SAN DIEGO — Dr. Benjamin Taylor, a senior researcher at the Navy’s Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Pacific (SSC Pacific), was honored by Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics Frank Kendall with the ASD R&E Lab Scientist of the Quarter Award for Fiscal Year 2016, Third Quarter, during a Sept. 13 ceremony hosted at the Pentagon.
Taylor was selected for his lead role in developing new superconducting quantum interference devices for the detection of radio frequency (RF) transmissions that greatly improved the U.S. military's gathering of signals intelligence. Specifically, his research with state-of-the-art micro- and nano-scale circuitry is focused on High Temperature Superconducting (HTS) Superconducting Quantum Interference Device (SQUID) arrays for the detection of RF signals.
SQUID arrays are small wideband and sensitive detectors that will significantly reduce the number of antenna systems the warfighter requires to dominate the RF spectrum. This reduction has implications across many mission areas ranging from Special Operations capabilities to topside antenna systems synthesis and the corresponding reduction in radar cross sections.
The knowledge base resulting from Taylor’s groundbreaking research will have a direct impact on future joint and naval operations and the protection of the forces executing their assigned missions.
Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Pacific provides the U.S. Navy and military with essential capabilities in the areas of command and control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (C4ISR). SSC Pacific provides the full spectrum of C4ISR capabilities from basic research and prototype development, to extensive test and evaluation services, through systems engineering and integration, to installation and life-cycle support of fielded systems. SSC Pacific is a recognized leader in the cyber domain and for autonomous unmanned systems, and is providing the technological and engineering support critical to ensuring the Navy’s information warfare superiority.