WEST BETHESDA, Md. – U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.) recently joined the employees of the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Carderock Division for a wide-ranging, town hall-style meeting that explored topics of particular concern to federal employees and contractors.
Cardin, the Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, opened the exchange with an update on the OPM federal employee data breach and the RECOVER Act, which he has introduced better protect those affected by the breach. A robust question-and-answer period followed and included discussion on the federal retirement system, military budgets, Affordable Care Act and transportation funding bill. Senator Cardin also emphasized the critical need to emerge from the present era of unrealistic federal budgetary constrictions and short-sighted planning.
“An impressive collection of highly skilled people combine their efforts at Carderock every single day. Nowhere is the critical importance of the combined contributions of our federal workers and civilian contractors illustrated more clearly,” said Senator Cardin. “I’m proud to continue working on their behalf to ensure that we move beyond this era of sequestration, temporary continuing resolutions and other short-term budget gimmicks. Programs and projects like those underway at Carderock and nation-wide need a strong federal partner with consistent priorities in order to achieve maximum effect.”
During the event, Senator Cardin recognized the extraordinary accomplishments of one Naval Surface Warfare Center, Carderock Division employee, Philip Dudt, from Rockville, Md. Dudt won the Navy’s Vice Admiral Harold Bowen Award for patented inventions by leading the effort to expeditiously identify, test and exploit an Explosion Resistant Coating that provided a lightweight alternative to armor for ships and ground vehicles like those used in Iraq and Afghanistan. This coating increased the survivability of the vehicles and helped reduce personnel casualties.
This technology has also led to development of new helmet modifications that protect service members against traumatic brain injury. A Carderock Division Wounded Warrior was a part of Dudt’s team that worked to optimize the helmet’s ability to withstand certain blast and ballistic frequencies to increase U.S. Navy personal protection gear.
“I was proud to extend a special commendation to a very special Marylander, Philip Dudt, whose team at Carderock developed an blast-resistant polymer that will save lives and keep our military personnel safer,” said Senator Cardin. “Maryland is perfectly positioned to thrive in the 21st century innovation economy, and the accomplishments of Mr. Dudt and his team show the big things that Marylanders do for our country every single day.”
NSWC Carderock Division leads the Navy in hull, mechanical and electrical engineering expertise and delivers technical solutions in order to build and sustain a dominant, ready and affordable fleet. Headquartered in West Bethesda, Md., approximately 3,600 scientists, engineers, technicians and support personnel are located across the United States.
###
