Frank Herr, Ph.D.Head, Ocean Battlespace Sensing Department
Dr. Herr is the Head of the Office of Naval Research (ONR) Ocean Battlespace Sensing Department – one of six science and technology departments at ONR. He has been in this position since 2001. The Ocean Battlespace Department is responsible for the Navy’s and Marine Corps’s S&T in ocean and meteorological science, undersea warfare, mine warfare, space technology, and marine mammals. It is comprised of two divisions and 14 programs spanning sensing, systems, and geophysical processes and prediction. The department also has built and cares for 6 oceanographic research vessels. Dr. Herr’s department is comprised of two senior executives, 39 professional scientists and engineers, 4 senior military officers, and 26 support staff. The department’s budget is $310million/yr. From 1996 to 2001, Dr. Herr was Director, Sensing and Systems Division within ONR. His division’s work spanned undersea warfare, mine warfare, and space technology. The division’s budget was $140M/yr. Dr. Herr currently is the U.S. National Representative for the Maritime Systems Group of The Technical Cooperation Program (TTCP) coordinating technology among US, UK, CAN, AUS, and NZ. Dr. Herr was appointed to the Senior Executive Service in August, 1998.
Dr. Herr joined federal service in 1977 as a research chemist at the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) conducted research until 1982 when he joined ONR. Dr. Herr became the Program Manager for Remote Sensing in 1988. From 1992 to 1994 Dr. Herr served on the staff of ADM Frank B. Kelso, Chief of Naval Operations, as Assistant for Science and Technology to the CNO Executive Panel, N00K. While at N00K.
Dr. Herr is a graduate of Hamilton College, Clinton, NY, with a bachelor’s of arts degree. He also holds a PhD. from the University of Maryland, College Park, MD. Dr. Herr was a National Research Council post-doctoral research associate. Dr. Herr is the author of 22 scientific and technical publications.
Dr. Herr received the Department of the Navy Superior Civilian Service Award in 1994 and again in 2008. In 2005 he received a Presidential Rank Award for Meritorious Executives. In 1981, Dr. Herr received the NRL Research Publication Award.