CHIPS Articles: U.S. Navy History and Week in Review

Navy Space-Based Orbital Debris Sensor Receives U.S. Patent — Small orbital debris objects can threaten vital space-based assets. The Navy's patented compact debris detection device can detect debris in near real-time and provide essential trajectory data for future use. The U.S. Naval Research Laboratory (NRL), Geospace Science and Technology Branch, received U.S. patent (#8976245), March 10, for the Optical Orbital Debris Spotter - a compact, low power, low cost, local space debris detection concept that can be integrated into larger satellite designs, or flown independently on-board nano-satellite platforms.

Parade of Ships Signals Start of 2015 Fleet Week New York — The U.S. Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard officially kicked off 2015 Fleet Week New York (FWNY) with a Parade of Ships, May 20. FWNY, now in its 27th year, is the city's time-honored celebration of the sea services. It is an unparalleled opportunity for the citizens of New York and the surrounding tri-state area to meet Sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen, as well as witness firsthand the latest capabilities of today's maritime services. Nearly 1,800 Sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen are participating this year.

Navy Artifact Collection Management Facility Begins Operations — The Navy officially stood up its artifact Collection Management Facility (CMF) here May 20 in a small ceremony to thank those involved in making the facility a reality. Naval artifacts had been previously housed in separate facilities in Washington D.C., Springfield, Virginia, Cheatham Annex, Virginia, and Memphis, Tennessee. The refurbished building in Richmond provides improved environmental controls for high-risk artifacts, proper shelving and storage, and an area for conserving and preserving the artifacts. NHHC currently holds more than 300,000 artifacts in its collection dating back to the founding of the Republic.

The Department of the Navy Launches the "Hatch" — The Department of the Navy (DON) launched its crowdsourced ideation platform, the "Hatch," May 20. The launch of the Hatch is part of the initiative to build a DON Naval Innovation Network (NIN). The Hatch is an accessible, virtual collaboration forum where innovators can submit their creative ideas for improving the DON. In the Hatch, ideas can be refined through crowdsourcing and further developed by local innovators and subject matter experts.

Department of the Navy Hosts 5th Annual Wounded Warrior Conference — Employers from across the country attended the 5th annual Wounded Warrior Hiring and Support Conference, May 19-20 in San Antonio. The purpose of the two-day conference was to bring employers and wounded warriors together in one location to match their employment needs.

Future USNS Brunswick (JHSV 6) Launched — The Navy's newest joint high speed vessel (JHSV 6), the future USNS Brunswick, was launched from the Austal USA Shipyard May 19. JHSV-6 is designed for the fast intra-theater transportation of troops, military vehicles and equipment. Capable of transporting 600 short tons 1,200 nautical miles at an average speed of 35 knots, the ship will provide U.S. forces with added mobility and flexibility. The JHSV design includes a flight deck for helicopter operations and an off-load ramp that allows for quick vehicular access to and from the ship as well as access to austere piers and quay walls. The vessel will operate in support of a wide range of operations including maneuver and sustainment, relief operations, flexible logistics support, or as the key enabler for rapid transport.

Docked! USS Constitution Shifts Colors for Multi-Year Restoration — The world's oldest commissioned warship afloat is no longer afloat after entering dry dock May 19 for a planned multi-year restoration. USS Constitution, eased into historic Dry Dock 1 at Charlestown Navy Yard Boston National Historical Park with the help and coordination of a large team of stakeholders including the ship's crew, Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, Naval History and Heritage Command's Maintenance Detachment Boston, USS Constitution Museum, and the National Park Service.

Navy Band Northeast Kicks-Off Fleet Week New York Festivities — U.S. Navy Band Northeast's "Pops Ensemble" performed a free concert in front of the Brooklyn Central Public Library, May 18, kicking off 2015 Fleet Week New York (FWNY) festivities. FWNY, now in its 27th year, runs May 20-26. The weeklong celebration is the city's time-honored celebration of the sea services, and an unparalleled opportunity for the citizens of New York and the surrounding tri-state area to meet Sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen, as well as witness firsthand the latest capabilities of today's maritime services.

Center for Service Support Launches Improved NKO Portal — Sailors in administration, logistics and media ratings now have a new and improved way to access training and advancement material. Center for Service Support (CSS) launched a new Navy Knowledge Online (NKO) portal on April 11. According to the center, the new and improved CSS NKO portal is now live. The CSS NKO portal is updated frequently with the latest course information, Personnel Qualification Standards (PQS), rate training manuals (RTM), learning and development roadmaps (LaDR), and many other curricula updates.

These stories originally published by Navy News Service during May 18-22, 2015. For more Navy news, go to: www.navy.mil/.