Dahlgren Division News

“If we desire to secure peace,” President George Washington once observed, “it must be known that we are at all times ready for war.” During the late 1790s, the U.S. government commissioned naval engineers and shipbuilders to design and build large warships capable of agile maneuvering and stowing an excess amount of weapons.With the passing of the Naval Act of 1794, Washington secured the authorization to procure the Navy’s first six frigates – a wooden-hulled, three-masted warship with either a 38 or 44-gun capability.

“We are trying to reduce not only our time to start a design, but we want to have a good design the first time. We want to eliminate any rework that would cost us time and money later in our program schedule,” said John Moser, Hardware and Metrology Engineer from Weapons Control and Integration, referring to the latest technological advance, using 3D scanning as a reverse engineering capability. Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division has begun to use this process to provide…

Leadership has added a new face in the contracting department at Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division (NSWCDD). Michael Brian Donaldson assumed the role of deputy chief of the contracting office (DCCO) in December, with management responsibility for a team of more than 110 contracting specialists, contracting officers, cost analysts, policy analysts and other contracting professionals.The contracting department at NSWCDD executes several thousand contract actions in a typical year, with a collective value of approximately $950 million.

Videos of U.S. military personnel stopping drug-smuggling boats are exhilarating and frightening. They are not Hollywood movies but real-life, dangerous encounters on the high seas. In each of those instances, the use of force applies. The High Power Microwave (HPM) Weapon Systems Division at Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division (NSWCDD) makes those encounters safer for everyone involved.“A significant portion of what we do focuses on vessel stopping,” said Kevin Cogley, HPM Weapon Systems Division head.

It takes determined leadership to bring a culture of innovation to large and historic institutions like the U.S. Navy. Regarded as a successful leader in electromagnetic systems certification at Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division (NSWCDD), Jillian Berry is passionate about her work, displaying a high level of expertise everyday on the job.The Department of Navy selected Berry as the 2022 recipient for the prestigious Civilian Service Commendation Medal (CSCM) in recognition of her exceptional work…

General Dynamics Mission Systems said it has secured a $40.3 million contract to support the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Dahlgren Division (NSWCDD) in its role as U.S. Navy Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) Independence-variant Software Support Agent (SSA), Combat Management System (CMS), and In-Service Engineering Agent (ISEA).The contract, awarded May 1, will provide support for LCS Independence-variant CMS efforts. As the prime contractor, General Dynamics’ responsibility will be…

U.S. Navy to update curriculum and training-related programs for surface force operations and combat systems globally. General Dynamics Information Technology, a business unit of General Dynamics, was awarded the Training Services for the Center for Surface Combat Systems (CSCS) contract by the Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division. The single-award contract has a potential value of approximately $244 million for a one-year base period with four option years. General Dynamics will provide training and training-related program support services, from curriculum development to advanced warfare training across the CSCS domain, which includes their 15 learning sites and detachments and International Programs.

Officials at the Office of Naval Research (ONR) announced the laser weapon system (LaWS) - a cutting-edge weapon that brings new capabilities to America's Sailors and Marines - was for the first time deployed and operated aboard a naval vessel in the Arabian Gulf. The operational demonstrations, which took place from September to November aboard USS Ponce (AFSB[I] 15), were historic not only because they showed a laser weapon working aboard a deployed U.S. Navy ship, but also because LaWS operated seamlessly with existing ship defense systems.

WR Systems, Ltd. of Norfolk, Va. has been awarded a delivery order on the SeaPort-e contract with NSWC, Dahlgren Division for support services to Combat Direction Systems Activity, Dam Neck (CDSADN) Rapid Response Engineering Capability in the areas of software, hardware, network engineering and technical services. WR will provide support services in the development and refinement of prototype and test articles and provide services required to document and support these products, related subsystems and components. This contract is the follow-on to WR’s Prime contract for Common Mobility Services (CMS) with CDSADN that was awarded in 2007.

The US Office of Naval Research's (ONR) Electromagnetic (EM) Railgun program is evaluating the second of two industry railgun prototype launchers. The EM Railgun launcher is a long-range naval weapon that fires projectiles using electricity instead of traditional gun propellants such as explosive chemicals. Magnetic fields created by high electrical currents accelerate a sliding metal conductor, or armature, between two rails to launch projectiles at 4,500-5,600 mph. The Navy…

Science Applications International Corp., San Diego, Calif., is being awarded a $9,068,457 modification to previously awarded contract (N00178-04-C-2004) to exercise an option for continuing engineering support for engineering expertise to support Research and Development (R&D), Total Ship System Engineering, and Combat System Engineering (CSE) initiatives for the introduction of advanced technology into advanced combat systems, and for the modernization of current combat systems for surface ship combatants.   Work will be performed in , (90 percent), and (10 percent) and is expected to be completed by August 2009. Contract funds in the amount of $542,553 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The , Dahlgren Division, Dahlgren, , is the contracting activity.

The Navy took another step to increase ships' capabilities against asymmetric surface threats, as the Shipboard Protection System (SPS) completed its first pierside and underway test events aboard the USS Benfold (DDG 65) on Feb. 26. The SPS provides a ship’s commander with organic tools to rapidly assess emerging surface threats and defend against terrorist attacks like the one that severely damaged the USS Cole in 2000. Ultimately, most U.S. naval surface vessels will have an SPS to provide integrated anti-terrorism/force protection capabilities while operating in littoral waters including foreign or domestic ports, restricted waterways and coastal areas, where terrorists can pose a significant threat to naval vessels.

cost-plus-fixed-fee, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for technical and engineering support to all programs under the cognizance of the Theater Warfare Systems Department, Naval Surface Warfare Center, Dahlgren Division. The contract provides support for missile defense/interoperability/fleet-level assessments/intelligence programs/systems in the following functional areas: engineering/systems engineering/planning support, warfare and systems analysis/assessment support, cost and affordability analysis support, modeling and simulation support, software engineering/computer program support, configuration management/quality assurance support, electronic documentation/data management/databases/Web site support and general support. Work will be performed in Dahlgren, Va.

VSE Corporation reported that its Fleet Maintenance Division was awarded a contract by the U.S. Naval Surface Warfare Center, Dahlgren Division. The contract, entitled SeaPort Enhanced ("SeaPort-e"), is a multiple award, indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contract, and accordingly, actual VSE revenue estimates for the contract cannot be predicted. VSE understands that the Navy awarded SeaPort-e contracts to VSE and about 150 other contractors. By receiving this award, VSE and its subcontractors are prequalified to bid on up to $1.3 billion annually of work which is expected to become available to support the requirements of the Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA), the Naval Surface Warfare Centers (NSWCs), and the Naval Undersea Warfare Centers (NUWCs).

Lockheed Martin Services Inc. (LMSI), West Cherry Hill, N.J., is being awarded a $5,625,983 cost-plus-award-fee contract to provide warfare system integration engineering services for new construction and in-service Nimitz class aircraft carriers during Refueling and Complex Overhauls (RCOH). Work will be performed in Dahlgren, Va., and is expected to be completed by May 2005. Contract funds in the amount of $600,000 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured and advertised via the Internet, with two offers received. The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Dahlgren Division, Dahlgren, Va., is the contracting activity. (N00178-04-C-2010)

By John J. After a wide-ranging tour of Naval District Washington (NDW) West in Dahlgren, Va., Senator John W. Warner, R-Va., told reporters at a news conference last week that the Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division (NSWCDD) is transforming itself to face the present and future on many fronts by producing advanced technological products that have a crucial impact in the support and protection of deployed warfighters fighting the Global War on Terrorism. “I have seen some absolutely fascinating technology in the minds of the core of civilians and military that operate here…

Anteon Corporation, a leading information technology and engineering solutions company, announced today that it has been awarded a 4.75-year (six-month base, four option years and one three-month option) contract by the Naval Surface Warfare Center-Dahlgren Division (NSWCDD). The contract, valued at approximately $27.3 million if all options are exercised, provides support for the U.S. Navy's Aegis Shipbuilding Program. This contract is a follow-on contract for support that Anteon has been providing NSWCDD since 1996. Under this new contract, Anteon's team that includes Southeastern Computer Consultants Inc. and Engineering Services Network Inc.

Planning Consultants, Inc., Virginia Beach, Va. is being awarded a $10,994,087 modification under previously awarded contract (N00178-04-C-2004) to exercise an option for engineering expertise in support of Research and Development, Total Ship System Engineering and Combat System Engineering advanced technology initiatives for modernization of current systems on surface ship combatants. This contract combines purchases for the U.S. Navy (97 percent) and the Governments of Japan (1 percent); South Korea (1 percent); and Spain (1 percent) for the Foreign Military Sales Program. Work will be performed in Dahlgren, Va. (90 percent) and Virginia Beach, Va. (10 percent), and is expected to be completed by September 2008. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year.

The Navy will field the first Shipboard Protection System (SPS) aboard a naval surface combatant this month. The SPS equips the ship’s commander with organic tools to rapidly assess asymmetric threats and defend against terrorist attacks like the one that severely damaged the USS Cole in 2000. Ultimately, most U.S. naval surface vessels will have an SPS onboard to provide integrated anti-terrorism/force protection capabilities while operating in littoral waters, such as foreign or domestic ports, restricted waterways, and coastal areas, where naval ships might be attacked by terrorist. To transition the technology as rapidly as possible to the fleet…

The U.S. Navy is awarding indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity multiple award contracts to 391 contractors that will provide for their competition for service requirements solicited by Naval Sea Systems Command, Naval Air Systems Command, Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command, Naval Supply Systems Command, Military Sealift Command, Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Strategic Systems Programs, and the United States Marine Corps. The 22 functional service areas within the scope of the contracts include 1. Research and Development Support. 2. Engineering System Engineering and Process Engineering Support. 3. Modeling, Simulation, Stimulation, and Analysis Support. 4. Prototyping, Pre-Production, Model-Making, and Fabrication Support.

Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) Dahlgren Division engineers, working with their counterparts from other Navy commands and industry, recently completed work to make aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) ready for the ship’s first deployment. Dahlgren engineers are also providing combat systems distance support while the carrier is deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. “This is far-reaching collaboration that makes a difference in our military’s ability to fight, win and come home safely,” said NSWC Dahlgren Commander Capt. Joseph McGettigan. The Reagan Combat Direction Center (CDC) team operates an Ships Self Defense System (SSDS) MK 2-based combat system designed to respond with a rapid reaction…

The U.S. Navy is awarding indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity multiple award contracts to 251 contractors that will provide for their competition for service requirements solicited by Naval Sea Systems Command, Naval Air Systems Command, Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command, Naval Supply Systems Command, Military Sealift Command, Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Strategic Systems Programs, and the Marine Corps. The 22 functional service areas within the scope of the contracts include 1. Research and development support. 2. Engineering system engineering and process engineering support. 3. Modeling, Simulation, Stimulation, and Analysis Support. 4. Prototyping, pre-production, model-making, and fabric support. 5. System design documentation and technical data support.

Science Applications International Corp., Technology Services Co. (SAIC/TSC), San Diego is being awarded a $40,102,809 indefinite-delivery and indefinite-quantity contract with a cost-plus-fixed-fee ceiling for software development and systems engineering support to the Anti-Submarine Warfare Control System Mk 116 program, Computer-Aided Dead Reckoning Tracer project, and other related programs and projects at the Surface Ship Undersea Warfare (USW) program office, Naval Surface Warfare Center, Dahlgren Division. Work will be performed in Dahlgren, Va. (95 percent) and San Diego (5 percent), and is to be completed by December 2007. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This effort combines support of the U.S.