Enduring Advantages: NSWCPD Building Defense Ecosystem with … – DVIDS

Scientists and Engineers from the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Philadelphia Division (NSWCPD) gathered with university partners at the Courtyard by Marriott Philadelphia South at The Navy Yard on Sept. 27, 2023 to pursue active engagements with existing Educational Partnership Agreements (EPA) and create new relationships with local universities through new collaboration agreements.

Among the goals of this inaugural event were to increase awareness of current technologies and ongoing research at universities that would be applicable for Navy capabilities, as well as to create an active network for future initiatives and to facilitate opportunities for engagement between NSWCPD and universities.

Attendees included Rowan University, Drexel University, Temple University, Jefferson University, National Security Innovation Network (NSIN), NSWCPD, and Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD) Lakehurst.

NSWCPD Senior Science and Technology Manager & Director of Research, Development (R&D), Test and Engineering Sean Brennan kicked off the event.

Serving as the event’s keynote speaker, Brennan referred to the National Defense Strategy (NDS) and emphasized the need for continuous collaboration.

“The NDS highlights, in simple terms, four priorities: Defend the homeland, deter threats, deter aggression, build a resilient joint force and defense ecosystem,” he said, tying how NSWCPD plays a critical role, “Personnel at NSWCPD are enabling our ships to get to the fight, outfit them to bring lethal and effective power and repair them when necessary and provide cutting edge capabilities to our sailors when they need them.”

“The NDS talks about how we advance priorities through actions that build enduring advantages. Enduring advantages is the key phrase. What are they? It’s everyone in this room,” Brennan said, adding, “It’s everyone as part of these universities. You are all part of the defense ecosystem. The Department of Defense (DoD), industry, private sector, and academic enterprises are what we are looking to tie in. You are the folks that the country is looking upon to sharpen the technical edge.”

“We are counting on you guys [universities] to come up with the really cool stuff and the fundamental research. This is where our partnership can really shine. Our folks are out on the ships every day. They’re working with the Sailors and they know how to make this stuff work at sea. You guys get the bright ideas and we will put them onto ships,” Brennan said.

NSWCPD Engineer and Liberty Tech Bridge Director Mike Lavery noted that the objective of the collaboration between the Liberty Tech Bridge and academia is to create more opportunities for engineers and academia to engage in conversation, which is needed in order to understand the research, technologies, and application so that the Navy can learn, plan for, and participate in the development of the solutions.

This participation will increase the likelihood of technology transfer and transition from a concept to a solution to the fleet. The Navy’s participation now will allow us to reach the goal of more rapidly delivering capabilities and solutions the Navy needs, according to Lavery.

NSWCPD’s Rosemary Shuman serves as the other Transaction Authority (OTA) and SUBSAFE contracts manager. Other Transaction (OT) Authority for Prototype Projects, which according to the slide brief, allows the DoD to “carry out prototype projects that are directly relevant to enhancing the mission effectiveness of military personnel and the supporting platforms, systems, components or materials proposed to be carried out by the DoD, or to improvement of platforms, systems, components, or materials in use by the armed forces.”

Shuman presented an overview of the Maritime Sustainment Technology Innovation Consortium (MSTIC), highlighting how MSTIC engages industry and academia to develop and mature technologies in the field of Maritime Sustainment that enhance the Navy’s mission effectiveness.

NSWCPD established MSTIC to focus on innovative sustainment solutions that effectively address current and future security threats in maritime environments. Members have access to opportunities focused on developing and maturing technologies in the field of Maritime Sustainment that enhance the Navy’s mission effectiveness. Similar to other DoD Small Businesses innovation programs, small businesses and universities can respond on their own or choose to partner to provide proposals to the MSTIC topics.

“MSTIC offers federally-funded research and business opportunities for small and large businesses, for-profit and not-for-profit entities, and academic organizations. It enables rapid research, access to innovative commercial solutions for defense requirements, and innovations from industry and academia,” Shuman said.

NSWCPD’s Chief Technology Officer Dr. E. Michael Golda concluded the event by providing closing remarks.

“We have a really good start, but need to continue the momentum. The Delaware Valley is rich with opportunities with its universities, faculty and students. We have the industry, we have the universities, and we have the engineering capabilities at NSWCPD, so we look forward to further developing these relationships,” Golda said.

The next event is scheduled for Nov. 2, 2023, with attendees and speakers from National Security Innovation Network (NSIN) and Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division (NSWC Crane).

The speakers from NSIN will provide information on programming that the government can use to fund University Research & Development. Both engineers and university representatives will be able to present areas of interest for collaboration.

The Liberty Tech Bridge’s mission is to facilitate strategic partnerships and foster activities between the U.S. Navy and industry, academia, as well as state and local governments in the region that accelerate the creativity and innovation, which improve the capability, capacity, and readiness of the Navy.

NSWCPD employs approximately 2,800 civilian engineers, scientists, technicians, and support personnel. The NSWCPD team does the research and development, test and evaluation, acquisition support, and in-service and logistics engineering for the non-nuclear machinery, ship machinery systems, and related equipment and material for Navy surface ships and submarines. NSWCPD is also the lead organization providing cybersecurity for all ship systems.