Alion modeling will help Air Force design better weapons

Alion Science and Technology Inc. will furnish the Air Force with weapons modeling and simulation services under a contract valued at $5 million.

The award calls for the employee-owned technology provider to support the Air Force 711th Human Performance Wing/Human Performance Integration Directorate in evaluating human performance factors on Air Force weapon systems.

Alion’s work will help the Air Force measure performance and improve weapon systems, company officials said.

The Alion-operated Modeling and Simulation Information Analysis Center contract includes analyzing human performance on weapon system capability and readiness through the Air Force’s Human Systems Integration (HSI) program.

HSI looks at system design and acquisition from a human perspective so as to reduce life cycle costs and optimize system performance, Alion officials said.

Under the contract, Alion will provide HSI expertise, human performance modeling, systems engineering and analysis of the interface between humans and machines.

The technology will ensure that the soldier is an integral part of weapon system design, integration, operation and performance.

The period of performance runs through May 2011. The work is sponsored by the Defense Technical Information Center at Fort Belvoir, Va.

Alion Science and Technology, of McLean, Va., ranks No. 39 on Washington Technology’s 2009 Top 100 list of the largest federal government prime contractors.