Recent News and Highlights

Naval Surface Warfare Center, Indian Head Division Employees Support 2012 Team America Rocketry Challenge

Naval Surface Warfare Center, Indian Head Division (NSWC IHD) Professional Development Council (PDC) members left to right; Kyle Foley, Andrew Jaffke, and Travis Thom gather around fellow NSWC IHD employee Frank Tse (seated), at the command's booth during the 2012 national finals for the Team America Rocket Challenge (TARC) on May 12. Tse, one of NSWC IHD's originators for the command's participation at TARC, said the PDC has organized the command's exhibit for seven straight years. He also noted that the PDC presents a dynamic exhibit that students are drawn to, but that is only part of the story.  "It is not just the display items by themselves," Tse said. "It is the PDC members' interaction with the students that makes our exhibit worthwhile." Official U.S. Navy photo

Several Naval Surface Warfare Center, Indian Head Division (NSWC IHD) Professional Development Council (PDC) members and one senior engineer, joined representatives from several other Department of Defense organizations to support the 2012 Team America Rocketry Challenge (TARC) held at Great Meadow, Va., on May 12.

Sponsored by the Aerospace Industries Association (AIA) and the National Association of Rocketry (NAR), TARC is the world’s largest rocket contest. TARC was initially meant to be a one-time celebration of the Centennial of Flight. Due to its popularity, TARC has become an annual event intended to foster enthusiasm and encouragement among students to study math and science as well as pursue careers in aerospace.

Several thousand students from across the U.S. participate in TARC every year. Teams of junior high and high school students design, build and fly model rockets that must reach a specific altitude and fly for a set duration. The rockets must carry an egg as a payload.  The teams must follow a set of rules that change each year when they develop their models.  These contests are designed to encourage students to study math and science and pursue careers in aerospace.  (See Full Story)

Small Business Executives Learn to Align Capabilities with Navy Missions through Upcoming Contracting Opportunities

Naval Surface Warfare Center, Indian Head Division’s PHS&T Center Receives Safety Award

For the third consecutive year, New Jersey’s State Industrial Safety Committee recognized Naval Surface Warfare Center, Indian Head Division’s (NSWC IHD) Packaging, Handling, Shipping and Transportation (PHS&T) Division for maintaining an injury free workplace during 2011 at the annual Governor’s Occupational Safety and Health Awards dinner on May 2, 2012.

This year the PHS&T Division earned the State of New Jersey’s Department of Labor and Workforce Development Safety Achievement Award by maintaining a workplace free from lost time for work related injuries or illnesses for three straight years.  PHS&T earned the Division of Public Safety & Occupational Safety & Health Award for 2010 following its Citation of Merit Award for 2009.

Located at NSWC IHD’s Picatinny, N.J., Detachment, the PHS&T Division relocated to Picatinny Arsenal from the Naval Weapons Station in Earle, N.J., during the Department of Defense’s 2005 Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) process last year.

According to Ken Zimms, the PHS&T Division Director, moving from Earle to Picatinny involved new safety risks that supervisors needed to monitor.  (See Full Story)

Naval Surface Warfare Center, Indian Head Division Employees Receive Top Awards

NSWC IHD recognized more than 55 of its employees on April 10, 2012, at its annual Honorary Awards ceremony held at the Indian Head Pavilion.  NSWC IHD employees received individual and team awards for their contributions in 2011, covering areas such as energetics research and development, managerial excellence, safety, community service and exceptional personal performance.

Four of those awards were NSWC IHD’s highest command-level honors. Other employees received individual and team awards from the Naval Surface Warfare Center Headquarters in Washington, DC. Two employees also received Meritorious Civilian Service Awards, John Hungerford for management of the Base Realignment and Closure process started in 2005, and Marci Mouer for successful implementation of the Navy’s Enterprise Resource Planning system.

NSWC IHD’s Commanding Officer, Captain Andy Buduo, said that all the award winners’ significant work represents the high work standards throughout the command.  “Day in and day out, Indian Head Division employees exhibit exceptional dedication and commitment, whether conducting advanced research, manufacturing rocket motors or warheads, managing programs, reviewing contracts or keeping the books,” said Buduo. “This doesn’t happen by accident. It comes from adherence to high standards and an attitude of paying attention to what’s important.”

Dennis McLaughlin, NSWC IHD’s Technical Director, said the command’s adherence to quality and customer service has paid dividends in an austere fiscal environment.  “Financially, our outlook is very good, as rosy as it’s been in several years,” McLaughlin said. “We have had some real growth this past year, and the plant is almost operating at full capacity. That is remarkable considering the downturn in defense spending, yet really reinforces our value to the Navy and DoD.”  (See Full Story)

 
NSWC IHD award winners at the 2011 Honorary Awards ceremony.  Photo by Matt Poynor

NSWC IHD engineer, Mike Bonnano, describes how an experimental prototype primer could replace the standard inservice primer for the MK 67 Mod 3. Bonnano was recognized as the team lead for the 2011 Joint Insensitive Munitions Technology Program Team (JIMTP) of the Year award for work on Primer Technologies for Large Caliber Gun Propulsion.

Naval Surface Warfare Center, Indian Head Division Employees Receive Award for Joint Service Effort

The Department of Defense’s (DOD) Joint Insensitive Munitions Technology Program (JIMTP) named two Naval Surface Warfare Center, Indian Head Division (NSWC IHD) employees as recipients of its 2011 JIMTP Team of the Year award at a conference held at the College of Southern Maryland in La Plata on March 27-29, 2012.

The two NSWC IHD scientists, Mike Bonnano and Christine Knott, are part of joint Army/Navy team developing primer technologies for large caliber gun propulsion systems. The other team members are from the Army Research Laboratory (ARL) and Armament Research, Development and Engineering Center (ARDEC).

Primers are energetic materials in gun propulsion systems that ignite propellants, which, in turn, propel gun system projectiles. Historically, primers, other propelling charges and ammunition are vulnerable to unintended detonation from kinetic energy impacts or cook-off from heat.

DOD has funded efforts to develop energetic materials that are less sensitive to these threats, thereby making them safer to store and handle.  Additionally, the materials must also maintain existing gun system performance capabilities.  (See Full Story)

Secretary of the Navy Visits Naval Surface Warfare Center, Indian Head Division

Dr. Joel Carney gives Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus and Democratic Minority Whip in the House of Representatives, Congressman Steny Hoyer, an overview of NSWC IHD’s new Advanced Energetics Research Laboratory. U.S. Navy Photo by Matt Poynor

Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus made his first visit to Naval Surface Warfare Center, Indian Head Division (NSWC IHD) on March 12 to learn more about the division’s capabilities.

Accompanied by Maryland Congressman Steny Hoyer, Democratic Whip in the House of Representatives, Mabus met with NSWC IHD Commanding Officer Capt. Andy Buduo and Technical Director Dennis McLaughlin as well as other civilian personnel to learn how Indian Head Division supports the Navy.

"It’s truly and honor to show Secretary Mabus the scope of our work at Indian Head Division," said Buduo. "He is a forward looking leader with a deep understanding of current and future Navy needs. We appreciate the fact he took time out of his busy schedule to gain an understanding of Indian Head Division’s role in our nation’s defense." 

During his visit, Secretary Mabus toured NSWC IHD’s new Advanced Energetics Research Laboratory and met with several scientists. The new laboratory consolidates many Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation Department’s (RDT&E) functions and provides a more efficient operating environment for staff members who develop and test energetic materials.  The new building also allows research scientists the ability to more safely handle explosive material, conduct analytical research and pursue development activities. 

 Mabus said his visit to NSWC IHD was eye opening and reaffirming. “There are just incredible capabilities at this facility,” he said. “This is what gives and helps our military keep its technical edge, which is very important.”  (See Full Story)

Naval Academy Students Visit NSWC IHD

Naval Surface Warfare Center, Indian Head Division (NSWC IHD) hosted 21 U.S. Naval Academy (USNA) midshipmen on Wednesday, February 29, for a command brief and tour of several NSWC IHD facilities.

NSWC IHD hosts USNA students twice a year for visits to give them a more thorough understanding of the work done at the division, and the command’s overall impact on Navy capabilities.

Dr. Joel Carney, NSWC IHD’s Dynamics and Diagnostics Branch manager, briefs USNA midshipmen about NSWC IHD’s new Advanced Energetics Research Laboratory during a tour of the facility. The new laboratory, which officially opened on February 21, consolidates many of NSWC IHD’s Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation Department’s (RDT&E) functions and provides a more efficient operating environment for staff members who develop and test energetic materials.  The new building also allows research scientists the ability to more safely handle explosive material, conduct analytical research and pursue development activities.  U.S. Navy Photo by Matt Poynor		Nick Scalfaro, manager of NSWC IHD’s Cartridge Actuated and Propellant Actuated Devices (CAD/PAD) Manufacturing Branch, gives USNA midshipmen an overview of the command’s CAD/PAD capabilities prior to touring one of its manufacturing facilities. U.S. Navy Photo by Mark Viniard

Commit to the Journey

Rear Adm. Michelle Howard addresses employees from NSWC IHD and NAVEODTECHDIV at the joint African-American and Women’s History Month Program. U.S. Navy photos by Matt Poynor

Rear Adm. Michelle Howard, Chief of Staff to the Director for Strategic Plans and Policy, J-5, Joint Staff, was the guest speaker at the joint African-American and Women’s History Month Program held by Naval Surface Warfare Center, Indian Head Division (NSWC IHD) and Naval Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technology Division (NAVEODTECHDIV) on Feb. 29, 2012.

Considered a pioneer within the Navy, Howard was the first African-American woman to take command of a Navy ship, the USS Rushmore (LSD 47) on March 12, 1999.  She was also the first woman graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy selected for admiral in the Navy in 2006.

During her presentation comments, Howard said she has reflected on what it means to be considered a trail blazer, and believes there are several commonalities women have demonstrated that underline pioneering success.

 One of those principles is commitment. Howard said a pioneering person in a non-traditional field needs commitment with passion. “A lot of burdens come with the journey,” she said. “You need to be passionate about what you do.”

Howard also said it’s important for people breaking new ground in a non-traditional field to do a self assessment and understand how and what a person is committing to. Additionally, Howard mentioned that keeping a sense of humor and sense of self are important, as is staying connected to others who are similar.

“The tyranny of isolation can be overwhelming,” Howard said. “Don’t let isolation inhibit your success.”

Howard’s principles for pioneering success resonated with NSWC IHD’s Deputy Director for the CAD/PAD Joint Program Office, Major Artemis Thomas.

“Admiral Howard’s principles for pioneering success were tremendously inspiring and motivating to me,” Thomas said.  (See Full Story)

Engineers and Scientists Launch a New Education Endeavor

Chemistry professor Dr. Samuel Hernandez briefs Naval Surface Warfare Center, Indian Head Division (NSWC IHD) officials, Systems Engineering Department Head Mike Adams, Senior Scientist Dr. Al Stern, and Technical Director Dennis McLaughlin on the capabilities of Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico’s chemistry laboratory during an official visit the week of Feb. 6-10, 2012. U.S. Navy photo by Jason Shaffer

A team of representatives from Naval Surface Warfare Center, Indian Head Division (NSWC IHD) and Naval Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technology Division (NAVEODTECHDIV) visited the University of Puerto Rico (UPR) Mayaguez, University of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras and Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico (PUPR) campuses the week of Feb. 6-10, 2012, as part of the educational partnership between the two warfare centers and island universities.

The warfare representatives visited the campuses to discuss the current state of the educational partnership between the organizations, opportunities with other DoD and Navy educational programs, and the partnership’s path ahead.

The other DoD and Navy educational programs included, the Office of Secretary of Defense American Society of Engineering Education (ASEE) Science and Mathematics and Research and Transformation, Office of Naval Research (ONR) ASEE Summer Faculty Historically Black Colleges and Universities/Minority Institution, the ONR Naval Research Enterprise Intern Program, the Naval Research Enterprise ASEE Postdoctoral, Student Career Experience, and Student Temporary Employment Program Programs.

Engineers and Scientists from NSWC IHD and NAVEODTECHDIV also used the visit as an opportunity to establish a technical lecture series where energetics experts present topics on their areas of expertise and discuss ideas for student Capstone Projects. (See Full Story)

The Professional Development Council Attends Southern Maryland Legislative Reception

Members from the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Indian Head Division Professional Development Council take a break from promoting NSWC IHD at the Southern Maryland Legislative Reception on Feb. 23, 2012. Pictured from left to right are: Andrea Bloomer, Andrew Jaffke, Elizabeth Lechner, Technical Director Dennis McLaughlin , Rob Zilnicki, and senior scientist Al Stern. U.S. Navy photo by Paul McCafferty.

The 39^th Term of the Professional Development Council (PDC) continued its commitment to support Naval Surface Warfare Center, Indian Head Division (NSWC IHD) by attending the Southern Maryland Legislative Reception on February 23, 2012, at the Loews Annapolis Hotel in Annapolis, Md.

The purpose of the Southern Maryland Legislative Reception is for business owners and government officials from Southern Maryland to meet face to face and to develop business relationships.  Attending the reception also offers the opportunity to highlight the capabilities of  participating organizations, and gives senators and delegates the opportunity to network with other lawmakers and constituents from the state’s southern counties.

NSWC IHD showcased its energetics capabilities while attending this event.  The PDC had the privilege of being invited to the reception for the fourth year in a row; four members of the council attended the reception: Andrew Jaffke, 39^th term Chair, Andrea Bloomer, Elizabeth Lechner, and Rob Zilnicki.  While there, the PDC members helped promote Indian Head’s capabilities to attending companies, elected officials, cabinet secretaries and agency heads from Maryland. (See Full Story)  

NSWC IHD Scientists and Engineers Judge Charles County Science Fair

Six Scientists and Engineers from Naval Surface Warfare Center, Indian Head Division (NSWC IHD) judged the 2012 Charles County Science Fair on March 3 at Theodore Davis Middle School in Waldorf, Md. This was Charles County public school’s 53^rd science fair.  NSWC IHD volunteers regularly judge this event and participate in numerous educational outreach programs throughout Southern Maryland.

At this year’s science fair, NSWC IHD presented four awards to finalists in applied sciences for senior and junior divisions, one for research and technology and an environmental award.

Bruce Thomas, one of the judges from NSWC IHD believes the commands educational outreach programs are having a positive impact. “I saw some truly outstanding efforts by all the students,” he said. “Credit certainly goes out to county educators, but Indian Head Division’s volunteer efforts pay big dividends as well.”

Bruce Thomas and Steve Kim, two NSWC IHD engineers assigned to the command’s Systems Engineering Department, discuss a teenager’s project at the 2012 Charles County Science Fair.		NSWC IHD Systems Engineering Department’s Ariel Garcia intently evaluates a science project called Slower or Faster.
Vasant Joshi, a scientist assigned to NSWC IHD’s Research, Development, Test and Evaluation Department (R), confers with a student on her science project at the 2012 Charles Country Science Fair.