An osprey in its nest watches over one of the newest weapons to arrive at Dahlgren. The MK45/MOD4 is a 5-inch gun that can fire an extended-range guided munition, also known as an ERGM. The weapons system is still under development. van View More Images from this story Visit the Photo Place

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Aiming HIGH

Naval Surface Warfare Center works to preserve its mission in the face of pending military cuts.

By RUTH FINCH

Date published: 7/21/2003

TWO MONTHS before President George W. Bush declared war on Iraq, software engineers at the Naval Surface Warfare Center were asked to evaluate how well computer equipment aboard the Navy ships assembling in the Persian Gulf could work together in a high-tech war zone.

Previously, such a complicated task could be done only when all ships, submarines and aircraft involved gathered for a live test or a real-life military conflict.

But with a specialized lab built at Dahlgren in 1998, NSWC engineers didn't even have to leave their desks to prepare a detailed report on how all five battle groups in the Persian Gulf would be able to work as more than just the sum of their parts.

They used computer modeling to assure total integration of the computers that read sensors, control weapon systems, allow communication and ease decision-making for every component of every battle group.

This sort of technical wizardry has earned the base its reputation as a leader in high-tech military research.

But now, some people are wondering whether the high-tech work will remain after a round of Base Realignments and Closures due in 2005.

That realignment, called BRAC, was authorized by Congress in 2001 as a way for the Department of Defense to save money for modernization. The initial criteria for selecting bases to be targeted during the latest round of BRAC are due at the end of this year.

Until then, it's impossible to predict how Dahlgren might fare in this next BRAC round. But some state leaders are already gathering information on the base's most valuable assets, just in case the Potomac River facility ends up on the list of bases slated for cuts or closure.

"You can't take any definitive action until the process moves a little further along," said former U.S. Rep. Owen Pickett, who co-chairs the Virginia Commission on Base Retention. "Right now, there's nothing to act on, nothing to respond to."

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Date published: 7/21/2003