CRANE, Ind. –
Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division (NSWC Crane) leadership, industry, and state government stakeholders broke ground on a new Radiation Modernization facility on the installation on Monday, Oct. 4.
Dr. Angela Lewis, the Technical Director at NSWC Crane, says this event is exciting.
“The groundbreaking of this new facility is a great day for NSWC Crane,” says Dr. Lewis. “NSWC Crane is a recognized leader and center of excellence for providing strategic Research, Development, Testing, and Evaluation (RDT&E) capabilities to meet the long-term strategic radiation-hardened microelectronics strategy for all domains and systems that are critical to ensuring mission reliability, safety, and accuracy. It has been some time since we have last hosted a ground breaking event, and I am thrilled to be here today and look forward to celebrating more in the future.”
Dr. Lewis says NSWC Crane is a national leader in radiation sciences.
“NSWC Crane has the largest collection of resources dedicated to Radiation Sciences and Radiation Test capability across the Department of Defense (DOD),” says Dr. Lewis. “This investment was essential to maintain and enhance the necessary infrastructure required to qualify radiation hardened electronic components for nuclear deterrence, missile defense and space systems, and represents the first of several planned capabilities to be housed at NSWC Crane.”
NSWC Crane provides radiation testing capability for many prominent domains across the DOD, including the Nuclear Deterrence, Missile Defense, and Space Systems. Shana Goodman, the Division Manager for Strategic Microelectronics Division at NSWC Crane, says this is an added radiation test capability to offer the customer set.
“NSWC Crane has supported testing of radiation hardened microelectronics for decades to customers,” says Goodman. “This new radiation testing capability was funded by the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (USD R&E) and has been planned since 2019. This capability to test radiation prompt dose experienced in the strategic nuclear environment will give the increased capacity required in order to support the current strategic mission, as well as the planned next-generation modernization programs.”
Matthew Bedel, a Principal Engineer for Radiation Test Modernization at NSWC Crane, says this is an important effort.
“This is a really significant capability to bring to Crane,” says Bedel. “This is the first radiation-producing equipment investment in thirty years and is a unique capability. It’s one-of-a-kind for survivability testing designed to be used for years to come. It’s also significant to note this is a first of a multi-year phase approach. It is key to have these in-house capabilities to ensure we remain a premier lab space in the DoD.”
Goodman says it is critical to focus on enhancing the radiation test capability to support NSWC Crane’s mission.
“This new facility will house a new Short Pulse Gamma (SPG) system, required shielding, and space for a required maintenance.” says Goodman. “It will be online and ready for customers to use by the end of Fiscal Year 2023. It is imperative that we continue to focus on increasing our knowledge in radiation sciences. Radiation sciences is a very niche area with a very small community. It is critical that we not only continue to maintain, but also grow our knowledge in the area of radiation sciences in order to continue to support our strategic customers.”
Collaborators
Prime Contractor (Design Builder):
Krempp Construction; Jasper, IN
Designer (for Prime Contractor):
Barge/Emersion Joint Venture; Nashville, TN
Subcontractors:
B&D Electric; Washington, IN – Electrical
Mastercraft Mechanical, Inc.; Odon, IN – Mechanical
Geyer Fire Protection; Indianapolis, IN – Sprinkler
About NSWC Crane
NSWC Crane is a naval laboratory and a field activity of Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) with mission areas in Expeditionary Warfare, Strategic Missions and Electronic Warfare. The warfare center is responsible for multi-domain, multi- spectral, full life cycle support of technologies and systems enhancing capability to today's Warfighter.
Join Our Team! NAVSEA employs a diverse, highly trained, educated, and skilled workforce - from students and entry level employees to experienced professionals and individuals with disabilities. We support today's sophisticated Navy and Marine Corps ships, aircraft, weapon systems and computer systems. We are continuously looking for engineers, scientists, and other STEM professionals, as well as talented business, finance, logistics and other support experts to ensure the U.S. Navy can protect and defend America. Please connect with NSWC Crane Recruiting at this site - https://navsea.recsolu.com/external/form/jmR6cUhZKZ_qD5QUqyMk8w or email us at crane_recruiting@navy.mil