16 Dahlgren 



Dahlgren made a conscious effort at this time to upgrade the usefulness of 

 the Laboratory's work for the Navy. The new national interest in technology 

 and space competition, stimulated by the Soviet launching of Sputnik, assisted 

 to some degree, and Dahlgren was able to gradually draw in programs that 

 were of primary importance to the Navy. 



Since defense technology was shifting from guns to missiles, efforts to in- 

 crease the scientific capability at Dahlgren were largely directed to new areas. In 

 1959, the Laboratory's responsibilities in the POLARIS Ballistic Missile Pro- 

 gram continued to grow. A U.S. Naval Space Surveillance Facility was also 

 established in the computer center and continued until 1961 when it became a 

 separate command on the Dahlgren reservation.^^ 



Many new diversified efforts at the Laboratory were directed toward elec- 

 tronics as well as gunnery; however, considerable proof and testing of guns and 

 ammunition still continued, and rumors of closure again emerged. Fortunate- 

 ly, a major effort was already underway to acquire technical programs from the 

 Navy's design and development organizations in Washington. 



Under the guidance of Dr. Russell Lyddane and Mr. Bernard Smith,* 

 Dahlgren enhanced its role in research and development of programs of major 

 importance to the Navy. Dr. Lyddane succeeded in increasing the size and 

 competence of the technical staff at Dahlgren, and by the time the Naval 

 Proving Ground was officially retided the Naval Weapons Laboratory in Au- 

 gust 1959, over half of its work was in research and development.^^ A new 

 two-million-dollar computer laboratory, approved in September 1962, in- 

 creased the Dahlgren credibility, and by September 1962 the Laboratory had 

 1880 employees.^'* 



During Mr. Smith's tenure, large numbers of young technical personnel 

 were recruited to aid in weapons development. Management rotations were 

 implemented to insure a flexible, well-informed management to promote new 

 ideas. These efforts resulted in new programs that eventually led to involve- 

 ment in complete weapons systems rather than isolated components of larger 

 systems. 



The Vietnam War in the 1960's again proved that guns are a vital part of 

 modern warfare, and the proof and testing work at the Dahlgren range once 

 again increased. However, this time it represented a small portion of significant 

 research and development in other areas. The Dahlgren computer center 

 increased in size and prestige with the expanding work on the POSEIDON and 

 Transit Navigation Satellite Programs. New efforts in development of light- 

 weight naval guns also emerged. Then in 1967, Dahlgren initiated the concept 

 of guided projectiles fired from naval and marine guns. This opened new doors 

 for work in fire control, electro-optics, ballistics, and guidance. 



*Dr. Russell H. Lyddane was Dahlgren's Technical Director from 1956 until 1964. He was suc- 

 ceeded by Mr. Smith, who served in that capacity from 1964 until 1973. 



