WASHINGTON, Oct. 13 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R41129) on Sept. 30, 2024, entitled "Navy Columbia Class Ballistic Missile Submarine Program: Background and Issues for Congress" by naval affairs specialist Ronald O'Rourke. Here are excerpts: * * * Summary The Navy's Columbia (SSBN-826) class ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) program is a program to design and build a class of 12 new SSBNs to replace the Navy's current force of 14 aging Ohi  more

WASHINGTON, Oct. 13 -- Optica, formerly the Optical Society, issued the following news release: * * * Nolan brings forward-looking leadership and more than a decade of strategic expertise to new role at society focused on optics and photonics * * * Optica's Board of Directors announced today that Elizabeth Nolan will become its new Chief Executive Officer, overseeing the organization's growth strategy, future direction and myriad programs and services. With a robust background in publishin  more

BLACKSBURG, Virginia, Oct. 13 -- Virginia Tech issued the following news: Bernard Jortner, a Virginia Tech professor emeritus who was an internationally known researcher in neurotoxicology and founding president of the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine faculty association, died on Sept. 28 at the age of 90. Jortner was a professor of biomedical sciences and pathobiology in the veterinary college before being conferred emeritus status upon his retirement in 2010. He had been asso  more