By Erin Harmeyer

When the U.S. National Guard made the decision to install the former Information Technology & Applications Corporation's (ITAC) Wideband Imagery Dissemination Systems (WIDS) in 50 states and four U.S. territories, Kerry Pollock was excited but also somewhat apprehensive.

Photo by Mark Regan, Reston, Va.
Real-time imagery — Rockwell Collins Intelligence Solutions is located in Reston, Va., a suburb of Washington, D.C. Employees in this location develop capabilities such as our Wideband Imagery Dissemination Systems (WIDS) that support homeland security and the global war on terror.

A senior intelligence systems engineer at this Reston, Va.-based company, Pollock was thrilled about the contract extension, but not sure he would enjoy the amount of travel required to ensure proper implementation.

"I wasn't sure I was going to like the travel," admitted Pollock. "But I've found this opportunity so enriching. From experiencing Cajun food in Louisiana to eating brats in Boston, I've had so many new experiences."

Manufactured at what is now referred to as Rockwell Collins Intelligence Solutions, the WIDS system provides near real-time imagery. In addition to being used by the military, the system also was used following Hurricane Katrina to indicate how to safely access flooded areas and homes where people needed to be rescued.

After providing 95 percent of the commercial and national satellite imagery following the 2005 crisis, the National Guard signed a contract with ITAC - acquired in August 2007 by Rockwell Collins - to implement the system nationwide.

According to Pollock, who is responsible for installing the system around the nation, the contract win has kept employees in Reston extremely busy.

"This is a really valuable asset for each of our states to have," said Pollock, who joined our company in August 2007 via our acquisition of ITAC. "All of the flooding this year throughout the Midwest just verifies how important it is to have this sort of imagery available to respond to natural disasters."

A new organization

Upon completion of the 2007 acquisition - which enhanced our company's vision to become more of a solutions provider instead of a products provider - Rockwell Collins gained about 80 employees. The majority of those employees are located in Reston, but others are situated in facilities in Anaheim, Calif., Fort Gordon, Ga., and Melbourne, Fla.

Initially, Rockwell Collins managed the newly-acquired capabilities through our Electronic Warfare and Signals Intelligence (EW/SIGINT) business. But, the formation of Rockwell Collins Intelligence Solutions enabled our company to enhance our intelligence capabilities and focus on supporting the global war on terror and homeland security.

By acquiring capabilities such as the Wideband Imagery Dissemination System, Rockwell Collins is now able to assist the military through the use of real-time imagery, video, and other geospatial products.

According to Dan Wells, a program manager who began working at the former ITAC in 2000, the company's focus remains the same despite the fact it is now part of a larger entity.

"It's been a win-win situation for both ITAC and Rockwell Collins in that we can do a lot more with our technology now that we're part of a bigger company," said Wells. "Our main goal is to continue disseminating imagery and intelligence to war fighters, and I believe we're doing a great job."

Along with WIDS, our employees in Reston also develop Communications Intelligence (COMINT) subsystems, as well as other Satellite Communications (SATCOM), and Geospatial-Intelligence Information Systems (GIS) for customers including the U.S. Army, Military Special Operations, and the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency.

And, in an effort to remain competitive, our employees in Reston are continually working to improve our intelligence solutions, said Pollock.

"Technology is constantly evolving, and we're already looking at ways to update our systems from receive-only technologies to two-way systems," explained Pollock. "The job is constantly changing as technology evolves, and that's exciting."

Tight-knit atmosphere

A suburb of Washington, D.C., Reston was the first planned community constructed following World War II. Rockwell Collins employees who work in this city of about 60,000 note its proximity to our nation's capital as one of the community's perks.

Photo by Mark Ragan, Reston, Va.
A great addition — Program Manager Dan Wells joined Rockwell Collins via our acquisition of the former Information Technology & Applications Corporation (ITAC) in August 2007. The acquisition enhanced our company's ability to become more of a solutions provider.

"I love living and working in the Washington, D.C. area," said Pollock, who is a native of Lafayette, La. "It's nice to be such a short distance from all of those things for which our capitol city is famous. There's always something to do."

Another thing Pollock enjoys about working at the Rockwell Collins facility in Reston is its small size and family-like atmosphere. About 25 employees are housed in the 10,000-square-foot suite.

"Since we have such a small office, everyone is on a first name basis [in Reston]," said Pollock. "What we do in Reston is small, but we're a group dedicated to the much larger Rockwell Collins picture."

In addition to having employees in Reston, Rockwell Collins also has about 15 employees working on-site with one of our customers just a short drive away in nearby Chantilly, Va. These employees are working to develop technologies with the National Reconnaissance Office.

"Everyone integrates really well out here," said Pollock. "We're happy to be part of the Rockwell Collins family, yet we're still able to continue doing what we have always done."