Great Minds in STEM Recognition

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Role Model of the Week

Robert Hernandez Lead Systems Engineer, Torpedo Systems Department US Navy Featured: 02-13-2006

Driven by a passion for our national defense efforts, Robert Hernandez, the Lead Systems Engineer for the Torpedo Systems Department of the Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC) tirelessly works to ensure that the U.S Navy’s Fleet has the most advanced heavyweight torpedoes available and is constantly seeking to improve the capabilities of the current generation of torpedoes. As the Lead Systems Engineer, Hernandez has become one of the NUWC’s primary experts on heavyweight torpedo design and development. His work in upgrading the Mk 48 Advanced Capability (ADCAP) Heavyweight Torpedo is one of his noteworthy accomplishments. The ADCAP torpedo is a key multi-mission underwater weapon, capable of performing both antisubmarine and antisurface ship roles and is regarded as one of the “workhorses" of the U.S Navy Fleet. Currently, Hernandez is the Lead Design Engineer for the Common Broadband Sonar System (CBASS) project, which is a modification for the Mk 48 ADCAP torpedo. He is developing a fully digital wideband sonar capability which will enable to torpedo to effectively counter diesel electric submarines operating in the littoral and deep water environments. This will allow the torpedo to identify torpedo countermeasures and discriminate them from the target. Hernandez resides in Newport, Rhode Island with his wife Debra. He received his Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Polytechnic University in Brooklyn, New York. He is a member of Eta Kappa Nu Honor Society.