U.S. ARMY WATERVLIET ARSENAL SALV Since 1813 “Service to the Line, On the Line, On Time” Vol. 08, No. 5 U.S. Army Watervliet Arsenal, Watervliet, NY (www.wva.army.mil) Dec. 31, 2008

Arsenal Briefs

Body Forge

Have you thought about your New Year’s resolu- tion? If so, for only $10 you can have unlimited use of the remodeled Body Forge facility. Please call Kyle at 266-4829 for more information.

Office/Shop Inspection

Now that your attention has been captured, Col. Scott N. Fletcher will conduct a “holiday” walkthrough of the Arsenal on 22 Dec. beginning at 8 a.m. So, Mike Ippolito, this is an early warning for you to hide your comic books.

Holiday Decorations

Not to be the Scrooge of Watervliet, but all holiday The electormagnetic gun concept was the cover story in the 1932 Modern Mechanics magazine. decorations need to be tak- en down by 5 Jan., unless you are John Hockenbury Benét, Arsenal Electrify Old Concept when everyday is a holi- By John B. Snyder gun system that will once again but also will increase the day. change the history of warfare destructive power and accuracy The Chinese are widely - maybe for the next thousand of lighter munitions. And, a Arsenal Town Hall known to have discovered years. weapon system that will also gunpowder more than 1100 Imagine a weapon system improve Soldier survivability that eliminates the logistical on the battlefield by reducing Col. Scott N. Fletcher will years ago, an event that radically requirements of resupplying the enemy’s ability to acquire conduct his first Arsenal changed warfare from what was powder propellant to artillery, his firing position. Town Hall on 13 Jan., a very personal, hand-to-hand engagement to a beyond-the- tank, mortar, and navy gun The weapon system is an 1-3 p.m., building 110. horizon contest between armies. systems. A weapon system that electromagnetic railgun. You may submit questions But for the last 25 years, the will launch a lighter projectile An electromagnetic gun or issues for discussion U.S. Army Benét Laboratories in excess of seven times the consists of two parallel rails to Linda Shaw, command at the Watervliet Arsenal has speed of sound, which will group, not later than 8 Jan. been quietly working on a new not only increase the range, Please see railgun on page 3 Page 2 Arsenal-Salvo Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2008

Commander’s Corner

As another year draws to a I ask you to close, I want to thank you for take a minute your sense of duty supporting to assess where our nation’s warfighters. you are. Reflecting on what we have achieved this past year as an Throughout organization and as a team, is the United States, there is moment to put on safety gloves nothing short of phenomenal. tremendous concern about the to reduce accidents. And, being livelihood of millions as our better may mean that we make America has now been at war nation’s unemployment rate one more weld on a base plate for seven years in Afghanistan continues to climb. In fact, as before we go home for the day. and nearly six years in Iraq. I am writing this column, two From scientist to machinist, local manufacturing companies I ask you to take a look at how each member of the Arsenal have or will soon layoff more you can be better today than you workforce has significantly than 400 employees. were yesterday. contributed to the war effort. We should not accept or get You are a tremendous Whether it was designing an comfortable by the fact that the workforce who has helped make air conditioning unit for tankers Arsenal’s business is currently America safer. Take care of each or manufacturing new cannons doing well. other, so that we can make the for artillerymen, your efforts Arsenal safer, too. I am proud to have directly improved the As good as we are, we must serve with you and wish you the lethality and more importantly, strive to do better. Being better very best for a safe and joyous the survivability of our Soldiers. may mean that we shutoff lights holiday season and New Year. Simply, well done! and other electrical equipment to reduce our base operations Traditionally, entry into the expense. Being better may Scott N. Fletcher New Year is a time of reflection. mean that we take an extra Commanding “Forging On”

Commander, Col. Scott N. Fletcher The Arsenal Salvo is an authorized monthly publication for members of the Department Public Affairs Officer, John B. Snyder of Defense. Contents of the Watervliet Salvo are not necessarily the official views of, or Editor, John B. Snyder endorsed by, the U.S. government, the Department of Defense, or the Department of the Photographer, Billy Martin Army. News may be submitted to the Arsenal Salvo for publication by sending articles to Public Affairs Officer, 1 Buffington Street, Bldg. 10, Watervliet, NY 12189, or stop by office #102, Since 1813 building 10, Watervliet Arsenal. The editor may also be reached at (518) 266-5055 or by e-mail: [email protected]. The editor reserves the right to edit all information submitted for publication. Page 3 Arsenal-Salvo Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2008 Railgun from page 1 that launch a projectile using high-powered electrical pulses, versus, traditional gunpowder-type propellants. When a projectile is inserted into the breach, it completes a circuit. According to Robert J. Mysliwiec, Benét team leader for the Electromagnetic Railgun Program, the railgun uses electrical currents to generate very large magnetic forces to propel a projectile through a cannon at speeds up to 1.5 miles-per-second, which is nearly three times the velocity of today’s 155mm artillery systems. “We are at a point now in our research and development that we are able to move out of the laboratory and into the field to test fire an electromagnetic gun system,” Photo by Benét. said Mysliwiec. “We successfully test L-R, Tom Oathout, Andrew Littlefield, Bob Mysliwiec, and Joshua Root with 4-m gun at Benét. fired the railgun at Yuma Proving Ground in May 2007, August 2008, and will again unlike the Abrams tank tube. Although 4-meter railgun for test firing at the Yuma in the near future at Yuma, but at a much using carbon fiber wrap is not a new Proving Ground. higher electromagnetic pulse to test the technology, the process for the way the Some may consider this technology ultimate performance of the railgun,” tape is applied was new. to be revolutionary and something out of added Mysliwiec. “By increasing the tension of the carbon space science. But French inventor Louis Mysliwiec added that although Benét is fiber wrap from 60 lbs to 250 lbs and by Octave Fauchon-Villeplee invented an not the only military weapon research center electric cannon in 1918, and was issued a in the world to develop an electromagnetic curing the tape with hot nitrogen gas, we US patent for this gun system in 1922. gun. It is, however, the first research and were able to strengthen the railgun structure And in 1932, Modern Mechanics design facility to successfully fire one that to withstand extremely high repulsive magazine ran a one-page story about an looks and feels like a weapon as opposed to pressures while achieving a significant electric cannon with a lead paragraph a laboratory experiment. reduction in gun tube weight compared to proclaiming, “Silent guns sending their With an increased electrical charge, there today’s cannon systems,” said Littlefield. whistling messengers of death into the sky will be a demonstrated, if not dramatic, It is one thing for Benét to design a new at speeds far beyond those now attained by increase in the velocity of the projectile. weapon system, but all is for naught if no powder-driven shells seem likely for the Increased velocity increases range, as well one can manufacture the gun. next war, using for propulsion magnetic as the power of impact, kinetic energy, of a Jack Henry is the electromagnetic fields so powerful that when they are round when it hits a target. gun program manager at the Watervliet short-circuited they produce miniature According to Eric Kathe, Ph.D., who Arsenal production facility, which is the earthquakes.” has been on the Benét Electromagnetic manufacturer of military hardware for Railgun team for nearly 20 years, the tank, artillery and mortar systems for the Benét, RAVEN Award U.S. Army. Because Benét is collocated railgun program had significant challenges “Rarefaction Wave Gun Tank Main to overcome. with the Arsenal, Henry works about 10 “The magnetic forces that act to propel minutes away from Benét and he is not Armament Demonstrator” authored a projectile through a railgun apply a long on small talk. by Dr. Eric Kathe, Mr. Kevin Miner, substantial pressure that pushes the rails When asked what gave him faith that and Dr. Robert Dillon was voted best apart. Therefore, the railgun housing must this futuristic gun would see success paper in the Lethality Technologies be a robust structure to contain the rails,” when earlier attempts at developing an category at the 26th Army Science said Kathe. electromagnetic gun have failed, he said, Conference. Rarefaction waVe “The major challenge was how to build “The difference is that Benét Laboratories designed this gun.” guN (RAVEN) propulsion is a a railgun system that would not be too widely acclaimed method to impart massive of a structure or too heavy to fit In addition to the challenges experienced by designers at Benét, Henry said there maximum energy into a projectile on future combat systems,” said Kathe. while endowing the launcher with the In essence, Benét could easily design an were significant production challenges to electromagnetic railgun, but if the system, overcome, too. least recoil momentum and thermal including the power supply, was too large “Because the electromagnetic gun uses heating. It was originally conceived to fit on future combat platforms or too a tougher type of materiel than is used in 1999 to meet the ambitious lethality heavy for rapid deployment, then the gun for the standard production of artillery and strategic deployability objectives would be of no use to the Army. cannons, we had to invest in new tools that of the future combat systems (FCS) To help solve the weight and size would allow us to machine a tube without to drive off a C130 transport ready problem, Kathe turned to two of his fellow creating a lot of heat,” said Henry. Too for combat. This paper presents the co-workers at Benét, Andrew Littlefield, much heat during the machining process experimental results of a brass-board Ph.D., and Joshua Root. has the potential to warp the tube during tank main armament demonstration Littlefield and Root had been the manufacturing process, added Henry. system based upon RAVEN propulsion. experimenting with a thermoplastic Nevertheless, Henry said that his composite tape for another weapon system workers in prototype development have This technology profoundly alters the with great success, a 120mm cannon not successfully manufactured a 2-meter and system integration options for guns. Page 4 Arsenal-Salvo Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2008 During your holidays, please do not forget about our customers.

TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS, HE LIVED ALL ALONE, IN A ONE BEDROOM HOUSE I REALIZED THE FAMILIES MADE OF PLASTER AND STONE. THAT I SAW THIS NIGHT, OWED THEIR LIVES TO THESE I HAD COME DOWN THE SOLDIERS CHIMNEY WHO WERE WILLING TO FIGHT. WITH PRESENTS TO GIVE, AND TO SEE JUST WHO SOON ROUND THE WORLD, IN THIS HOME DID LIVE. THE CHILDREN WOULD PLAY,

I LOOKED ALL ABOUT, AND GROWN UPS WOULD A STRANGE SIGHT I DID SEE, CELEBRATE NO TINSEL, NO PRESENTS, A BRIGHT CHRISTMAS DAY. NOT EVEN A TREE. THEY ALL ENJOYED FREEDOM NO STOCKING BY MANTLE, EACH MONTH OF THE YEAR, JUST BOOTS FILLED WITH SAND, BECAUSE OF THE SOLDIERS, I KEPT WATCH FOR HOURS, ON THE WALL HUNG PICTURES LIKE THE ONE LYING HERE. SO SILENT AND STILL OF FAR DISTANT LANDS. AND WE BOTH SHIVERED I COULDN’T HELP WONDER WITH MEDALS AND BADGES, FROM THE COLD NIGHT’S HOW MANY LAY ALONE, AWARDS OF ALL KINDS, CHILL. A SOBER THOUGHT ON A COLD CHRISTMAS EVE CAME THROUGH MY MIND. IN A LAND FAR FROM HOME. I DIDN’T WANT TO LEAVE ON THAT COLD, DARK, NIGHT, FOR THIS HOUSE WAS DIFFERENT, THE VERY THOUGHT THIS GUARDIAN OF HONOR IT WAS DARK AND DREARY, BROUGHT A TEAR TO MY EYE, SO WILLING TO FIGHT. I FOUND THE HOME OF A I DROPPED TO MY KNEES SOLDIER, AND STARTED TO CRY. THEN THE SOLDIER ROLLED ONCE I COULD SEE CLEARLY. OVER,

THE SOLDIER AWAKENED WITH A VOICE SOFT AND PURE, THE SOLDIER LAY SLEEPING, AND I HEARD A ROUGH VOICE, SILENT, ALONE, WHISPERED, “CARRY ON SANTA, “SANTA DON’T CRY, CURLED UP ON THE FLOOR IT’S CHRISTMAS DAY, ALL IS IN THIS ONE BEDROOM HOME. THIS LIFE IS MY CHOICE; SECURE.”

THE FACE WAS SO GENTLE, I FIGHT FOR FREEDOM, ONE LOOK AT MY WATCH, THE ROOM IN SUCH DISORDER, I DON’T ASK FOR MORE, AND I KNEW HE WAS RIGHT. NOT HOW I PICTURED MY LIFE IS MY GOD, “MERRY CHRISTMAS MY A UNITED STATES SOLDIER. MY COUNTRY, MY CORPS.” FRIEND, AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT.” WAS THIS THE HERO THE SOLDIER ROLLED OVER OF WHOM I’D JUST READ? AND DRIFTED TO SLEEP, CURLED UP ON A PONCHO, I COULDN’T CONTROL IT, THE FLOOR FOR A BED? I CONTINUED TO WEEP. Anonymous Page 5 Arsenal-Salvo Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2008 Arsenal workforce to become...thinner

By John B. Snyder

The Arsenal’s information technology folks have a New Year’s resolution and it means getting all of us thin. No, this isn’t some new health kick or an attempt to make us workout everyday in the gym. Because we know that ain’t going to happen. Nevertheless, Bob Davis, acting director of information management at the Arsenal, said that without causing a lot of sweat, a drop in a Wikimedia - Raysonho dress size, or the tightening of the An example of what the total Thin Client package may look like after we turn in our desktops. belt, he will magically make us thin workstation. If there is any trouble command is more than $50,000 to with technology. with the push, the IT crew often replace outdated desktop computers. Davis said that within the next goes to each individual user to try Now, the thin client system, which few months, 175 desktop computers to resolve. cost the command about $500 versus that you have grown to love, unless $1200 for a desktop, will always your computer works like mine, have the most current operating will be replaced by what is called system and software because only a Hewlett-Packard “Thin Client” the servers will need to be upgraded device. This thin device and server every few years. system is a small, low-powered Finally, many of us want to device that will dramatically reduce “go green” to reduce our carbon information management costs for footprint. In essence, reduce the the command. impact our daily activities have A thin client computer relies on the environment, while others on a remote server for processing simply want to reduce their high actions and the storage of software energy costs. Well, that is another and data. The only software loaded great advantage of the thin client. on the client computer is the user Because of the much smaller interface, user applications, and an size and low operating requirements operating system. So, the bottom Wikimedia - Vidarlo when compared to a desktop, the line is that all the heavy work will Remote servers, such as above, will support thin client should dramatically several Thin Client computer systems. be done by the servers, versus, the reduce the command’s utility bill. individual desktop systems that we According to the Hewlett- currently use. No more DVD or CD Now, all upgrades and security patches can be sent to just a few Packard web site, the thin client’s slots. total cost of ownership will be: The advantages to the command servers and immediately, our client are significant, Davis said. As you computers are upgraded. may recall, every time there is a Another significant cost savings 80% less maintenance per year security patch or software upgrade to comes from replacing obsolete 25% capital cost savings our current system, those upgrades desktop systems every five years. 34% less maintenance must be “pushed” to each individual The annual upgrade cost to the 23% less to operate Page 6 Arsenal-Salvo Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2008 Arsenal Press Conference Army announces its selec- tion of the Arsenal Business & Technology Partnership as potential land developer

Sen. Schumer raises Rep. McNulty’s hand to celebrate Army decision.

Arsenal Commander Col. Fletcher welcomes Sen. Schumer to event. Tony Gaetano, president of the Arsenal Business & Technology Partnership, second from right, anticipates the announcement. By John B. Snyder listened to our case and ultimately found a solution that The Department of the Army announced at the Watervliet we all think will be a tremendous benefit,” said McNulty. Arsenal, 7 Dec., the selection of a business development McNulty also praised the arsenal commander, COL. group that has the potential to transform up to 60 acres of Scott N. Fletcher, for “making this wonderful thing Arsenal property for private development. Bill Birney, deputy assistant Secretary of the Army for happen.” Installation and Housing, said the Arsenal Business and “What does this mean…the Arsenal is here to stay,” Technology Partnership was the winning development McNulty ended. team selected to lease, transform and operate an energy According to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, co-generation facility, a data center, and an office for which has oversight for the Enhanced Use Leasing (EUL) nanotechnology research and development on the program, the development team, together with the Army Arsenal. and the Arsenal, will develop a Lease and Management Birney explained the lease will create a win-win Plan compatible with the installation’s goals and environment for the installation, the Army, and for the objectives. local community. As lease consideration, the Arsenal will receive in-kind U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) said, “During these services for the maintenance, repair and improvement of tough economic times, winning such a major investment that will spur hundreds of new, good-paying jobs is just installation facilities that enhance its mission. Enhanced what the doctor ordered.” Use Leases are typically signed for a period of 50 years. “Securing this lease for the local development In addition, the project will provide employment and tax corporation will allow the Capital Region to expand its revenue to the local community, according to a Corps of high-tech growth and make sure we have a lean, mean Engineer press release. core cannon mission,” added Schumer. “The Army has brought us a present,” proclaimed Rep. Michael McNulty (D-N.Y.) praised Secretary of Schumer. the Army, Pete Geren, due to Geren’s efforts to open up In addition to Schumer and McNulty, New York Arsenal property for civilian use. “I have known Pete Assemblyman Ron Canestrari and City of Watervliet Mayor Geren for 20 years. He has always been an outstanding Michael Manning also spoke and praised the selection of public servant and someone who really takes time and the Arsenal Business & Technology Partnership as the effort to solving tough problems. This was not easy developer who has the potential to create hundreds of new to rectify, but he saw to it that everybody on his team jobs for the Capital District. Page 7 Arsenal-Salvo Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2008

It is easy to imagine today’s Soldier and family member in this 1863 Harper’s Weekly Magazine sketch, above, titled “Christmas Eve.” The sketch to the right is also from a 1863 Harper’s Weekly Magazine and it is titled, “Santa Claus in Camp.” Far From America, But Not Far From Home By Russell Brinthaupt it conjured memories of home, but it also the battle intensified and Christmas came broke up the monotony of camp life. closer, Soldiers, again on both sides of War and Christmas are two events Soldiers on both sides would decorate the conflict, tried to keep Christmas alive. that should not go together; unfortunately Christmas trees for the camp, receive gifts Carols were sung in the field, across the they will this holiday season as they have from home and exchange gifts among their battle lines, in hospitals, and even in POW for hundreds of years. Nevertheless, the friends. Singing Christmas carols in camp camps. Christmas spirit somehow finds a way to was popular, and sometimes both sides Even through all the chaos, Christmas packages made their way to men at the shine through the horrors of battle and for would sing them together. front, which gave them a much needed at least a moment, thoughts turn to goodwill During World War II, young men morale boost. For the most part, Christmas towards man. found themselves in places they could not dinners would consist of K-rations, candy During the American Civil War, the even pronounce, let alone spell, during the holidays. As in previous conflicts, bars, and anything that could be found or traditions of what we consider a modern that came from home. For lucky Soldiers in Christmas took shape in the military. Many American Soldiers thought of home, family, and tradition during the holiday season. Patton’s Third Army, the general personally of the carols that we hear today on the made sure that every division received a hot radio or sing at parties were around during The Christmas of 1944,was quite possible the worst for our Soldiers in Europe. On turkey dinner for Christmas Day in 1944. the Civil War, such as “Deck the Halls and No matter the war or moment in time, December 16th, the German Army launched Silent Night.” American Soldiers will always find a way its last offensive in the west and all hopes Cutting down evergreen trees and to celebrate family, home, and tradition of a restful Christmas where destroyed by decorating them, as well as the act of during the holiday season. Even when they clanking Panzer tanks and busting artillery exchanging gifts, had also become very are forced to fight on a day that represents shells. Although the Battle of the Bulge popular by the 1860s. Today’s concept everything peaceful, Soldiers will find time of Santa Claus became popular after 1823 disrupted the plans of Allied soldiers, one to keep the holiday spirit alive and well on when Clement Clarke Moore’s poem, “A of which was a football game between the the battlefield. Night Before Christmas,” was published 502nd and 506th Regiments of the 101st As you read this article in the comfort in the December 23rd edition of the New Airborne Division on Christmas Day, they of your office or home, remember that were able to salvage a small portion of the York Sentinel in Troy. somewhere in Iraq and Afghanistan are Christmas spirit. These holiday traditions often followed American Soldiers who are patrolling When Soldiers were in a spot long the men and women into camp on both sides dusty roads, building new schools, or enough, they would cut down an evergreen providing clean water to communities that of the war. During the Civil War, armies for a Christmas tree and decorate it with have never had such a luxury. They do this would sometimes settle into permanent whatever they had available such as small not knowing if they will safely return to quarters during winter until the beginning strips of aluminum that were used to jam their camp at the end of today’s mission. of the spring campaign season. Christmas enemy radar, paper cut outs, and pineapple But what they do know… this is their duty. was looked forward to not only because grenades, when they could be spared. As After all, they are American Soldiers. Page 8 Arsenal-Salvo Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2008

Shoveling snow can be good exercise when performed correctly. It can also be harmful when people try to take on more than they can handle. During this winter season please take so time to shovel the SAFE way.

Here are some tips to keep in mind before you go outside to shovel:

If you are inactive and have a history of heart trouble, talk to your doctor before you shovel

Drink plenty of water. Dehydration is just as important in cold winter months as it is in the summer

Dress warmly. Dress in several layers so you can remove a layer as needed

Do not shovel while eating or smoking. Avoid caffeine or nicotine before you begin shoveling. This may place extra stress on the heart.

Warm up your muscles in your arms and legs. Walk for a few minutes and stretch your arms and legs before shoveling. Warm muscles are less likely to be injured and work more efficiently

Take it slow! Pace yourself and take breaks

Don’t pick up too much snow at once. Use a small shovel, or fill it only one-fourth to one-half if you use a large shovel.

Push the snow as you shovel. It is easier on your back

Protect your back. Bend from the knees, not your back. Lift with your legs bent, stand with your feet about hip width for balance and keep the shovel close to your body. Try not to twist. If you need to move the snow to one side move your feet to face the direction the snow will be going.

Most importantly – listen to your body! Stop if you feel very tired. Stop if you feel tightness in your chest. Safety Slogan Challenge The Commander and the Safety Of- the author of the slogan. If you have any questions, contact Sal- fice, along with the Voluntary Protection We hope this will get everyone think- ly D’Agostino, Safety Manager, at 5633. Program (VPP) Committee, are looking ing about your own personal safety and You can submit the slogan through email for new WVA safety slogans. We would will give you a chance to participate in to [email protected]. Please like to pick out 12 new slogans to start off our Safety Program. The slogans should put in the subject line Safety Slogan. the New Year. If your slogan is selected, only be a sentence or two. Some examples of past slogans in- it will be featured for a month on all of So, think hard about a safety slogan clude: our safety publications. You will receive that will have meaning to you and your 1. Some accidents last a lifetime. special recognition from Col. Fletcher and co-workers, one that will encourage 2. Target safety. you will be identified to the workforce as safety and health in our workplace. 3. We Aim for ZERO Accidents. Page 9 Arsenal-Salvo Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2008

It has been a busy three months... Page 10 Arsenal-Salvo Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2008

Holidays at the Arsenal