NSWC Dahlgren Scientists Invent New Class of Weapons

The first Navy Distinguished Achievement in Science Award (DASA) in 14 years was presented by Rear Adm. Archer Macy, commander of Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC), to Drs. William Holt and Willis Mock, Jr. at an awards ceremony held Sept. 7 at the Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) headquarters located at the historic Washington Navy Yard. Mock and Holt were the first NAVSEA scientists to receive the prestigious and rarely given Navy DASA award, which enables the Secretary of the Navy to recognize pioneering scientific extraordinary and significant achievements of a pioneering “breakthrough” nature and with far-reaching consequences. The NSWC Dahlgren scientists’ discovery of a revolutionary approach for using plastic materials for Navy ordnance applications has “the potential for providing an entirely new class of weapons… and has opened the door to applications that will have an impact on the Navy and the other services for years to come,” according to Navy officials who endorsed the award. Secretary of the Navy Gordon England recognized them for their co-discovery of reactive materials effects that “promises to have continuing, far-reaching consequences for the warfighter.” In the citation, England called Mock and Holt’s discovery, “a new and revolutionary approach for using plastic polymer […]