ARLINGTON, Va.—Today, at the Naval Future Force Science and Technology Expo, Chief of Naval Research (CNR) Rear Adm. David J. Hahn publicly unveiled the new strategic direction—a Framework— for the U.S. Navy’s continuum of research and development.
“This new Framework reflects a change in thinking about how all of us in naval research must work together to accelerate capabilities to the warfighter,” said Hahn. “It outlines how we align research to naval priorities, allocate our investment portfolios and accelerate decision-making to speed business execution.”
As adversaries move quickly to advance their technological capabilities, Hahn’s vision supports Chief of Naval Operations Adm. John Richardson, who will speak at the Expo on Jul. 21. Richardson has said the pace of technology development and delivery in the Navy and Marine Corps must speed up in order to maintain maritime superiority for U.S. naval warfighters.
Held Jul. 20-21 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C., the Expo is the premier science and technology event for the Navy and Marine Corps, and convenes every two years. Attendees have access to senior Navy and Marine Corps leadership and program officers to learn how to do business with ONR.
Details of the CNR’s guidance were shared with attendees via a new document on the way forward for naval research: “Naval Research and Development: A Framework for Accelerating to the Navy and Marine Corps after Next.” The document outlines processes for speeding new technologies from basic research into finished products, and into Sailor or Marine hands.
“We have a great opportunity to supercharge the engine of naval research,” said Hahn. “From discovery to deployment, innovative U.S. naval technology has been essential to mission success. We’re going to ensure that continues.”
Senior naval leaders see the new Framework as a way to bring together in new ways all the central players in naval research, including government labs, academia and industry.
Having those priorities, and involving innovators in the discussion earlier, will increase the likelihood that a business product will make it to the finish line—i.e., increase the chances that research will make it to full-scale production and, ultimately, to Sailors and Marines.
Meanwhile, members of the academic community were featured in the latest edition of Future Force magazine, focusing on the importance of basic research.
The Framework for the first time represents a shift to a full-spectrum view of research, development and acquisition for the naval future force.
Watch a new video of Rear Adm. Hahn discussing the role of naval research in maintaining America's maritime superiority.
The Expo is co-sponsored by the American Society of Naval Engineers—the leading society for engineers, scientists and other professionals who design, develop, test and maintain naval and maritime ships, submarines and aircraft, and their associated systems and subsystems. For the latest information and speaker confirmations, visit /expo.
Warren Duffie Jr. is a contractor for ONR Corporate Strategic Communications.
Check Out the 2017 Naval Future Force S&T Expo!
Registration is now open for the 2017 Naval Future Force Science and Technology Expo, co-sponsored by the Office of Naval Research and American Society of Naval Engineers. Scheduled for Jul. 20-21, the Expo is the Navy’s premier event to share information; discuss research opportunities; and build science and technology partnerships between the Navy and Marine Corps, industry and academia.