B61-12 compatible with F-15E Strike Eagle
In early March at Sandia’s Tonopah Test Range, two flight tests were part of a full-weapon system demonstration to verify that the refurbished B61-12 nuclear gravity bomb is compatible with the U.S. Air Force’s F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jet. The final compatibility test was a culmination of years of work that included ground testing and computer simulations as well as flight tests.
Ken Gillen earns lifetime achievement award
Sandia chemist Ken Gillen (retired) recently received the prestigious 2020 Melvin Mooney Distinguished Technology Award, in part for his contributions to Sandia’s polymer aging project. The award honors recipients for their “exceptional technical competence by making significant and repeated contributions to rubber technology.”
A day in the life at 70 + 1 — Sandia copes with COVID-19
Last year, we celebrated Sandia’s 70th birthday with pride, honoring the Labs’ response to seven decades of challenges. At the time, we had no idea of the dramatic world events that would be in store for us in year 71. Labs photojournalist Randy Montoya captures Sandians at work under the restrictions imposed by COVID-19.
EMS Environmental Excellence Awards
This April 22 marked the 50th anniversary of Earth Day. Though Sandians were unable to celebrate onsite, the Labs’ annual Environmental Management System Environmental Excellence Awards honored those who help to reduce ecological impacts, in the spirit of resource conservation and environmental protection.
Printing face shields for the front lines
Teens who learned to build 3D printers during a weeklong robotics camp at Sandia last year have used them to make more than 3,000 face shields that have been donated to medical professionals and first responders in New Mexico.
Pulling together while standing apart
When Sandia’s Albuquerque campus shifted predominantly to telework in consonance with the New Mexico governor’s stay-at-home order, it added a whole new level of complexity and pressure to Sandia's Mobile Guardian Transport project team. Faced with the challenge, they found new ways to work together while staying safe from COVID-19.
Eubank gate construction ahead of schedule
Crews working on the Eubank gate project have been taking advantage of light traffic to expedite the construction schedule.
Titanium imaging advances
Albuquerque-based Advanced Optical Technologies has worked with Sandia through the NMSBA to test and verify their patented Crystallographic Polarization-Classification Imaging process, which reduces time spent on metals characterization from hours to minutes. The new imaging process has applications in the aerospace, automotive, energy and medical industries and for 3D printing.
Long may you run
Friends and family of former Sandia mechanical engineer Larry Johnson, who turned 100 in April, say they have no doubt he’ll keep showing up like he has done in many areas throughout his life. Johnson retired at age 75 after 38 years at the Labs.
Excellence in action
Sandia’s Laboratory Operating System program honored three teams that demonstrated lean thinking and behavior, improved operations and saved the Labs time and money in fiscal year 2019. Labs Director James S. Peery, Deputy Labs Director Dori Ellis and Business Excellence Director Joan Tafoya honored the teams at a ceremony in February, highlighting their innovations and how the teams challenged the status quo.