China Lake hosts first ESDP symposium

Scott Quackenbush explains how F/A-18 software integration is tested at NAWCWD's Advanced Weapons Lab. Photo by Joy Lewis.

Engineer and Scientist Development Program participants from across NAVAIR get an up-close look at an EA-18 Growler at NAWCWD China Lake. Photo by Joy Lewis.

Date: 17-Dec-08
News Release Number: ECL200812171

NAWCWD China Lake hosted an Engineer and Scientist Development Program (ESDP) technical symposium on Dec. 2-3 that showcased the diverse work currently underway by young professionals throughout NAVAIR in support of the warfighter.

This was the fifth NAVAIR ESDP symposium and the first time it was held at China Lake. Twenty-one technical presentations were delivered by ESDP participants from five of the eight NAVAIR sites. Some of the topics were electromagnetic effects and their impact on the warfighter, countermeasure dispenser system support, targets and decoys, the Raven unmanned aerial system, systems engineering design and analysis, and signal recognition for airborne electronic attack.

The afternoon sessions were spent touring NAWCWD facilities including the Integrated Battlespace Arena, China Lake Propulsion Lab, Range Control Center and the Advanced Weapons Lab.

"Those who had not been here before were very impressed with the size of our ranges and the work we do at China Lake," said Jason Redmond, symposium chairman. "Some of the ESDPs said they were interested in doing a tour and possibly even transferring here."

Dr. Bob Smith, chief engineer of the Weapons and Energetics Department, kicked off the symposium with encouraging words and advice on how ESDPs can advance in technical fields. Susie Raglin, head of the Software/Systems Product Development and Integration Division, was the keynote speaker on the second day.

"This symposium really helped me see the big picture," said Jennifer Nguyen, an ESDP working in the Electromagnetic Environmental Effects Branch at Patuxent River. "NAVAIR is a complex organization and it takes so many different people to operate effectively."

The symposium provided an opportunity for ESDPs to practice their presentation skills, gain firsthand knowledge of capabilities at China Lake, and network with other young professionals throughout the command.

"The symposium highlighted the richness and diversity fostered by the program," said Mike Brazinski, an ESDP participant working in the Avionics Special Projects Department at NAVAIR Lakehurst. "I was really impressed with the talent that we have in the program, and all the work that the ESDPs are involved with."

Organizers are considering returning to China Lake for next year's symposium.

"Events like this help us become a tighter community throughout NAVAIR," Redmond said. "It encourages more people to work together across the sites."

[Return to 2008 News Releases]