DAHLGREN, Va. –
Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division (NSWCDD) scientist and engineer Robert “Chris” Scranton’s career spans more than 38 years, all of which were spent dedicated to supporting Navy weapon systems programs. In recognition of his significant professional achievements supporting the Fleet Ballistic Missile (FBM) Program, exemplary leadership and immense technical expertise, Scranton was named this year’s recipient of the Navy’s Strategic Systems Program (SSP) Director’s Award.
The SSP Director’s Award annually selects two awardees who serve in a military or civilian capacity and whose contributions and efforts demonstrate extraordinary value to the success of the FBM Program and Strategic Weapons Systems (SWS).
In addition, the awards criteria states that the nominees have not held or currently serve in high visibility positions, and that their achievements in the program are considered substantial and important.
Since its establishment, SSP leadership has bestowed the award to only 40 recipients, making the selection process highly competitive.
“I am deeply humbled and honored to receive this award,” said Scranton. “When I first started supporting SSP, I came across the award plaques on display at headquarters and thought how inspiring to be recognized and honored as an employee who dedicates themselves and contributes significantly to ensure the programs are successful. As I got further into my career and began recognizing those names on the plaques, it put into context just how impactful those contributions were to the program, and it was humbling when I received the call that I was to be among those awardees.”
Scranton served in numerous leadership and technical roles throughout his career, bringing forth a multitude of significant system developments to the SWS community, the FBM and Submarine Launched Ballistic Missile (SLBM) programs and Fire Control Systems (FCS) capabilities and products.
He supports the Strategic Systems Design and Implementation Division within the Strategic and Computing Systems Department at Dahlgren, lending his innovative technical skills and guidance to the various teams he collaborates with.
In his previous position, Scranton served as the senior SSP representative and relocated to the United Kingdom (U.K.) on two occasions, operating as the primary interface to the U.K. Ministry of Defence to ensure effective U.S. operations overseas. During this period in his career, Scranton “consistently took on assignments of increasing complexity and responsibility, and made significant, positive impacts to the SLBM products and program,” as described by the Strategic and Computing Systems Department leadership.
According to his nomination, Scranton is essential in “providing systems engineering for efforts from concept development to production software development.” As NSWCDD’s Principal SWS Engineer and Principal Scientist for Fire Control for the SLBM Program, Scranton’s role is pivotal in designing, developing and testing SWS software components for missile launch.
Vice Adm. Johnny Wolfe presented the SSP Director’s Award to Scranton during an awards ceremony May 12 at SSP Headquarters at the Washington Navy Yard. During the event, Wolfe commended Scranton’s ability to lead teams to success, resulting in extraordinary contributions to the SLBM program.
The SSP Director’s Awards citation stated, “NSWCDD, industry partners and SSP alike seek out Scranton’s expertise, advice and vision in system engineering, program planning activities and operational safety, making him instrumental to the FBM and SLBM programs success for FCS and the next generation of SWS.”