ASN RDA 2009 Top Science and Engineering Awards

1. Mr. Robert Huggins, MARCORSYSCOM, Program Manager, Marine Corps CREW Systems, Communications, Intelligence, and Networking Systems Product Group

For transitioning and fielding a new system to counter emerging radio controlled improvised explosive device threats. The rapid transition of the CREW-Vehicle Receiver Jammer 2.1 system to deployed Marine Corps forces saved lives by providing a much more capable system for countering the RCIED threat.

2. Dr. Russell Shannon, NAVAIR, Lead Systems Engineer for Integrated Diagnostics and Automated Test Systems

For development of integrated diagnostics and automated test systems for advanced avionics systems. The Naval Aviation Enterprise stands to realize significant savings in maintenance of F/A-18 EO/IR systems.

3. Dr. Christine M. Michienzi and Ms. Christine D. Knott, NAVSEA, Indian Head, Navy Gun Propellant Team

For development of the Navy Insensitive Low Erosion (NILE) gun propellant, which improves safety, increases the shelf life, and reduces the total ownership costs of the Navy’s 5-inch gun, as well as the Special Operations Command’s (SOCOM) 105mm and 40mm gun systems. NILE is more stable and safer to handle. Additionally, NILE is less damaging to gun barrels, allowing barrels to remain in service longer, significantly reducing cost of operation.

4. David J. Moretti, NAVSEA, NUWC Newport, Marine Mammal R&D Lead

For development and application of passive acoustic methods and technologies for the study of behavior of marine mammals exposed to anthropogenic sound. This provides the Navy with a cost-effective method for monitoring the behavior of beaked whales in Navy test ranges. The information updates national knowledge of how these mammals react to acoustic stresses.

5. Karen Swider-Lyons, NRL, Materials Research Engineer

For development of a fuel-cell powered UAV which demonstrated more than 24 hours of continuous flight. The fuel cell has about four times the efficiency of a comparable internal combustion engine and the system provides seven times the energy in the equivalent weight of batteries. It provides our deployed forces with a longer lasting, extremely stealthy, low-level flight UAV capability to conduct intelligence gathering, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions.

6. Andrew C. Nicholas, NRL, Research Physicist

For investigation of the Special Sensor Ultraviolet Limb Imager (SSULI) which provided the first global operational measurements of the day and night-side ionosphere and the Atmosphere Neutral Density Experiment to retrieve validated neutral densities using complimentary remote sensing and in-situ techniques. They provide operational forces with knowledge of upper atmospheric conditions that can result in more effective mission planning and mission success for the warfighter.

7. William C. Nickerson, NAVAIR, Chemist, Materials Division

For development and implementation of an environmentally friendly metal surface treatment process. This development allowed the Navy to stop using a more hazardous chromate-based priming compound, which was applied by hand, was dangerous to the workers, and produced a hazardous waste product. The Trivalent Chromium Process is non-hazardous and can be applied by spraying to reduce time and cost for recoating aircraft and their components as they progress through maintenance cycles.

8. Dr. Thomas Staley, SPAWAR, Chief Engineer, Mobile Modular Command and Control System

For design, development and prototyping of the mobile modular command and control wireless system which was deployed to Afghanistan in support of a Marine Division. Implementation of this technology provides Marines the ability to communicate real time information improving the ability to respond quickly to changing situations, meet mission objectives and save lives.

9. Dexter T. Kan, NAVAIR, F/A-18 ABCD Lead Electrical Engineer

For designing, building and fielding a silicon controlled rectifier (SCR) module tester that quickly isolates hard and intermittent faults in testing F/A-18C/D and F/A-18E/F aircraft. It provides F/A-18 operational and intermediate level maintainers a more efficient way to troubleshoot generator problems.

10. Dr. Brian J. Hankla, NAVSEA, Technical Area Director, High Energy Laser Programs

For evaluating threats to Navy ships that could be addressed by a high energy laser capability, and then designed, built and demonstrated a prototype based on solid-state fiber laser technologies. It demonstrated the capability to shoot down a threat representative UAV at a tactically significant range for the first time.

11. Dr. Thomas McKenna, ONR, Program Officer

For conceiving and demonstrating a panoramic, 360-degree periscope that provides full situation awareness in high contact density environments. This periscope technology allows submarines to acquire operational image data quickly, allowing them to maintain stealth while addressing and analyzing dynamic threat data quickly and efficiently.

12. James Waterman, NRL, Head Research Physicist, Maritime Sensing Section

For design, development, integration and testing of a prototype for day/night situational awareness for submarine periscopes. It provides submarines with a periscope-based infrared detection system with operationally sufficient range, resolution and sensitivity characteristics, reducing the time needed to perform a periscope-based safety scan prior to surfacing.

13. Mario G. Ancona, NRL, Brian R. Bennett and John Bradley Boos, Research Physicists, Nanotechnology Section

For development of ultra-low power electronics using a strain-induced five-fold enhancement in the hole mobility of GaSb. This finding may result in reduced power consumption by electronic devices, allowing longer battery lives for deployed systems and achieving higher performance in avionic systems in smaller packages.

14. Joseph P. Macker, NRL, Section Head, Protocol Engineering and Advanced Networking Research Group

For his technical vision and leadership in mobile wireless and disadvantaged network technology. This work provides the foundation for communication protocols between mobile wireless devices and systems, allowing for interoperability among DOD systems.

15. Dr. El Sayed Arafat, NAVAIR, Chemist, Materials Division

For development and qualification of products to military specification MIL-PRF-32295 which classifies low-volatile organic compound or exempt solvent cleaners for aircraft cleaning applications. It allows the Navy to continue to meet mission requirements with greener and less hazardous solvent cleaners.