DVIDS – News – NUWC Division Newport chief technology officer wins National Defense Industrial Association Bronze Medal

NEWPORT, R.I. — Dr. Jason Gomez, Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC) Division Newport’s chief technology officer, was recently selected as the 2020 National Defense Industrial Association Bronze Medal winner, an annual award that recognizes outstanding individual achievements in science or engineering in the field of undersea warfare.

Gomez, a resident of East Greenwich, Rhode Island, began his 28-year career at Division Newport in 1992 as a mechanical engineer. While working with the fleet, he managed the Contender Program, a $290 million program for the Strategic Capabilities Office, which will transition into the heavyweight torpedo program of record to deliver both long-range anti-submarine warfare and anti-surface warfare capabilities. He managed the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency Underwater Express program and successfully developed the world’s fastest electric underwater vehicle and the first controlled supercavitating vehicle in the U.S. This success led to the Blue Wolf program, where his work enabled significant improvements in long-range torpedo and other unmanned underwater vehicle capabilities.

Most recently, leading the science and technology (S&T) community as chief technology officer, Gomez established an S&T Strategy Board including all Division Newport departments and worked to reform the Patent Review Board. He also directs longer term S&T needs and basic research and development efforts as part of essential university and industry partnerships.

His ability to take on new challenges and exceed expectations has cemented his reputation as a technology expert.

The citation states: “The results of his hard work and expertise are evident in the improvement and advancement of essential Navy capabilities for today and the future. He remains committed to technical excellence, innovation and a sustained high level of performance associated with science and technology advancements.”

Gomez will be honored during a future virtual ceremony.

NUWC Division Newport is a shore command of the U.S. Navy within the Naval Sea Systems Command, which engineers, builds and supports America’s fleet of ships and combat systems. NUWC Newport provides research, development, test and evaluation, engineering and fleet support for submarines, autonomous underwater systems, undersea offensive and defensive weapons systems, and countermeasures associated with undersea warfare.

NUWC Newport is the oldest warfare center in the country, tracing its heritage to the Naval Torpedo Station established on Goat Island in Newport Harbor in 1869. Commanded by Capt. Chad Hennings, NUWC Newport maintains major detachments in West Palm Beach, Florida, and Andros Island in the Bahamas, as well as test facilities at Seneca Lake and Fisher’s Island, New York, Leesburg, Florida, and Dodge Pond, Connecticut.