PANAMA CITY, Fla. –
The McNaron family arrived in Bay County (then called Washington County) in 1882 and have lived in the area ever since. Today, one member of that family is working to modernize mine countermeasures (MCM) and unmanned fleet capabilities at Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City Division (NSWC PCD) that will leave just as long of a lasting impact for the Navy today, tomorrow and the Navy after next.
Ricky McNaron, NSWC PCD MCM Unmanned Surface Vehicle (USV) and Payload Delivery System (PDS) program manager, drives that expertise. His team of government and contractor personnel are responsible for developing, delivering, and sustaining these critical systems, enabling the Navy to safely and effectively detect, identify, and neutralize naval mines. The PDS is crucial for the USV to effectively deploy the necessary equipment during MCM missions. This capability advances the U.S. Navy’s commitment to modernization while bolstering lethality to its conventionally manned fleet when maintaining open sea-lanes and freedom of navigation.
"What we provide allows the fleet to execute MCM missions at a safe, standoff distance. Ships and sailors are no longer required to enter the threat area to accomplish their mission," he explained. "Understanding that the capability will protect someone’s son or daughter who has volunteered to serve is really the motivation behind our team’s dedication and focus. [We are] committed to developing fully operational systems and to delivering those systems on time in order to meet the fleet’s operational needs.”
This dedication has led to significant milestones. In FY23, the MCM USV program achieved initial operational capability [or readiness for initial use in real-world operations], and in FY24, the first four MCM USVs were officially delivered to the fleet.
"These systems were instrumental in paving the way for the MCM USV program and its successes," he said. "These accomplishments provide the warfighter with a capability that allows them to execute their mission more safely and effectively. I am extremely proud to be able to play a small role in those achievements."
McNaron credits his team’s passion and pride for their success in accelerating force generation.
“Our team works tirelessly to enhance our system’s capabilities through design improvements and rigorous engineering processes. We maintain current capabilities through reach back support and corrective action repair and evaluation visits,” said McNaron. “We [also] ensure quality products are delivered through production oversight, tedious inspections, and full system end-to-end checkouts prior to delivery. Our team is truly at the tip of the spear when it comes to ensuring the MCM USVs and PDSs are fully operational and ready to support the fleet.”
His expertise is built on over 20 years of experience at NSWC PCD, where his career has been centered around the MCM Mission Package and unmanned systems. Prior to his current role, he led the Remote Minehunting System In-Service Engineering Agent and Minehunting Unmanned Surface Vehicle projects. He was also a former co-op student at the Navy lab before being hired after graduating from Florida State University in 2005. McNaron shares some keys to success for the upcoming 21st century scientists, engineers and professionals to empower PCD’s future.
“I am very thankful for the group of individuals I get to work with on a daily basis. I truly believe NSWC PCD is a warfare center of excellence that provides essential capabilities to our Navy’s warfighters, and I am proud to be a part of it,” said McNaron. “I would encourage new hires and young professionals to get out and meet the talented groups of people that work in the various departments and divisions throughout this organization. Learning from those individuals…will broaden your knowledge area and will equip you to make a lasting impact for our future warfighters.”