DAHLGREN, Va. –
On Sept. 30, Frank Dixon, Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division (NSWCDD) Strategic and Computing Systems Department head, hosted a visit from a distinguished group of faculty members from George Mason University (GMU). Dr. Andre Marshall, GMU’s Vice President for Research, Innovation and Economic Development, led the GMU team.
Dixon, as the NSWCDD champion for GMU, led a series of discussions centered around topics of interest where the expertise of GMU and NSWCDD can be leveraged to generate mutually beneficial technical collaborations.
Dixon initiated the event by presenting an overview of the NSWCDD mission, vision and organization structure, and highlighted the national security relevance of many important programs currently executed at NSWCDD. Chief Technology Officer Jennifer Clift, provided an overview of the many science and technology programs as well as business opportunities at NSWCDD. Melissa Smith, Warfare Analysis and Digital Modeling Department deputy department head spoke about NSWCDD’s “Dahlgren Proving Ground” initiative.
Steven Canup, distinguished scientist for combat systems cybersecurity, Ann Ruchty, Cyber Technologies and Software Systems Division head and Dr. Jeffrey Solka, distinguished scientist for naval data sciences highlighted past, present and future NSWCDD initiatives in the areas of cyber warfare engineering, software engineering and intelligent automation
The event also included a visit to the Integrated Engagement Systems Department Hypersonic Research and Testing and Ultra-Fast Pulse Laser Laboratories. NSWCDD personnel Shaun Alberts, Andre Foster, Michael Libeau and Daniel Wise conducted demonstrations and tours of the labs.
The event concluded with a wrap-up session led by Dixon to delineate areas of interest and delineate future actions. Dr. Pearl Rayms-Keller, event organizer and chief scientist in the Strategic and Computing Systems Department is currently leading future actions.