Photo By Peter Fitzpatrick | The Distributed Open Ocean Mission Rehearsal Team was recognized in the Team...... read more read more
By NAVSEA Warfare Centers Headquarters Corporate Communications
Seven individuals and four teams with members from the Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) Warfare Centers were among the recipients of the 2026 Assistant Secretary of the Navy (ASN) for Research, Development and Acquisition (RDA) Dr. Delores M. Etter Top Scientists and Engineers of the Year Awards.
Being selected for this highly competitive and prestigious award – named for a former ASN RDA – reflects outstanding professionalism, as well as significant scientific and engineering achievements that directly support the Navy and the nation.
“I could not be more proud of our winners,” said Warfare Centers Executive Director Peter C. Reddy, SES. “As their work exemplifies, from leading advancements in directed energy and additive manufacturing to delivering previously non-existent operations rehearsal capability for the deployed fleet, the critical technical expertise the Warfare Centers provide is instrumental to mission success and fleet readiness.”
The awardees were recognized during an award ceremony on July 29 at the Pentagon. A recording of the event is available at https://www.dvidshub.net/webcast/37882.
Warfare Centers winners and their accomplishments are highlighted below:
Emergent Engineer:
Dr. Andrew J. Fairbanks was recognized for outstanding achievements as the High Power Microwave (HPM) Integrated Air and Missile Defense Lethality lead at Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) Dahlgren Division, advancing the knowledge for HPM weapon capabilities and ultimately elevating the Navy’s position as a leader in directed energy. Fairbanks established the HPM Effects Laboratory, providing unparalleled testing capability across all classification levels for assessment of current and future threats. He spearheaded lethality analysis across multiple domains, identifying novel analysis methods that directly inform HPM weapon system design.
Jennifer K. Semple, Additive Manufacturing (AM) Technical Warrant Holder (Acting) at NSWC Carderock Division, was recognized for her work on metal AM specifications and standards, which has enabled the Navy to resolve component supply chain issues to support surface ships, submarines and carriers during sustainment and new construction. She is executing work to enable the use of metal AM components interchangeably with traditional manufacturing forms, completely contrary to the status quo, and directly in alignment with the Navy’s mission to increase fleet readiness.
Individual Scientist:
Dr. Jason T. Drotar, Global Navigation Satellite Systems technical lead at NSWC Dahlgren Division, was recognized for outstanding contributions to enhanced Position, Navigation and Timing (PNT) resilience. Drotar spearheaded cutting-edge satellite orbit determination software development, delivering innovative PNT solutions, including a novel long-term orbit and clock message adaptable to multiple satellite constellations. His contributions are integral to an upcoming experimental navigation satellite launch and technology demonstration. These efforts provide the warfighter with more reliable and accurate PNT information when the Global Positioning System (GPS) is degraded or unavailable, enhancing operational effectiveness.
Individual Engineers:
Dr. Matthew B. Greytak, Submarine Maneuvering and Control senior controls engineer at NSWC Carderock Division, was recognized for outstanding and revolutionary contributions to the field of submarine and unmanned vehicle control and autonomy. His work on the Columbia-class submarine program, performed while simultaneously driving innovation for the next generation of submarine and unmanned undersea vehicle (UUV) capabilities, has proven to be indispensable and transformative. Greytak consistently challenges the status quo, and his technical expertise and unwavering commitment have advanced the fundamental capabilities for submarine and UUV control and operational mission execution.
William A. Kenney, Next Generation Fire Control lead at NSWC Dahlgren Division, was recognized for exceptional leadership and technical vision in the rapid development and delivery of the revolutionary Major-caliber Anti-Drone Counter-Air Program (MADCAP)/Hypervelocity Projectile (HVP) Fire Direction System. His innovative fire control architecture enabled the integration of cutting-edge guided munitions, leading to rapid performance improvements over four ship installations in just 18 months. His efforts have provided the fleet with a dramatically enhanced gun system that doubles the effective engagement range and delivers a critical, low-cost counter-unmanned aerial systems capability.
Zachary S. Mohle, Fleet Data Collection (FDC) portfolio manager and principal engineer at NSWC Dahlgren Division, was recognized for outstanding contributions to revolutionizing FDC and enhancing information accessibility for the Surface Navy. The FDC portfolio, including FDC Vault and FDC STORM, dramatically reduces data offload times, addressing a demanding fleet need and enabling faster analysis. By streamlining data transfer from ship to shore, these solutions empower warfighters with rapid access to vital information. This capability supports faster feedback loops, enhanced situational awareness and increased operational effectiveness.
Scott R. Sideleau, who recently was named the new Distinguished Scientist/Engineer for Undersea Warfare Command and Control Systems, a Senior Scientific Technical Manager (SSTM) position at Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC) Newport Division, was recognized for outstanding contributions to the conception, development and transition of the Navy’s Transfer of Tactical Control (ToTC) framework. This breakthrough enables trusted, explainable delegation of authority between human operators and autonomous systems across domains and coalition partners. Through science and technology investments, Sideleau has transformed ToTC from an experimental idea into an operationally transitioning capability grounded in a common architecture for trusted autonomy.
Teams from a Single Command:
Aurora Software Foundry Team: Chris Meyer, Elliott R. Sperlazza and Zachary A. Sherrod, NSWC Dahlgren Division. The team was recognized for outstanding contributions to the development and demonstration of the Aurora Open Message Architecture, a government-owned interface standard enabling seamless communication between sensors, weapons and command and control (C2) systems. This architecture drastically reduces integration time and improves interoperability, accelerating adaptation for new missions. Its success has prompted its inclusion in Navy and Department of War contracts and endorsement by senior leadership as the model for future weapon control.
Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missile (SLBM) Worldwide High Frequency Gravity Team: Christopher F. Libelo, Eric A. Foxwell, Jermaine L. Moses, Natalie G. Purcell, William T. Collins and Jonathan L. Bradshaw, NSWC Dahlgren Division. The team was recognized for outstanding contributions to the development and utilization of a global high-frequency gravity data product, supporting the expansion of Trident II operational boundaries. This work increases U.S. Strategic Command’s ability to hold strategic targets at risk. Consolidated data from numerous sources was used to produce a single, unified model of worldwide gravity, ensuring strategic weapon systems accuracy and reliability from any launch area.
Yellow Moray Torpedo Tube Launch and Recovery Team: Richard (Rick) J. Thornton, Nipun Aggarwal, Cristina B. Cuevas Hernandez, Mark W. Dixon and Julie A. D’Orta, NUWC Division Newport. The team was recognized for successfully delivering the U.S. Navy’s first UUV capable of launch and recovery from a Virginia-class submarine torpedo tube. Originating as a Commander, Submarine Force-sponsored rapid prototype, the team completed full design, integration, testing, training and fleet transition and introduced modular payloads and advanced autonomous operations, enabling multiple intelligence missions during a single underway without returning to port, significantly enhancing undersea intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR).
Team Collaborating Across the DoN:
Distributed Open Ocean Mission Rehearsal Team, including: Richard T. Gaughen and Daniel M. Howard, NSWC Dahlgren Division; and Corey A. Guilbault, NSWC Corona Division. The team was recognized for developing technologies that greatly decrease Live Virtual Constructive (LVC) mentor workload and provide real-time ISR Risk Assessment feedback and on-demand, “just-in-time” training for the deployed force, enabling rapid learning and proficiency of crucial skills. These technologies have made significant contributions for improved operational readiness by enabling better crew coordination, enabling a previously non-existent mission rehearsal capability while on deployment, and enabling after action review across surface fleet assets.
| Date Taken: | 08.06.2026 |
| Date Posted: | 08.06.2026 11:09 |
| Story ID: | 571739 |
| Location: | US |
| Web Views: | 57 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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