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Applied Mathematics |Прикладная математика

LESSON 4

Read the text: MCDONNELL DOUGLAS CORPORATION

Among the principle products MDC produces in St. Louis are fighter and commercial aircraft, rockets, tactical missiles, and helicopters. The OA department provides MDC decision makers with quantitative, objective bases for evaluation options in the general areas of Warfare Analysis,  System Design,  Cost Analysis,  Risk Management,  Technology Prioritization, Competitive Assessments, and  Manufacturing Processes. "Mathematics plays a central role in the activities of the OA department," notes Jerry. "We use digital computer programs to simulate and study the performance and effectiveness of our products." These programs are based on mathematical models of the flight characteristics, wartime threat environment and performance of radar or IR detection devices. For example, Jerry's department developed a Genetic Algorithm methodology that helps them find optimal solutions to large, poorly defined problems, such as Air-to-Air combat tactics. These problems are not amenable to solution by classical calculus-based techniques.

Recently, people in his department worked on a problem that arose during the test phase of the C-17 Globemaster, the new short-takeoff and landing military transport plane for the U.S. Air Force. "One of the roles of the C-17 is to deliver paratroops to a combat zone," says Jerry. "During an early paratroop test phase, using mannequins instead of live troops, it was discovered that under certain flight conditions, the parachute canopies of the dropped mannequins.This was not acceptable course, and could have caused a major delay in the program. "Two analysts from the OA department devised a Taguchi design-of-experiments model to seek flight conditions that would provide safe (non-colliding) jumps. The analysts accompanied Air Force and Army personnel into the desert test drop zone to witness jumps and develop test data.

"Their work was successful," says Jerry. "Aircraft speed, flap settings, deck angles and other parameter values were found for which the mannequin jumps were contact free. Safe live jumps followed. The $19 billion program continued with no delay, the aircraft is now in service and has delivered people and equipment to Bosnia."

Jerry has a B.A. and M.S. in mathematics from Southern Illinois University - Carbondale, and a Ph.D. in applied mathematics from Purdue University. He was with MDC 29 years, first working on the interplanetary mission analysis problems with the Viking Mars Lander program. He also worked on mission analysis problems for the Galileo atmospheric Probe Mission to Jupiter and on the Shuttle Orbiter program. Later, he joined the OA department where he used stochastic modeling to analyze the survivability of the Harpoon and Tomahawk tactical cruise missiles. "This was a totally different kind of mathematics from what I had been doing on the space programs," says Jerry, "and illustrates the versatility that people with math backgrounds can bring to industry." Later he moved into management, first in the Strategic Management organization responsible for technology investment prioritization and finally into his position as department head.

"My original reason for seeking a job in industry was my total fascination with the U.S. space program and a desire to be a part of it," recalls Jerry. "Students with mathematics backgrounds will have several choices as to what industry to go into. I suggest they follow their heart." He enjoyed the challenge of working on real world problems and maintained his academic ties by teaching evening courses at Washington University in St. Louis, where he plans to continue teaching. In addition to taking the standard mathematics courses, he recommends students take as many physical science and engineering courses as their schedules permit, and get competent with computers. "Once on the job", says Jerry, "develop and maintain a sense of humor. Learn to accept and deal with bureaucracy. Be proactive about you career - look for opportunities for advancement and accept change in the workplace."

1. Match the left part with the right:

2. Complete the sentences with the suggested words:contact, continued, delivered, found, successful

         "Their work was____________," says Jerry. "Aircraft speed, flap settings, deck angles and other parameter values were _____________for which the mannequin jumps were ________ free. Safe live jumps followed. The $19 billion program ___________with no delay, the aircraft is now in service and has ____________people and equipment to Bosnia."