Education
1982 Master of Science, Physics,
The Ohio State University (Columbus)
Columbus, Ohio USA
1979 Bachelor of Science, Physics,
The Ohio State University (Columbus)
Columbus, Ohio USA
Employment History
2004–Present Principal Research Scientist
Georgia Institute of Technology
Atlanta, Georgia USA
1997–2004 Senior Research Scientist
Georgia Institute of Technology
Atlanta, Georgia USA
1989–1997 Research Scientist II
Georgia Institute of Technology
Atlanta, Georgia USA
1986–1989 Research Engineer
IIT Research Institute
USA
1985–1986 Associate Engineer
IIT Research Institute
USA
1982–1985 Member of Technical Staff
Quest Research Corporation
USA
Experience Summary
At GTRI, specializes in threat and countermeasure analysis. Recent work has led to production decisions involving enhanced protection capability for the Air Mobility Command. Additionally, an entirely new testing concept for preemptive flare countermeasures has been developed in the span of October 2001 to May 2003 and applied to both transport and fighter aircraft. This work is integral to both the equipment carried on the aircraft for self-protection and the tactics used in employing the equipment. Mr. Carstensen has supported eleven major flight tests between September of 1999 and July of 2003. Work in 2005 included flare pattern development for the C-5, AC-130, MC-130, EC-130, C-130, C-26, MH-53, RC-12, and RC-7B aircraft. The level of support included the design of several types of flare patterns for each aircraft and then the testing of each flare pattern to determine the top performer. The digital simulation work performed was invaluable in rapidly converging to highly-effective solutions. The work is based on circuit-level simulations of various heat-seeking missile systems and their response to countermeasures. Countermeasures include warning systems, flare decoys, and directional infrared jammer sources. Infrared signatures of aircraft and the signature of the aircraft against terrain and sky backgrounds are an essential portion of the countermeasure analysis. The expertise has been successfully applied to the evaluation of the counter-countermeasure performance of the AIM-9X next-generation Sidewinder heat-seeking missile. From 1985 to 1989 worked with IIT Research Institute as a Research Engineer. Work centered on survivability enhancements for the C-5, C-141, and C-130 aircraft. Has experience with smart munitions effectiveness modeling and was instrumental in developing the Generic Smart Indirect fire Simulation (GENESIS) software. Worked for Quest Research Corporation from 1982 to 1985 dealing with various aspects of laser-based countermeasures to heat seeking missiles. Work also included infrared signature analysis of various aircraft and integration studies of infrared countermeasure suites.
Current Fields of Interest
Design of flare decoy patterns using genetic algorithms. On-going work involves the validation of the digital models of heat-seeking missiles. Studies also include infrared protection of A-10, F-16, MH-53, H-60, and C-130 and C-17 aircraft.
Mr. Carstensen is the developer of the Continuing Education Short Course: “Directed Infrared Countermeasure Technology, Modeling, and Testing.” Mr. Carstensen teaches a day-long segment on flare countermeasures for the Georgia Tech Infrared Countermeasures Course.
Certifications, Affiliations & Special Honors
1998-2000 President, Peach Tree Roost , Association of Old Crows
1993-1998 Board of Directors, Peach Tree Roost , Association of Old Crows
Committee Memberships
Reports & Publications
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"Air National Guard Infrared Countermeasure Roadmap," Final Report WL-TR-92-1046, September 1992,"
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"Enhanced Protection for the HH-60G Rescue Helicopter, Report prepared for Air National Guard, Air Force Reserve Test Center, August 2002.,"
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"Comparison of the Infrared Susceptibility of the C-130J Aircraft to the C-130H Aircraft, Report prepared for Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center (AFOTEC), September 1999,"
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"Training Material for the Digital Simulation of the Common Missile Warning System, Computer simulations prepared for AFOTEC, June 1999,"
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"The C-130 and the IR Threat, Report prepared for Air Combat Command and Air Mobility Command, June 1997,"
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Author of twelve papers in the Infrared Information Symposium Specialty Group for Infrared Countermeasures, (Now the Military Sensing Symposium Specialty Group on Infrared Countermeasures).
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"GENEric Smart Indirect Fire Simulation - Software, User/Analysts Manuals," Prepared for U.S. Army Material Command, Smart Weapons Management Office, April 1989,"
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"Sensor Model Effects," Final Report, AFWAL-TR-86-1006, September 1986,"
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"IRCM Effectiveness Assessment Techniques," Final Report, AFWAL-TR-84-1207, March 1985,"
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"Advanced Infrared Countermeasure Experiments," Final Report, AFWAL-TR-84-1088, Parts I and II, July 1984,"
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"C-17 Infrared Protection Analysis Trial Embow 1996, Report prepared for Air Mobility Command, Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, January 1997,"
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"Military Airlift Survivability Study," Volumes I-IV, Final Report for USAF/ASD/XRS, November 1987,"
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"C-130 and C-141 Infrared Protection Study, Final Report prepared for Warner Robins Air Logistics Center, December 1992,"
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"Airlift Aircraft Self-Defense IRCM Analysis," Volumes, I-V, AFWAL-TR-86-1110, November 1986,"
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"Scatter Analysis of Two Optical systems, Final Report, AFWAL-TR-87-1016, July 1985,"