Parsons Fredericksburg
QRC LLC a Parsons Company Fredericksburg, VA 22401 The Senior EMS Modeling and Simulation Engineer will work to help build and design the next generation of QRC's software defined radio products. Major (ret) USAF Richard Earl Parsons Ex-POW WW II in Germany, of Fredericksburg, Texas passed away in the V.A. Hospital in Kerrville, Texas, on Wednesday, May 31st, 2017, at the age of 96 years.
Q&A With Mark Coleman, Vice President Of QRC® Technologies
As we continue delivering specialized products for our Department of Defense customers, we sat down with Mark Coleman, vice president of QRC® Technologies, to discuss how the group is developing smart, scalable products to meet spectrum management challenges.
QRC is an agile, disruptive product company headquartered in Fredericksburg, VA., that specializes in radio frequency spectrum survey, record and playback; signals intelligence; and electronic warfare missions for the U.S. Special Operations Command, U.S. Intelligence Community, U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps and international customers.
- What’s the significance of the WBT-3202?
- At the core of the WBT-3202 is a software-defined radio (SDR) that’s wholly designed, developed, and produced in house. In addition, it extends frequency from 6 GHz to 18 GHz, and the architecture allows for the expansion to 40 GHz in the future. The bandwidth is also significantly increased, from 50 MHz per channel to 160 MHz per channel , for a total instantaneous bandwidth of 320 MHz. As our customers begin to focus on new complex signals, the additional frequency range and bandwidth will enable users to capture the spectrum of frequency-agile communications and RADAR systems.
- What does the new radio mean for Parsons (QRC)?
- This radio both presents an increase in capability for spectrum recording and also will serve as the foundation for our line of products with the SDR at its core. This foundation, or platform, allows us to develop cutting-edge software applications to solve our customers’ challenges in both near and long terms. The proprietary design will also enable us to control and expand the platform as the need arises.
- What will the new radio allow Parsons (QRC) to do?
- This new SDR is a launching point for a whole host of products designed to enable users to characterize, control, and dominate the electromagnetic spectrum. These solutions include products encompassing signature management, electronic warfare, cyberspace operations, information warfare, and military deception.
- Concurrent with the development of the radio is next year’s launch of signal detection and recognition software powered by artificial intelligence/machine learning (AI/ML) algorithms. This radio frequency machine learning (RFML) will form the software underpinning alongside the hardware foundation of the QRC SDR.
- What else is going on at Parsons (QRC)?
- In addition to the line of software defined radios, we’ll continue to provide integrated solutions focused on advanced network survey and wireless device detection. We’ll be delivering solutions focused on 5G, the next generation of Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and the Internet of Things.
- What can we expect to see from Parsons (QRC) in 2021?
- 2021 is going to be a pivotal year for QRC. Until now, QRC was known as the cellular survey company or as the company that made the WBT. We want to expand on these roots. We have a history in characterizing the RF portion of the electromagnetic spectrum, but as we transition from products that characterize the spectrum to ones that control and ultimately dominate the EMS, 2021 will be highlighted by a number of new efforts:
- First, we will launch a spectrum-awareness solution that will learn new electromagnetic spectrum signatures from the tactical edge and transition that learned behavior to other units in the field. This technology will be powered by machine learning algorithms that will significantly reduce the time needed to identify and learn new signal types.
- Second, we are developing a solution that enables users to pair the core technology that powers our WBT® family of products with third parties, allowing them to record spectrum with the ease of a WBT from any SDR.
- And finally, we will continue to lead in cellular survey and develop tools to capture and survey Wi-Fi and Bluetooth devices. In addition, we’ll be launching a solution focused on making sense of your own electromagnetic signatures.
We are pleased to announce that we have agreed to acquire Polaris Alpha, an advanced, technology-focused provider of innovative mission solutions for complex defense, intelligence, and security customers, as well as other U.S. federal government customers.Among the company’s myriad of customers are the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and the Department of Justice.
PASADENA, CA (May 21, 2018) – Parsons today announced its agreement to acquire Polaris Alpha, an advanced, technology-focused provider of innovative mission solutions for complex defense, intelligence, and security customers, as well as other U.S. federal government customers. Parsons’ agreement to acquire Polaris Alpha, from private equity firm Arlington Capital Partners, is the latest in the company’s series of strategic investments focused on companies with technologies aligned to evolving threats in the land, sea, air, space, and cyber domains.
Parsons’ existing artificial intelligence (AI), signals intelligence, and data analytics expertise supporting defensive and offensive cybersecurity missions will be expanded by the integration of Polaris Alpha’s machine learning, data, video, multi-source analytics, and automated reasoning technologies. Polaris Alpha’s portfolio of electromagnetic (EM) warfare, signals intelligence (SIGINT), space situational awareness, and multi-domain command and control (C2) technologies will significantly increase the scale and scope of Parsons’ capabilities and customer relationships. Both companies support the U.S. intelligence community, numerous U.S. Department of Defense agencies, the Department of Homeland Security, and other federal agencies, including the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and the Department of Justice.
“The agreement to acquire Polaris Alpha is the latest transformative move for Parsons that takes our technology solutions strategy to a new level with customers needing advanced solutions to rapidly evolving threats,” said Chuck Harrington, Parsons’ Chairman and CEO. “With the integration of Polaris Alpha into Parsons, we enhance our proven artificial intelligence and data analytics expertise with new technologies and solutions, the demand for which is growing exponentially.”
Polaris Alpha has more than 1,300 employees, with nearly 90% maintaining security clearances. The company’s major office locations are in Colorado Springs, CO; Columbia, MD; Aberdeen, MD; and Fredericksburg, VA; with additional offices, research and development facilities, and onsite customer operations in several other states and the United Kingdom.
“Parsons and Polaris Alpha customers, many of which are common to both companies, will benefit from existing, complementary technologies and increased scale, enabling end-to-end solutions under our shared vision of rapid prototyping and agile development,” said Carey Smith, President of Parsons’ Federal business unit. “Our integration plan for the two companies is simple: combine Parsons’ and Polaris Alpha’s capabilities and cultures for the benefit of our customers and employees. We are fully committed to continuing to attract, develop, and retain the best talent in our industry.”
Parsons Fredericksburg
Peter Cannito, Polaris Alpha’s CEO, added, “The combination of Polaris Alpha into Parsons is a logical continuation of our strategy to deliver highly differentiated technical capabilities for the government’s most critical missions. Joining Parsons significantly broadens our access to new markets, solidifies our ability to deliver at scale, and provides a unique opportunity for our employees to continue to have a meaningful role in a transformative culture and premier organization.”
Polaris Alpha was formed through Arlington Capital’s merger of EOIR Technologies, Intelligent Software Solutions (ISS), and Proteus Technologies. In 2017, Intelesys and Solidyn were added, and in April 2018, 4D was acquired.
“Polaris Alpha has grown rapidly both organically and through strategic acquisitions to become a recognized leader in the space and cyber domains. The strength of the Polaris Alpha management team has enabled the company to combine leading technical capabilities with a deep understanding of its customers’ missions while establishing a strong, unified culture,” stated Michael Lustbader, a Managing Partner at Arlington Capital. “We are excited to watch many of our key technology and infrastructure investments continue to pay dividends under Parsons’ leadership.”
David Wodlinger, a Partner at Arlington Capital, added, “Polaris Alpha occupies a unique market position by not only architecting and developing new cutting-edge technologies through its research and development programs, but also efficiently transitioning those same technologies to support the most critical operations conducted by the national security community in the emerging domains of warfare. We are thrilled to have played a role in that strategy and believe Parsons’ increased scale and dedication to the same customers can take it to the next level.”
Polaris Alpha will become part of Parsons’ Federal business unit, led by Carey Smith. Baird advised Parsons on this deal.
For more information, read the company fact sheets: Parsons Fact Sheet Polaris Alpha Fact Sheet