NSWC Crane Scientists Selected for HEART Leadership

CRANE, Ind. (NNS) -- Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) Crane Strategic Mission Center scientists were selected for leadership roles with the Hardened Electronics and Radiation Technology (HEART) forum starting in July.

NSWC Crane employee and Vanderbilt University PhD student, Sarah (Nation) Armstrong, was appointed member-at-large of the HEART Steering Group.

Steven Clark, NSWC Radiation Sciences chief engineer, was elected by the IEEE Nuclear and Plasma Science Society to the Radiation Effects Steering Committee.

HEART is a Department of Defense (DoD) only forum that covers all technologies relevant to the fielding of radiation-hardened systems for the nation.

"This technical community provides the way ahead for DoD in examining the critical operational behavior of electronics in potentially harsh radiation environments," said Ben Harkness, department director for the Global Deterrence and Defense Department. "It is a credit to our people and our technical capabilities that we continue to have personnel selected to leadership positions within this organization."

As member-at-large of the HEART steering group, Armstrong's roles will include general counsel for future direction and various duties associated with upcoming events.

"It is an honor to represent the radiation effects community as member-at-large for the HEART Steering Group," Armstrong said. "NSWC Crane management has provided endless support to make it possible for me to pursue leadership opportunities such as this. Senior members of the Strategic Missions Center team have been wonderful mentors, working to integrate me into the community and providing outstanding examples of leadership."

Clark's election to the Radiation Effects Steering Committee is a three-year term that includes recording meeting minutes and transactions, as well as providing guidance and direction for future conferences.

"HEART is an important Department of Defense only forum that allows us to present, discuss and plan future research activities in an appropriate environment," Clark said. "We use this information to plan the work that ultimately leads the development of space and missile systems."

NSWC Crane scientists have participated in the HEART Conference from its origination in the early 1980s. NSWC Crane's Strategic Missions Center is the Navy's only organic organization that designs radiation hardened electronics and has positioned itself as a leader by supplying the warfighter with the tools needed to meet mission requirements in radiation-prone environments.

For more news from Crane Division, Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC Crane), visit www.navy.mil/local/crane/.