OUR TEAM
Our team's dedicated to providing engineering services and solutions for your projects or business needs. Roland Fuentes and Larry Watkins were colleagues at Teledyne Brown Engineering (TBE) for 24 years, where Roland was an Engineering Fellow.
Roland Fuentes
Mr. Fuentes provides innovative solutions to technical challenges encountered by projects at Watkins Technical Services. He developed an on-board high speed data acquisition system packaged within a gas gun projectile to record RPG-7 (Rocket-powered grenade) piezoelectric fuse voltage profiles. The fuse voltages were measured during impacts with several materials at typical RPG engagement velocities. These measurements aided in the design of several RPG pre-detonation materials. He also developed methods for manufacturing radar barrier screens and frames along with LCMR (Lightweight Counter Mortar Radar) decoys.
Mr. Fuentes aids the development of camouflage techniques and Line-of-Sight Denial screens utilized to increase base camp survivability. He provides support for PLC (Programmable Logic Control) systems for use with chemical process controls.
He has been honored by TBE as the Engineering Fellow for 2013.
Larry Watkins
Larry Watkins has an extensive background in systems engineering, process design, and fabrication. His accomplishments and expertise have been an integral part of his engineering efforts.
Process Design and Custom Equipment
Designed and fabricated chemical storage and automated feed systems for high concentration hydrofluoric and nitric acids for processing titanium aircraft landing gear products at United Technologies Landing Gear, Tullahoma, TN.
Designed and fabricated a variable temperature water heating system to separate layers of aircraft transparencies for PPG in Huntsville.
Designed and fabricated a pressure comparator device for testing and maintaining quality
control of capillary tubing for National Copper in Huntsville.
Designed and developed chemical treatment equipment for process piping surface preparation and hydrocarbon removal from stainless piping components for the Gaseous Centrifuge Module Manufacturing project. Processes included sodium carbonate, hydrochloric acid, fluorinated solvents and phosphate treatments.
Improvements to the Army’s White Phosphorus Modernization Program at Pine Bluff Arsenal. Tasks included design, fabrication, and integration of part cleaners, paint booths and robotic handling devices to a new manufacturing line for filling a variety of munitions. Experience with subcontractor relationships and acceptance testing.
Lead Engineer for the design, fabrication and testing of processing equipment for the destruction of nerve agent precursor contained in chemical drums at Pine Bluff Arsenal. Equipment was fully automated to reduce worker exposure pathways.
Served as an active duty Air Force Officer (CAPT). Project Engineer for the design, fabrication and operation of chemical process equipment and controls for the Chemical Oxygen-Iodine Laser (COIL). Specific experience with chlorine, hydrogen peroxide, caustics, high pressure gas, cryogenics and vacuum equipment. Designed iodine, singlet delta oxygen and water vapor diagnostic setups. Contracting officer for the technical support contractor with up to 10 personnel.
Facility and Vehicle Survivability/Camouflage Concealment and Deception
Managed and developed survivability technologies for fixed facilities for the US Army Corps of Engineers. This included development of coatings for infrared signature reduction, development of visual camouflage techniques and ballistic protection. Developed an engineered textile to detonate rocket propelled grenades prior to their impact on their intended targets.
Project Engineer for SOCOM-related hardware development: generated specifications and designs, conducted laboratory testing, field testing and user assessment in close conjunction with the user throughout the development cycle.
Project Engineer for signature and sensor performance modeling of armored vehicle systems and threat infrared and radar sensors. Coupled these data to an operational effectiveness model for inputs to Cost and Operational Effectiveness Analysis. Analyzed the effectiveness of signature treatments on top-attack smart weapons and Forward-Looking Infrared (FLIR) systems. Validation and verification of model results with test program data. Managed visual, near infrared, infrared, radar, acoustic, seismic and magnetic modeling and signature reduction technologies. Lead a team of twelve engineers and analysts.
Systems Engineering/Process Compliance
Technical Advisor for Teledyne Brown Engineering and the Canadian Government for assessing the compliance of the design and fabrication of both US and Russian-designed and manufactured nerve agent destruction processing equipment and processes associated with the Kizner Chemical Weapons Destruction Facility. Conducted inspections at facilities throughout the Russian Federation. Conducted quality inspections at various Russian Federation vendor sites.
Development of requirements and specifications, from system to detailed, throughout the DoD JCIDS process.
Methods for evaluation of design alternatives and requirements tracking and compliance.
Risk identification, tracking and mitigation.
Infrared Characterization and Materials
Developed an infrared spectrophotometric method for detection trace hydrocarbon contaminants in fluorinated organic solvents. The solvents were used to remove hydrocarbons from nuclear fuel process piping. The test was the basis for determining the cleanliness of the piping and acceptance testing.
Infrared coatings and treatments for protective armor E-glass panels.
Design and fabrication of ground vehicle visual and infrared targets and decoys for tank practice target ranges. Targets were used to validate the performance of battlefield identification friend or foe systems.
Developed and test infrared signature reduction methods for vehicles and personnel. Treatments were evaluated with a variety of autonomous and man-in-the-loop sensors.
Modeling of thermal infrared signatures for ground vehicles and backgrounds. Modeling and validation of infrared detection models, both autonomous and man-in-the-loop.
Infrared camouflage research and development for a camouflage production contract. Development of infrared reflective materials for terrestrial signature reduction applications. Initial technology developed from Optical Signatures Code data for ballistic missiles.
Education
M.S. Chemical Engineering, University of New Mexico, 1985
1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque, NM 87131
B.S. Chemical Engineering, Vanderbilt University, 1981
211 Kirkland Hall
Nashville, TN 37240
University of Alabama Huntsville
24 hours of Environmental Engineering Curriculum
Employers
Watkins Technical Services
Meridianville, AL
(2010-Present)
Teledyne Brown Engineering
Huntsville, AL
(1985-2010)
US Air Force
Air Force Phillips Laboratory
Active Duty Air Force Captain
Kirtland AFB, NM
(1981-1985)
Publications
Engineered Textiles for Detonation of Rocket Propelled Grenades
Military Sensing Symposia
February 2008
Screening for an Expedient Visual Barrier
Military Sensing Symposia
March 2007
Signature Performance of Coatings for Ballistic Panels
Military Sensing Symposia
March 2007
High Fidelity Visual and Infrared Signature Tank Targets
Military Sensing Symposia
March 2002
Effectiveness of Obscurants against Laser-Guided Munitions
Ground Vehicle Survivability Symposium
March 1998
Providing Vehicle Signature and Sensor Performance Information for the CASTFOREM Simulation
Ground Vehicle Survivability Symposium
March 1995
Ground Target Modeling and Validation Conference
August 1994
Development of Infrared Signature Reduction Materials for Thermal Camouflage Systems
Camouflage, Concealment and Deception Conference
October 1993
Infrared Signature Generation for Ground Vehicle Decoys
Ground Target and Modeling Validation Conference
August 1989