#83) Latest News from Mark Derksen at Manassas

Following is an interesting report from Mark Derksen, Senior Staff Systems Engineer, on what's been happening recently in Manassas, VA. Mark's last report was published on April 13, 2011 (See Blog Post #23 - Click Here). Note, at the end of his e-mail below, Mark has included a link to a 17 minute Royal Canadian Navy video featuring an HMCS Victoria Class Submarine with Librascope's FCS installed.

Hi Carl,

There are still a few of the “remnant of Librascope” left here in Manassas. They still count our years of service based on our hire date at Librascope. Grant Corcoran retired at the end of last year. Those that are left (that I can think of anyway) are:

Kevin Kofler
Brent Derksen
Scott Maurer
Nick Thomas
Steve Mitchell
Mark Derksen

Based on age, my brother Brent will likely be the “last man standing” from Librascope.

As far as the Librascope legacy CBRN (formerly NBC) business area goes, at the end of last year we delivered 19 “Able Sentry” systems (a derivative of the original BAWS system) to Japan consisting of 190 Remote Sensors and 19 Base Stations. This makes a total of 46 BAWS-type systems delivered to Japan since 2006 under 8 separate contracts. There is now talk of back fitting the earlier systems to be the same as the latest systems.

Regarding the Librascope legacy International Submarine area, we delivered new Combat Systems (Weapons and Sonar) to Brazil for their German 209 submarines and successfully fired U.S. built torpedoes on two separate exercises. We also delivered systems (Weapons and Sonar) to the Spanish Navy for their new S80 class submarines. I was the lead SE for the Weapons portion and they are shooting a German built torpedo. I had a great time traveling to Spain, Germany and UK on this program. We also continue to supply the Canadian Navy with updated systems for their Victoria class submarines and recently had a successful warshot firing in Hawaii.

Mark

PS Below is a link to a video produced by the Canadian government regarding the SINKEX exercise as part of RIMPAC12 in Hawaii. The focus is on the Victoria class submarine with our Fire Control System installed. In the video you can see our consoles and displays with the screens fuzzed out. Some may recognize the TMA screens that utilize Harold Klein’s algorithms. Starting at about 13:31 into the video you will be able to see my brother, Brent, standing behind the weapons operators with a clipboard. Feel free to post this video link since it is in the public domain mostly as PR to the Canadian public.

http://vimeo.com/54048119

#75) In Memoriam - Harold Klein

Harold and Dora Klein at the 2006 Librascope Reunion

Dora Klein, Harold Klein’s wife called Ray Hand on Saturday, September 1 with the news that Harold had passed away quietly in his sleep the night before.  Harold had been in good health until very recently when he was diagnosed with a very aggressive cancer.  Ray talked to Harold’s daughter-in-law and offered to inform Harold’s many Libravet friends.  She expressed her appreciation, and said that final arrangements for Harold had not yet been finalized.

Harold had a long successful career at Librascope from the 1960’s through 1990’s and beyond.  In the 1960’s he was Program Manager for the NUWS Laboratory for analyzing torpedo test data from the Librascope designed Digital Data Acquisition System.  In the 1990‘s he was Manager of Advanced Concepts Development and played a leadership role in the design of combat systems for the Australian, Canadian, and Indian navies.  After retirement he was continually asked to consult on navy combat systems designs by Lockheed Martin - Manassas.

The following tributes to Harold have been received from Librascope management.

Harold was an excellent contributor during his many years with Librascope. He had a broad technical background and always was impressive in dealing with customers.
Walt Picker, President

Harold was a systems  authority in the ASW area and was well thought of by our NAVY and the other Navies in the world with whom we had contact and contracts. I found him an easy and caring person to talk with..and he will be missed. 
Jerry Deitz, Vice President - Engineering