Page 8. MAINE COASTAL NEWS August 2015 U. S. NAVY NEWS structed at the atomic scale.


“Mapping the location of each chemical species in a material microstructure enables an unprecedented understanding of the true effects of alloying and material synthesis, which is essential for truly optimizing the properties of any material,” Knipling said. “We expect the LEAP to deliver new atom- ic-scale perspective and insights into a wide range of materials science investigations.” For example, researchers at NRL are developing semiconductor materials with very dilute levels of added ‘dopant’ atoms for the purpose of tailoring their electrical properties. These doped materials form the building blocks of nearly all semiconductor electronic devices such as diodes, tran- sistors, solar cells, LEDs, and integrated circuits.


ATLANTIC OCEAN (May 21, 2015) A dolphin jumps in front of the Virginia-class attack submarine Pre-Commissioning Unit (PCU) John Warner (SSN 785) as the boat conducts sea trials in the Atlantic Ocean. (U.S. Navy photo courtesy of Huntington Ingalls Industries by Chris Oxley/Released)


Continued from Page 7.


USS Virginia (SSN 774), USS Hawaii (SSN 776) and USS New Hampshire (SSN 778). “The crew was very excited to be cho- sen to take the ship forward and conduct operations in support of fl eet and combatant commanders’ operational objectives,” said Gordon. “It was a rare opportunity for the crew to be able to deploy prior to executing its post shakedown availability. Many crew members had never deployed before and were able to experience fi rst-hand the hard work and effort required in preparing a ship for deployed operations. They trained hard and expertly executed our mission. I could not be more proud of their performance and the professionalism that they exhibited during our operations.” Capt. Jim Waters, commander, Subma- rine Squadron 4 and the submarine’s im- mediate superior in the chain of command, expanded on the captain’s comment. “The timing within USS North Dakota’s schedule, along with its highly-trained and certifi ed crew, made it the optimal choice to conduct this mission,” said Waters. “The mission completed by North Dakota also demonstrated the promising and emerging technology of UUVs within the Submarine Force.”


North Dakota is the 11th Virginia-class attack submarine to join the fl eet, and the fi rst of eight Block III Virginia-class subma- rines to be built. The Block III submarines are built with new Virginia Payload Tubes designed to lower costs and increase mis- sile-fi ring payload possibilities. The 10 current Virginia-class subma- rines have 12 individual 21-inch diameter vertical launch tubes able to fi re Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles (TLAMS). The Block III submarines being built will have two-larger 87-inch diameter tubes able to house six TLAMS each.


As the most modern and sophisticated attack submarine in the world, the submarine can operate in both littoral and deep ocean environments and presents combatant com- manders with a broad and unique range of operational capabilities. North Dakota is a fl exible, multi-mission platform designed to carry out the seven core competencies of the submarine force: anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, delivery of special operations forces, strike warfare, irregular warfare, intelligence, surveillance and re- connaissance and mine warfare. The submarine is 377 feet long, has a 34-foot beam, and will be able to dive to depths greater than 800 feet and operate at speeds in excess of 25 knots submerged. It will operate for 33 years without ever refu-


eling.


Construction on North Dakota began March 2009; the submarine’s keel was authenticated during a ceremony on May 11, 2012; and the submarine was christened during a ceremony Nov. 2, 2013. North Dakota is the second Navy ship,


and fi rst submarine, to be named in honor of the people of “The Peace Garden State.” The other ship was the Delaware-class battleship BB-29, which was commissioned April 11, 1910 and decommissioned Nov. 22, 1923.


Naval Research Laboratory Takes LEAP in NextGen Materials Design By Daniel Parry, U.S. Naval Research Laboratory Public Affairs


WASHINGTON (NNS) -- Researchers at the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) now have the only Local Electrode Atom Probe (LEAP) device in use in the Department of Defense (DoD), capable of analyzing materials at the atomic level for the development of next-generation alloys and semi-conducting materials. The NRL Materials Science and


Technology Division, has taken delivery of a state-of-the-art Cameca 4000X Si Local Electrode Atom Probe, a high per- formance microscope that provides precise atom-by-atom dissection of a material vol- ume, enabling true three-dimensional (3D) atomic-scale reconstructions of material microstructures.


“Exact knowledge of where individual atoms are in a material is of tremendous ben- efi t when engineering new materials,” said Keith Knipling, NRL Materials Science and Technology Division. “We expect the LEAP to greatly enhance our capability to develop new materials, including the next generation of structural alloys for stronger ship hulls and more advanced turbine engines, new electronic materials for tomorrow’s faster integrated circuits, and advanced solar cell and battery materials with improved power and energy effi ciency.” The LEAP works using the principle of


fi eld evaporation, whereby a strong electric fi eld applied to a needle-like specimen is suffi cient to cause removal of atoms by ionization.


Atom evaporation is triggered either by a voltage or laser pulse applied to the sample. The resulting ions are accelerated away from the specimen and identifi ed chemically by time-of-fl ight mass spectrometry and their positions are deduced from the coordinates of ion impacts on a position-sensitive detec- tor.


By repeating this sequence, the atoms are progressively removed from the tip, and a 3D image of the material can be recon-


Most analytical techniques are incapa- ble of measuring these small concentration levels, much less where the dopants seg- regate within the microstructure. With the LEAP, researchers can now answer these questions. Worldwide, there are only a handful of


LEAP microscopes in use. NRL Materials Science and Technology Division possess the only one in use by the DoD.


Digging Up the Past: Salvaging CSS Georgia


By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jesse A. Hyatt, NPASE East


SAVANNAH, Ga. (NNS) -- Sailors from Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit (MDSU) 2 and Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit (EODMU) 6, along with Naval History and Heritage Command and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, are diving the Savannah River to salvage the Civil War ironclad CSS Georgia.


Literally plunging into history, the team is in the water recovering Civil War-era ordnance and projectiles, rendering the site safe for the next stages of the mission. “We have already recovered upwards of 100 pieces of unexploded ordnance and discarded military munitions from the river bottom,” said Chief Warrant Offi cer Jason Potts, on-scene diving and salvage commander. “Once this portion is wrapped up, we can move on to cannon recovery and large artifact removal.”


The salvage of the ship from the river is necessitated by the Savannah Harbor Ex- pansion Project, or SHEP. In order to deepen the river from 42 to 47 feet for larger ships, the ironclad needed to be removed. If the ship were not removed it would be demolished by the expansion because the wreck sits right on the shoulder of the channel used by commercial ships entering the port.


Planning took efforts from several sources, starting with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE).


“The project has huge national bene-


fi ts,” said Russell Wicke of the Army Corps of Engineers Corporate Communications Offi ce. “An economic study shows the trans- portation cost savings could be upwards of $174 million a year.” With the project in early planning stages, USACE reached out to the Navy for assistance. “The Army Corps of Engineers sent a request asking for help to the U.S. Navy,” said Rick Thiel, Naval Sea Systems Com- mand (NAVSEA) Supervisor of Salvage and Diving (SUPSALV) project manager. “That is how we got involved and coordinated all of the units out here.”


The Savannah River is an 18-mile stretch of water that connects the Port of Savannah to the Atlantic Ocean. The dive site location controls when and how the team


goes about the recovery process. “The environment in the Savannah River is unique,” said Potts. “With the strong current, civilian and commercial boat traffi c, and the Georgia weather in July, we have had challenges, but with careful planning, we came prepared to meet those challenges.” MDSU-2 and EODMU-6 conducted training throughout May and June to pre- pare for the CSS Georgia salvage operation. During this time, the units had to build cohe- sion between the two different groups. The team also trained to familiarize themselves with the equipment they are using, and the murky conditions of the river. “The fi rst couple of days we worked out the kinks, and now we are all really settling into a nice groove,” said Hospital Corps- man 1st Class Justin Wallace, assigned to MDSU-2. “Everybody really knows their job, and we are working together fl awless- ly.”


The team is utilizing high-tech sonar, underwater imaging equipment and a vari- ety of modern-day dive equipment, but the historical importance of the mission isn’t lost in a slew of technology.


“I’m just really proud of my Sailors, and we are all very proud to work on this piece of history,” said Potts.


Navy divers are in the water every day, throughout the world, performing a diverse array of mission sets. With 2015 serving as The Year of the Military Diver, the CSS Georgia is a perfect illustration of their ca- pabilities as they dive into history. U.S. Navy EOD is the world’s premier combat force for countering explosive haz- ards and conducting expeditionary diving and salvage.


Remains of Revolutionary War Schoo- ner Presented to Navy


From Naval History and Heritage Command, Communication and Outreach Division


HARRISBURG, Pa. (NNS) -- The city of Harrisburg formally presented the remains of Continental Navy schooner Royal Savage to the U.S. Navy during a press briefi ng at City Hall July 1.


Mayor Eric Papenfuse presided over the event in which Naval History and Heritage Command (NHHC) Director Sam Cox ac- cepted the artifacts on behalf of the Navy. “This ship, and its artifacts are now going to be preserved and cherished for the public for generations to come as they should be,” said Mayor Papenfuse. The Mayor added, “for the last 20 years, the ar- tifacts have stayed in storage, out of public viewing, and we are pleased today to bring them to the light of day and to make sure they are being given the proper care.” Cox thanked the Mayor and the people


of Harrisburg, letting all know the artifacts are in good hands. “The United States Navy takes very seriously our obligation to protect and preserve the heritage of the Navy and our Nation,” said Cox. “The fi rst thing we will do is go through a process of preserving and protecting them for the long term. As we go through that process we will open the process up to scholars; archeologists and historians have much to learn from this.” Art Cohn, of the Lake Champlain Mari- time Museum, was also on hand for the his- toric return of the Royal Savage. He shared the ship’s story, its role on Lake Champlain, and the importance of studying her remains. “I am here to celebrate and extend gratitude to the city of Harrisburg and to the Naval History and Heritage Command or their extraordinary cooperation in preserv- ing a hugely important piece of American


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