NORTH KINGSTOWN, R.I. (NNS) -- The Navy celebrated the keel-laying of Pre-Commissioning Unit North Dakota (SSN 784) at General Dynamics Electric Boat-Quonset Point division in North Kingstown, May 11.

In a time-honored Navy tradition, ship's sponsor Katie Fowler, wife of retired Vice Adm. Jeff Fowler, had her initials welded onto a steel plate that will be permanently affixed to North Dakota's hull.

"Being chosen to be the sponsor of North Dakota has been a great joy of my life," said Fowler. "I am looking forward to a life-long relationship with my ship and its crew."

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ARLINGTON, Va. (NNS) -- To help Sailors defeat small boat threats and aerial targets without using bullets, the Office of Naval Research (ONR) wants to develop a solid-state laser weapon prototype that will demonstrate multi-mission capabilities aboard a Navy ship, officials announced May 8.

"We believe it's time to move forward with solid-state lasers and shift the focus from limited demonstrations to weapon prototype development and related technology advancement," said Peter Morrison, program officer of the Solid-State Laser Technology Maturation (SSL-TM) program.

ONR will host an industry day, May 16, to provide the research and development community with information about the program. A Broad Agency Announcement is expected to be released thereafter to solicit proposals and bids.

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WASHINGTON (NNS) -- Secretary of Defense Leon E. Panetta announced May 10 that the President has made the following nominations:
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Navy Capt. Robert P. Burke has been nominated for appointment to the rank of rear admiral (lower half). Burke is currently serving as director, Submarine/Nuclear Power Distribution Division, PERS 42, Naval Personnel Command, Millington, Tenn.
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Navy Capt. David J. Hahn has been nominated for appointment to the rank of rear admiral (lower half). Hahn is currently serving as major program manager, Submarine Combat and Weapons Control Systems, PMS-425, Program Executive Office for Submarines, Washington, D.C.
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Navy Capt. Charles A. Richard has been nominated for appointment to the rank of rear admiral (lower half). Richard is currently serving as chief of staff, U.S. Strategic Command, Special Activities Atlantic, Norfolk, Va.

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