James J. Genova

Dr. James J. Genova has a PhD in theoretical particle physics with a math minor. He began his career as a Systems Test Engineer, and continued as a research scientist and project manager on various Anti-Submarine Warfare projects. He participated in the development of the Wide Band Ambiguity function; the first successful application of coherent digital signal processing (DSP) to ocean acoustic data. Dr. Genova then developed coherent DSP for various unstable acoustic signals.

Next Dr. Genova was project manager for a program investigating the application of feedback control to shipboard EW. He quickly realized that the significant benefits to be realized from adaptive EW depend on innovative DSP being successfully applied to EW signals. This was the beginning of more than a 12-year study of Anti-Ship Missiles (ASM), shipboard EW DSP, and various EA techniques. In particular, he is an internationally recognized expert in dual coherent source EA and monopulse radar deception. This research culminated in an Advanced Technology Demonstration conducted on a USN ship in 1990.

In 2002 he joined the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) EW Division as a Staff Scientist. He proposed and conducted several NRL R&D projects including the application of STAP to naval ASM seeker processing, an innovative DSP technique for on-board naval EA effectiveness assessment, and an ONR project which successfully transitioned to a Future Naval Capability Program. During his tenure he won three consecutive awards for best Formal Report of the year.

At NRL Dr. Genova’s primary task was to implement the USN’s first several coherent radar ASM seeker hardware simulators. These have now been used for research and testing (hardware in the loop chamber tests and captive carry tests) for 10+ years. Dr. Genova personally conducted and supported many tests over these years including the testing at each RIMPAC exercise. Through this work he developed an internationally recognized expertise in coherent radar ASM seekers.

Among his other accomplishments Dr. Genova also attained a patent on the use of DSP to convert furniture, e.g. a chair or bed, into a medical sensor, he developed and tested the application of audible microwaves to mitigate aircraft bird strikes, and he developed the concept of a robotic flagman for subway maintenance support. Dr. Genova is retired and living near Greensboro, NC. He fills his time reading and continuing his lifelong pursuit of amateur astronomy.