ARLINGTON, Va. — The Office of Naval Research (ONR) has a long record of placing winning bets on up-and-coming scientists. In fact, it was 30 years ago that the ONR Young Investigator Program sponsored Dr. Frances H. Arnold, a professor from the California Institute of Technology, who has been awarded the 2018 Nobel Prize in Chemistry.

Arnold — who still serves as a professor of chemical engineering at Caltech — was in Stockholm, Sweden, for the Nobel Prize Award Ceremonies, where she became only the fifth woman — and the first American woman — to take home science’s most recognized award.

“Dr. Arnold is the latest in a long line of Nobel Prize winners to have been sponsored through ONR basic research programs,” said Dr. E. Anne Sandel, ONR executive director. “Like the others, her research has led to discoveries and breakthroughs with important implications for both the Navy and society at large.”

ONR sponsored Arnold with a series of grants between 1988 and 2002.

“I received an ONR Young Investigator Award in the late 1980s, which introduced me to problems of interest to the Navy, but also problems of good intellectual content that overlapped with some of my interests in metal recognition and protein engineering,” said Arnold.

It was during this period that Arnold pioneered a process known as directed evolution of enzymes, which steers enzymes — proteins that accelerate chemical reactions — toward specific functions, such as manufacturing pharmaceuticals and biofuels.

“During those years, I developed methods for creating proteins that could be useful for naval applications, but that also pushed the boundaries of protein engineering,” said Arnold. “We were doing things that no one knew how to do.

“The methods we devised to make new proteins became useful to many other laboratories. That’s the reason I won the Nobel Prize,” she continued, “not just for what I have done with directed evolution, but for the impact that others have made with the technology we developed in those early days.”

Subsequent to Arnold’s original research, Dr. Laura Kienker, a program officer in ONR’s Warfighter Performance Department, saw the promise in Arnold’s work and provided a grant from 2011 to 2014, which led to the creation of a whole new class of enzymes that is important to sustainable production of chemicals and fuels from renewable sources.

Arnold’s research and teaching has also benefitted a new generation of scientists, several of whom ONR currently sponsors through basic research grants. According to Arnold, it’s important to take interest in and support this new generation of researchers, just like ONR did in her 30 years ago.

“It’s really important to fund people at an early stage, when they are just starting to formulate their ideas, because problems we learn about early in our careers stay with us,” said Arnold. “I

can’t thank ONR enough for that critical early support and also for introducing me to a community of brilliant scientists who were breaking new ground in biological engineering.”

Since 1952, more than 60 Nobel laureates have been sponsored by ONR for their work in everything from laser technology to graphene.

SAN DIEGO — U.S. Coast Guard and Royal Canadian Navy crews offloaded more than 5,100 pounds of seized cocaine on Dec. 7, worth nearly $70 million wholesale, in San Diego following a 49-day counter-drug patrol in the Eastern Pacific aboard Her Majesty’s Canadian Ship (HMCS) Edmonton with an embedded U.S. Coast Guard law enforcement detachment, the Coast Guard Pacific Area said in a release of the same date.

The cocaine was seized in international waters off the coast of Central and South America in support of Operation Carribe.

The crew of Edmonton with their embedded U.S. Coast Guard law enforcement detachment stopped two go-fast boats, resulting in the seizure of more than 3,500 pounds of cocaine worth almost $50 million. The crews also recovered an additional 1,600 pounds of cocaine from the Eastern Pacific Ocean during the patrol.

“This ‘cycle of justice’ disrupts a ‘cycle of crime,’ which left unchecked, fuels violence and instability that corrodes our hemisphere’s social and economic fabric,” said Vice Adm. Linda Fagan, U.S. Coast Guard Pacific Area commander. “I stand here today, alongside our Royal Canadian Navy partners, resolved in a shared commitment to protect those threatened by criminals and bring to justice those engaging in these nefarious acts.”

The Canadian Armed Forces are an international partner in the fight against transnational crime. Canadian-U.S. crews were responsible for seizing more than 31,000 pounds of cocaine from suspected drug smugglers in the Eastern Pacific since 2015 — taking an estimated $417 million out of the hands of the transnational organized crime networks.

Go-fast boats, traditionally open-hulled boats with multiple outboard engines, are used to outrun military and law enforcement officials. This offload showcases the variety of tactics and methods of conveyance transnational organized crime groups use to evade military and law enforcement detection.

The multinational effort to combat criminal networks in the region includes more than 19 partner nations operating with Joint Interagency Task Force South (JIATF South) a component of U.S. Southern Command. JIATF South partner nations, including Canadian forces, removed approximately 113 of the 283 tons of cocaine seized or disrupted for fiscal year 2017. JIATF South detects and monitors illicit trafficking in the air and maritime domains to facilitate international and interagency interdiction and apprehension of suspected illicit traffickers.

Operation Caribbe takes place in the Eastern Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. Under this operation, Canada sends Canadian Armed Forces ships and aircraft to assist Operation Martillo. This U.S.-led effort involves multiple countries cooperating to thwart the flow of drug trafficking.

JUNEAU, Alaska — The Coast Guard Cutter Alex Haley returned to homeport in Kodiak, Alaska, Dec. 6, following a 66-day multimission patrol, the 17th Coast Guard District said in a release.

Alex Haley spent the last two months patrolling the Bering Sea and the Aleutian chain. The crew conducted boarding evolutions on the Alaskan crabbing and fishing fleet, and responded to four separate search and rescue cases.

During the Alex Haley’s patrol, the cutter’s crew conducted 25 fisheries boarding evolutions ensuring the safety of the crews, vessels and the protection of the Bering Sea living-marine resources.

“Following a transfer season that saw a large crew turnover, this patrol provided quality training and operational opportunities across a broad spectrum of Coast Guard missions,” said Cmdr. Jon Kreischer, commanding officer of Alex Haley. “We are returning from a highly productive winter season Bering Sea patrol, and I am pleased with the favorable search and rescue case outcomes because they will brighten the holiday season for those families involved.”

The Alex Haley is a 282-foot medium-endurance cutter with 100 personnel assigned aboard it. The cutter steamed more than 8,735 miles throughout the last two months, traveling as far west as Adak along the Aleutian chain and as far north as St. Lawrence Island. The crew’s time underway was in support of those who make their livelihood on the Bering Sea.

HONOLULU — The Coast Guard Cutter Polar Star arrived Dec. 4 in Pearl Harbor to make final preparations before sailing to Antarctica in support of Operation Deep Freeze 2019, the Coast Guard Pacific Area said in a release.

The 42-year-old Coast Guard cutter is the United States’ only operational heavy icebreaker. The crew is scheduled to make their sixth deployment in as many years to directly support the resupply of McMurdo Station — the United States’ main logistics hub on Antarctica.

Polar Star recently completed a six-month drydock period where outdated equipment was upgraded or replaced. The 399-foot icebreaker is the only ship in the United States’ fleet capable of clearing a path through the Antarctic ice to escort resupply ships to McMurdo Station. The resupply ships deliver cargo and fuel to sustain year-round operations on the remote continent.

Operation Deep Freeze is a joint military service mission in support of the National Science Foundation — the lead agency for the United States Antarctic Program. Since 1955, U.S. Pacific Command has assisted in providing air and maritime support throughout the Antarctic continent. This year marks the 63rd iteration of the annual operation.

The Coast Guard has been the sole provider of the nation’s polar icebreaking capability since 1965, and is seeking to increase its icebreaking fleet with six new Polar Security Cutters to ensure continued national presence and access to the Polar Regions.

While in Pearl Harbor, the Polar Star will complete a variety of maintenance and repairs and to take on provisions in preparation for the month-long transit to Antarctica.

BOSTON — The Navy commissioned its newest surface combatant, USS Thomas Hudner (DDG 116), during a Dec. 1 ceremony, the commander, Naval Surface Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet Public Affairs said in a release.

USS Thomas Hudner, commanded by Cmdr. Nathan Scherry, is the 66th Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, and the 36th DDG 51-class destroyer built by General Dynamics Bath Iron Works (BIW). It is the first warship named for naval aviator and Medal of Honor recipient Capt. Thomas J. Hudner, Jr.

Hudner, a native of Fall River, Massachusetts, received the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions during the Battle of the Chosin Reservoir in 1950. Hudner crash-landed his plane in a selfless effort to save the life of his wingman and friend, Ensign Jesse Brown, the Navy’s first African American aircraft carrier qualified naval aviator.

Among the distinguished guests and speakers at the commissioning, Thomas Hudner III, son of Capt. Hudner, gave a speech about his father’s life and legacy.

“While many would say that my father’s actions were an extraordinary act, my father never thought of himself or that action as extraordinary,” said Hudner. “To the contrary, when he was asked through the years why he did what he did, he responded simply that it was the right thing to do and if he hadn’t acted, someone else would have. Throughout military history there have been countless acts of unselfish heroism, in fact the history of the United States has been built upon these acts many of which went unseen and without recognition. However, it was Capt. Hudner’s unselfish act in the service of his country, the United States Navy, and his friend and squadron mate that lives in the spirit of this ship.”

Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker delivered the principal address at the ceremony, which was attended by Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Joseph Dunford, Secretary of the Navy Richard V. Spencer, Mayor of Boston Martin Walsh, Vice Chief of Naval Operations Adm. William Moran, U.S. Rep. Stephen Lynch, D-Mass., and others.

“Simply put, life was never about Tom Hudner,” said Baker. “He was the consummate team player. The only way a person would know anything about what took place on that mountain top during the Korean War would have been to hear from someone else or to have read about it because he never talked about that day. It is my fervent hope that this ship is imbued with the humility, selflessness, patriotism, the commitment to one another, the kindness and decency that transcends our differences that made Tom so special.”

The ship’s sponsors, Georgea Hudner, wife of Capt. Hudner, and Barbara Miller, former co-chair of the Flag Officer Spouse Training, gave the traditional order to “Man this ship and bring her to life,” signaling the Sailors to embark and officially begin service as a U.S. Navy ship.

For the ship’s crew, the day was the culmination of a few years of work to get USS Thomas Hudner prepared for commissioning. The day was a special opportunity to bring the ship to life in Boston, where the legacies of great ships and great people are kept and revered.

Next, the ship will make its way to homeport in Mayport, Florida.

FORT PIERCE, Fla. — The Navy took delivery of the final component of the littoral combat ship (LCS) Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) Mission Package Nov. 30, following the successful completion of a rigorous acceptance test regime at the Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, Program Executive Office, Unmanned and Small Combatants (PEO USC), Public Affairs said in a Dec. 4 release.

The Raytheon-developed Dual-mode Array Transmitter (DART) Mission System and ASW Mission Package will significantly increase ASW capabilities within the U.S. Navy, bringing the ability to maneuver active and passive sonars above and below the thermocline layer.

“The DART Mission System is an essential component of the LCS ASW Package, and when coupled with the SQQ-89 acoustic processing, the Multi-Function Towed Array and MH-60R helicopter, makes up an ASW MP that will provide revolutionary capabilities to the fleet,” said Capt. Ted Zobel, LCS Mission Module program manager.

Sailors attached to USS Fort Worth (LCS 3) Gold Crew, Detachments 1 and 2, have played an integral role in testing and evaluating the DART Mission System. The Sailors participated not only in early testing of the system, but also provided feedback to the manufacturer on the operation and usability of the system.

“LCS Sailors have participated in major testing and evaluation events throughout the development of the DART system,” said Senior Chief Sonar Technician (SW) Joseph Hart. “Raytheon’s willingness to accept Sailor input as far as what the final production unit should look like and how it should operate has been exceptional, and has allowed the fleet testing team to ensure the DART system and the full extent of its capabilities will be effectively employed by future LCS crews.

“Tactically, this should be a game changer for the Surface Navy,” said Hart, who is with LCS ASW Detachment 2.

The preproduction test article (PPTA) remained on schedule and met all contractual milestones since the award was made in March 2017.

Following the acceptance of the DART PPTA, the Navy plans to embark the system on a craft of opportunity and proceed to the Atlantic Undersea Test and Evaluation Center for an in-water demonstration of the of the LCS ASW Mission Package’s Escort Mission Module prior to formal developmental testing on USS Fort Worth.

The LCS ASW Mission Package ensures the U.S. Navy will remain dominant in ASW and outpace submarine advances of international competitors.

MIDDLETOWN, R.I. — Rite-Solutions recently was selected as one of 23 companies that will participate in a five-year, $561.2 million contract to help the U.S. Navy develop future generations of its Unmanned Undersea Vehicle (UUV) Family of Systems (FoS), the company announced in a Dec. 3 release.

The contract, announced by the Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC) in Newport, Rhode Island, will develop core technologies in 12 functional areas such as payloads, propulsion, power storage and conversion, vehicle control, and command and control.

“We will focus on three areas: software, architecture, and command and control functionality,” said Mike Coffey, executive vice president and general manager at Rite-Solutions. “Our strength is integrating disparate systems into a single, cohesive system of systems.”

Consistent with government contracts, NUWC will release task-order requests for proposal that participating companies will bid on. But unlike contracts that source a finished product (such as a UUV) from a single company, NUWC will receive components from multiple companies.

“This contract is a little unique,” said Coffey. “NUWC is taking a best-of-breed approach to acquiring technologies that will enable them to develop, build and support UUV systems. They will integrate the different technologies in the prototype phases of UUV FoS development, which will establish the baselines for future production.”

Often a subcontractor to large system developers, Rite-Solutions is now a prime contractor alongside them.

“We are pleased to be included on this contract, with some of the biggest and most reputable companies in the aerospace and defense industry,” Coffey said.

Overall, the contract has options that could bring the total amount to $794.5 million.

MOBILE, Ala. — Central Gulf Lines Inc. (CGL), a subsidiary of SEACOR Holdings Inc., announced in a Dec. 3 release that the M/V Green Cove recently completed a round-trip voyage to Busan, South Korea, under a time charter to the U.S. Navy’s Military Sealift Command. CGL supported the movement of military equipment for U.S. Army brigades.

Green Cove transported well in excess of 20,000 metric tons of military cargo, including more than 150 M1 Abrams tanks and nearly 300 Bradley Fighting Vehicles, utilizing the vessel’s full lift capacity. The high-profile loading and discharge operations were attended by senior Army leadership.

CGL President and U.S. Navy veteran Henry Nuzum praised the tight coordination between CGL and the military.

“We appreciate the hard work of the 833rd Transportation Battalion in Seattle, the 837th Transportation Battalion in Busan and the 834th Transportation Battalion in Oakland, loading and discharging the cargo. CGL delivered the equipment safely and ahead of schedule,” Nuzum said. “In 1950, CGL completed its first military contract, moving equipment for Military Sealift Command to Korea. After nearly seven decades of moving equipment for the U.S. armed forces, it is gratifying to deliver a fresh brigade to the site of our inaugural military move and bring another one home.”

HENDERSON, Western Australia— Austal delivered the first Guardian-class patrol boat (GCPB) to the Australian Department of Defence Nov. 30 and then, in a handover ceremony, presented the vessel to the Papua New Guinea (PNG) government, the company said in a release. Ted Diro is the first of 21 GCPBs to be gifted to 12 Pacific Island nations and Timor-Leste under the Commonwealths Pacific Maritime Security Program.

“Austal are proud to deliver this program for the Commonwealth of Australia,” the company said. “The Guardian class has brought together the industry-leading skills of over 200 Austal employees and estimated to have employed an additional 200 people indirectly through the design, construction and sustainment process.

The Guardian class is the latest evolution of Austal’s proven patrol boat platform that was first introduced some 20 years ago, commencing with the Bay-class patrol boat developed for the Australian Customs Service. Since 1998, Austal has delivered 32 patrol boats to the Commonwealth — representing Australia’s entire border patrol capability. Austal has delivered or has orders for a total of 97 patrol boats for Australia and around the world.

“Over the past six weeks, we have had the Ted Diro crew from the PNG Navy at Austal training on how to use and maintain the new vessels,” said David Singleton, Austal CEO. “Their positive feedback on the greater capability, amenity and operability of the Guardian class has been fantastic. We look forward to show casing the new vessels to the other Pacific Island nations over the life of the vessel program through to 2023.

“The program is now in a full rate of production, with the second vessel, which is destined for Tuvalu, successfully launched on Monday with an additional three vessels in various stages of construction. Austal are already looking at export opportunities for the GCPB.”

The Pacific patrol boat contract was awarded to Austal in May 2016 with a contract option in April 2018. The program supports more than 200 direct jobs at Austal and more than a further 200 indirect jobs through the Australian industry involved in the program. Austal has around 1,000 employees in Australia directly contributing to delivering a strong domestic and export shipbuilding industry.

MCLEAN, Va. — BAE Systems has earned positions on two single-award indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contracts that support the rapid integration and sustainment of command, control, communications, computers, combat systems, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (C5ISR) systems for the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD), the company said in a Dec. 3 release. The two awards have a total potential value of more than $150 million.

The first award, LCS CONUS, is a five-year contract to provide life-cycle sustainment across military- and commercial-based communications platforms within the United States and abroad. These systems are used by Navy, Special Operations Forces, Homeland Security, and other Department of Defense and non-defense agencies. The IDIQ contract has a maximum ceiling value of $83 million.

“Our engineers specialize in providing custom, tailor-made C5ISR solutions to help close communications capability gaps for the U.S. military,” said Mark Keeler, vice president and general manager of BAE Systems’ Integrated Defense Solutions business. “BAE Systems takes pride in keeping the lines of communication open for those on the front lines of national security.”

The company also secured a position on a five-year IDIQ to provide rapid integration and production services for C5ISR systems on board small and large militarized vehicles and air platforms. Most of the work will take place within NAWCAD’s Special Communications Mission Solutions Division’s production facility at St. Inigoes, Maryland, known as the Special Communications Rapid Integration Facility.

The remaining work will take place in Jacksonville, Florida, providing direct support to the local Fleet Readiness Center. BAE Systems taskings will include supporting mobile, fixed-base stations, various fixed and rotary wing air platforms, and large command centers deployed around the world. The IDIQ contract has a maximum ceiling estimated at $68 million.