Combat Direction Systems Activity (CDSA) gained final approval recently to change its name to Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division (NSWCDD) Dam Neck Activity (DNA), the command announced, March 15. The short name will be NSWCDD DNA.

"The name change reflects the fact that Combat Direction Systems Activity was a largely outdated name, with only four advanced combat direction systems left in the Navy on LHDs 3-6," said Cmdr. Andrew J. Hoffman, commanding officer of NSWCDD DNA. "It was also not reflective of the breadth of the research and development work we do across our command. This helps us to better align with our echelon four command, Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division, as well as other NSWC divisions. It was past time to change our name and better align with our mission and the NSWC naming convention."

The name change also provides a "common, aligned understanding of the name change across the NSWC enterprise," added Hoffman. "We remain an echelon five command under NSWC Dahlgren Division with the same organizational alignment and our mission areas and work remain the same."

The command has had several name changes since it began as Fleet Computer Programming Center in 1963. The name was changed to Fleet Combat Direction Systems Support Activity in 1971, but based upon software support of the Combat Direction System, the command was renamed CDSA in 2000.

NSWCDD Dam Neck Activity hosts NSWC Dahlgren Division's Readiness and Training Department which maintains most of its workforce at Dam Neck, including the department head, Dr. Marty Irvine. Several branches from other departments at Dahlgren are also hosted at NSWCDD Dam Neck Activity.

"We are the only waterfront research and development, test and engineering command in the Navy's largest fleet concentration area," said Hoffman. "No matter the name, we will continue to provide the same great support that we always have to the Navy and nation."

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