In the best of win-win situations, Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division-China Lake (NAWCWPNS-CL) recently signed a second cooperative research and development agreement (CRADA) with Apple Computer, Inc. The CRADA’s title, “Development and Testing of Emerging Technologies in Computational Science and Communications/Networking,” translates into a shared effort between users and developers to advance computer technology.

This continuing partnership allows analyses and engineering investigations within China Lake’s scientific and technical environment of such emerging technologies as cross-platform, component-based, object-oriented software modules, while enabling the China Lake community to furnish its technical requirements directly to Apple. “The CRADA will provide us with continued excellent access to Apple technology, software, and problem solving,” stated NAWCWPNS Commander Adm. Jack Chenevy. Robin Abrams, Apple America’s senior vice president for Apple Sales, acknowledged that NAWCWPNS also has the opportunity to play a pivotal role for Apple in their attempts to get more Apple computers and specific military computer applications into the military and government marketplace.

Apple’s continuing effort to bring new and enhanced products to the market depends heavily on the willingness of customers like China Lake to test early versions of products and provide detailed and accurate feed back. For example, when Apple decided to change one of its sets of read-only memory (ROM) chips by combining the functions of five chips into one, engineers at China Lake evaluated the newly designed, compact chip and quickly presented Apple with a “problem set” for the new chip. Apple responded by fixing the problems and redesigning the chip before its commercial release. Recent Apple projects, such as Apple Talk Service for Windows, Open Doc, Open Transport and User Authentication, have reaped the benefits of close interaction resulting form the CRADA relationship.

From China Lake’s point of view, major products resulting from the first successful cooperative agreement include the development of several computer-based tools for military applications. The Analyst’s Workbench (AWB) and the High-Speed Anti-Radiation Missile (HARM) Configuration Management Trainer, a ground based training tool for F/A-18 pilots, number among these accomplishments. Also noteworthy is the redesign and expansion of the capabilities of the Apple Talk Phase II communications networking software to accommodate over 4,000 users (the original networking design was viable for only 265 connections).

With both organizations working together, the problems in a networking project of this magnitude were identified early-on by China Lake scientists and engineers. Solutions were worked out by both parties before Apple Talk Phase II was commercially released. The final network conversion proceeded smoothly.

The recent signing of a second agreement paves the way for the continuance of the productive, mutually beneficial working relationship. Building on the expanded network design, the development of AppleShare 5.0, which will connect all NAWCWPNS and NAVAIR Team sites using Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP). It includes a built-in web server and electronic mail system that is well under way. Apple will also be addressing the NAWCWPNS requirement to move to Windows NT file and print servers by providing continued interoperability between operating systems.

NAWCWPNS Computer Scientist Mark Kolstoe attests to the suitability of the NAWCWPNS multi-site environment for network development, saying , “If a model of computer has ever been made, we have at least one of them on our network. If we can build a stable networking environment that works here, it will work anywhere.”

The second CRADA also brings the proposed development of more software tools similar to the HARM CMT. With emphasis on controlled access and secure Apple/UNIX design features, this CRADA may open a window for Apple to enter into the virtual battlefield simulation arena.

Excerpted from NAWCWPNS-China Lakes publication The Rocketeer. Original story written by Susan Hennigan.