Correction: 2005 ManTech Achievement Award
A multidisciplinary team led by two Navy Centers of Excellence has been recognized as co-recipients of the 2005 Defense Manufacturing Technology (ManTech) Achievement Award by the U.S. Office of Naval Research. Northrop Grumman, the design agent for DD(X) was mistakenly identified in a previous announcement reprinted here. The multidisciplinary team is led by the Navy Joining Center (NJC), with support from the Composites Manufacturing Technology Center (CMTC).
Award
The ManTech Achievement Award specifically recognizes the development of the composite-to-steel joint for DD(X), the next generation Navy destroyer. This ship features an all-composite deckhouse joined to a steel hull. The revolutionary adhesively bonded joint technology developed for the DD(X) surpassed the conventional mechanically fastened joint design and significantly improves performance and increases survivability while reducing in-service maintenance expense. The joint is 40 per cent lighter in weight and 50 per cent less expensive to produce than existing configurations.
Established in 1999, this award distinguishes teams dedicated to advancing the nation's defense with innovative and affordable technology. The award was presented to the DD(X) ManTech project team at the Defense Manufacturing Conference by Sue Payton, U.S. Deputy Under Secretary of Defense (Advanced Systems and Concepts) in recognition of outstanding contributions to the success of the composite-to-steel joint development project for DD(X).
The DD(X) ManTech project team was led by the Navy Joining Center managed by the Edison Welding Institute; and the Navy Composites Manufacturing Technology Center managed by SCRA/ARDI. Receiving awards were the multidisciplinary team members: Larry Brown (project leader) and George Ritter of the Edison Welding Institute; Ray Bohlmann of The Boeing Co.; Himat Garala of the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Carderock Div.; Darlon Necaise of Northrop Grumman Ship Systems; Jeff Smith of General Dynamics' Bath Iron Works; Kevin Koudela of Pennsylvania State University's Applied Research Lab; John Sullivan of Northrop Grumman Ship Systems; Terri Merdes of Pennsylvania State University's Applied Research Lab; and Ivan Snell (CMTC-SCRA).
