Air Force — Project YETI

The OPIR (Overhead Persistent Infrared) satellite program struggled as a warning system despite its intelligence value. Threat identification and field notification required 5–20 minutes — critically too slow for protective action.

Due to the sensitive nature of this project, I can only speak to it online in fairly high-level terms and with limited visuals.

Pivotal Labs assisted the Air Force in developing internal training initiatives to transition toward complete soldier-led development & design to reduce contractor dependency. The Air Force was concerned about discovery taking 4 months - My team got user research, concept design, validation testing, AND the MVP deployed to production within 4 weeks.

The team prioritized an event logging system generating formatted, copy-paste-ready alert text for chat platforms on secure military networks.

This approach:

• Maintained mandatory intelligence logging - Ensured consistent messaging - Eliminated user burden - Reduced alert time from 20 minutes to under 60 seconds

• Complete keyboard navigation - Field ordering matching the sequence information is received - Keyboard shortcuts for rapid modal access - Highlighted dynamic text for quick verification before transmission

Advanced features encompassed:

• Intelligence product development - Event management and cross-referencing - Unique event identifiers enabling instant threat classification and timing recognition

The system achieved significant adoption, spurring multi-year Air Force investment in Kessel Run training programs. Next-generation OPIR satellites reflect validated concept success.

Notably, a logistics service member trained as a designer during this project became Space Force product leadership.