.D.
EMPLOYMENT
Analytic Services, Inc. (ANSER) 1975 - 1979, 1981-Present
MITRE Corporation 1979 - 1981
Syracuse University Research Corporation 1969 - 1975
George Washington University 1982 - Present
George Mason University 1993 - Present
EDUCATION
Ph.D., Physics, Syracuse University, Syracuse, N.Y.
B.S., Physics, LeMoyne College, Syracuse, N.Y.
EXPERIENCE OVERVIEW
Dr. Robert Finn received his Ph.D. in experimental solid state physics from Syracuse University in 1969. In subsequent positions, he became widely experienced in the analysis and evaluation of specialized radar systems, satellite communications systems, telecommunication technology, terrestrial and space-based missile warning systems, and infrared systems and technology.
Dr. Finn has been with ANSER Corporation for 20 years. For the past 10 years, he has served as Division Manager, responsible for staff support of Headquarters, U.S. Air Force activities in radar, satellite communications, and satellite-based infrared detection systems. In addition, he has managed all ANSER activities for the Air Force Scientific Advisory Board, from the definition of study terms of reference through production of final reports. He has been responsible for the work of approximately 15 members of the technical staff. Earlier, as ANSER Senior Physicist, he concentrated largely in Air Force programs related to electronic warfare and radar and satellite systems for strategic surveillance and warning.
For two years, Dr. Finn served as Senior Systems Engineer in the Command, Control, and Communications Division of MITRE Corporation where he was involved in analyses of several strategic and tactical communications systems. His previous experience was with Syracuse University Research Corporation. There he was associated with field and laboratory radar studies as well as basic studies of electron photoemission.
Dr. Finn is Professorial Lecturer at George Washington University where he has developed and taught courses in telecommunication concepts, technologies, and systems. More recently, he introduced a graduate-level course in Military Communications at George Mason University. He also presents short courses in related material for the Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association (AFCEA).
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Organized and directed the work of approximately 15 members of the staff on programs for Headquarters, U.S. Air Force. Recruited and trained staff, prepared salary and promotion recommendations, coordinated sharing of staff with other ANSER units. Served as ANSER point of contact with senior Air Force officers for studies of strategic radars, space-based missile warning systems, satellite communications, and, recently, meteorological satellites. Also, directed the application of senior staff, company-wide, to approximately 40 studies conducted by the USAF Scientific Advisory Board.
Electronic Warfare. Summarized the threat of electronic countermeasures (ECM) to the new generation of Air Force communications systems. Coauthored briefing of results to USAF Scientific Advisory Board. Surveillance and Warning. Project leader for analysis of potential capabilities and missions of a new satellite missile early warning system. Coauthored Advanced Warning System Study. Summarized the relationship between information provided by missile warning systems and the information requirements of decision makers who would be required to select a response to a nuclear attack. Coauthored Ballistic Missile TW/AA Information Tradeoff Analysis. Fiber Optic Communications. Evaluated potential application of fiber optic technology in aircraft and spacecraft. Influenced direction of Air Force program elements that contained support for related technology. Authored briefing, USAF Fiber Optic Communications.
Surveillance and Warning. Analyzed the proposed direct interface of the fleet of E-4 Airborne Command Posts (NEACP and Looking Glass) with satellite-borne nuclear detonation (NUDET) Planning: NUDET Sensor Interfaces. Mobile/Transportable Communications. Examined sensors. Examined relevant operational issues and provided cost estimates. Author of E-4 Growth the requirements, capabilities, and operational concepts for the Joint Crisis Management Capability. Analyzed competing aircraft and deployment alternatives. Summarized potential communications suite implementations. Coauthor of Assessment of Candidate Alternatives for Joint Crisis Management Capability (JCMC) Implementation.
Intelligence. Used high-precision microwave data to produce three-dimensional size/shape estimates of four USSR satellites. Authored data summary and analysis reports on Cosmos 315, Cosmos 395, Cosmos 405, and Cosmos 567. Communications. Developed a computerized model of a phase-shift keyed communications channel. Nuclear Weapons' Effects. Surveyed the hardening of radar installations against blast, neutrons, gammas, and other nuclear weapons' effects. Radar Applications. Defined a sorting logic for radar signal parameters, facilitating a battlefield radar assessment system. Led experimental programs to evaluate use of radio frequency intermodulation effects in military applications. Coauthored Scattering from Non-Linear Loaded Conducting Bodies and An Intermodulation Radar Study. Electron Microscopy. Studied potential applications of electron microscopy to problems in forensic science. Materials Science. Correlated the energy distribution of photoelectrons with the dislocation density induced in several photoemitters.
Solid State Physics. Doctoral program. Determined the thermionic emission parameters and studied low-energy electron diffraction (LEED) from (100)-oriented single crystals of tantalum in ultrahigh vacuum. Chemical Physics. Analyzed the ionization kinetics of alkaline earth elements on several incandescent metal surfaces.
Developed new course in Military Communications for graduate-level engineers.
Presented courses in Principles of Communications and Survey of Telecommunication Systems for professionals drawn from the telecommunications industry. Developed new course in Applications of Telecommunication Technology. Prepared materials for Masters' examinations; served as technical representative to program's advisory board.
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), Senior Member
American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA)
Member, AIAA Communications Technical Committee
Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association (AFCEA)
Inter-Agency Seminar Group
Alpha Sigma Nu
PUBLICATIONS
Journal Articles
Measurement of the Thermionic Emission Parameters of Tantalum (100) by a Retarding Method, (with D. J. Nicholson and J. W. Trischka) Surface Science 34 (1973), 522-546.
Contributed Papers
Analysis of Cosmos 315 and Other Mission-Related Satellites (with A. Moceyunas). Contributed paper, Fifth North American Satellite Identification Conference, Colorado Springs, Colorado, July 1973.
Scanning Electron Microscope/Microprobe Applications to Forensic Science (with C. Anderson). Contributed paper, Electron Probe Analysis Society of American Conference, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, July 1971.
Measurement of the Thermionic Emission Parameters of Tantalum (100) by Retarding Method. Contributed paper, 29th Physical Electronics Conference, New Haven, Connecticut, March 1969.
Technical Reports
Ballistic Missile Tactical Warning and Attack Assessment (TW/AA) Information Tradeoff Analysis (with C. Smith), for Hq USAF/RDSD, 1984.
Advanced Warning System Study (with G. Rudolph), for Aerospace Corporation, 1983.
Assessment of Candidate Alternatives for Joint Crisis Management Capability (JCMC) Implementation (with A. DiPietro and G. Lipsey), for Defense Communications Agency/WWMCCS System Engineering, 1980.
E-4 Growth Planning: NUDET Sensor Interfaces (with V. Keder), for Defense Communications Agency, WWMCCS System Engineering, 1980.
Range-Coverage Calculations for Joint Crisis Management Capability (JCMC) Capability 2 and Capability 3 Aircraft Candidates, for Defense Communications Agency, WWMCCS System Engineering, 1980.
ECM/ECCM Evaluation Program, Volume 9: Precision Considerations in Large Adaptive Arrays (with J. Verzino and R. Wallenberg), for U.S. Army/BMDATC, 1976.
Data Summary and Analysis Report on Cosmos 563 (Object 6667). Prepared as SURC TR 74-161 for Lincoln Laboratory, M.I.T., 1974.
Data Summary and Analysis Report on Cosmos 395 and 405 (Objects 4955 and 5253). Prepared as SURC TR 73-337 for Lincoln Laboratory, M.I.T., 1973.
Data Summary and Analysis Report on Cosmos 315 (Object 4273) (with A. Moceyunas and M. Rafael). Prepared as SURC TR 73-163 for Lincoln Laboratory, M.I.T., 1973.
Scattering from Nonlinear Loaded Conducting Bodies (with H. K. Schuman). Final report, Project N00014-72-C-0016 performed for the Office of Naval Research, 1972.
An Intermodulation Radar Study (with L. Boyko and H. K. Schuman). Final report, Project N000l9-72-C-0l93 performed for Naval Air Systems Command, 1972.
An Extreme Ultraviolet Photoemission Study. Final report, Project NSR 33-144-002 performed for National Aeronautics and Space Agency, 1969.
Measurement of the Thermionic Emission Parameters of Tantalum (100) by a Retarding Method. Dissertation: Syracuse University, 1969.