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Home : Media : News
NEWS | July 21, 2021

NSWC Crane holds biannual Triad Nuclear and Advanced Conventional Strike Symposium

By Sarah K. Miller, NSWC Crane Corporate Communications

Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division (NSWC Crane) hosted the 21st Nuclear Triad Symposium in collaboration with the Mitchell Institute at Westgate Academy in Odon, Indiana on Wednesday, July 7. The 21st Nuclear Triad Symposium was a hybrid in-person and online event to maintain flexibility for guests.

Monica Hutchins, the Chief Strategist for Strategic Missions at NSWC Crane, says Crane’s support to the Nuclear Triad is indispensable.

“NSWC Crane has supported Strategic Systems Programs (SSP) for more than 60 years, the Air Force for more than 40 years, and has had a vital role with nuclear modernization programs,” says Hutchins. “As the Navy’s primary organic field activity for full spectrum life cycle management including hardware, ordnance and power systems, NSWC Crane applies the distinct capabilities inherent in its people and facilities to assure 100% operational readiness of strategic missile systems.”

Hutchins says the expertise at Crane is known nationally.

“NSWC Crane is a national leader in trusted and radiation hardened microelectronics, and provides increasing levels of support across engineering, acquisition, and flight test support to National Hypersonics Initiatives,” says Hutchins. “NSWC Crane hosts the OSD Joint Hypersonic Transition Office (JHTO) Systems Engineering Field Activity (SEFA), with JHTO’s mission to accelerate hypersonics technology development to enable the systems the warfighter needs through an integrated S&T strategy, allied and university engagement, and collaboration. The SEFA supports this mission by providing systems engineering, facilitated integration with programs, and workforce development efforts.”

The event featured NSWC Crane's collaboration with the U.S. Navy, Air Force, Missile Defense Agency (MDA), U.S. Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM), Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD), universities in Indiana, and industry to pursue strategic nuclear modernization and other key conventional strike technological requirements.

Speakers included senior level military, university, and industry leadership. They addressed current plans to modernize U.S. systems through collaboration and cost-effective solutions for the nation’s nuclear deterrent. An academic panel discussed developing long-range strike, space, and hypersonic technologies for conventional deterrence. An industry panel discussed developing and delivering the technology for nuclear deterrence. A Navy/Army panel discussed long-range conventional strike. Some speakers were pre-recorded.

The visitors toured NSWC Crane and participated in recognizing its employees with various awards.

The event included several speakers:

  • Peter Huessy, Director of Strategic Deterrent Studies, Mitchell Institute
  • Dr. Angela Lewis (SES), Technical Director, NSWC Crane
  • CAPT Duncan McKay, Commanding Officer, NSWC Crane
  • Vice Admiral Johnny Wolfe, Director for Strategic Systems Programs (SSP)
  • CAPT Pat Croley, USN, Strategic Intelligence, Program Protection and Security Branch Head, SSP
  • Prof. Thomas Corke, Director, Hypersonic Systems Initiative, University of Notre Dame
  • Dr. Jonathan Poggie, Professor in Purdue’s School of Aeronautics and Astronautics
  • Prof. Andrew Lukefahr, Assistant Professor, Intelligent Systems Engineering, Indiana University
  • VADM (ret) Rick Breckenridge, VP of Navy and Marine Corps Programs, Northrop Grumman
  • Dr. Laura Hooks, VP for Strategic Systems, General Dynamics Mission Systems
  • Chris Hoddinott, Program Director, COLUMBIA Design & Engineering, General Dynamics Electric Boat
  • Eric Scherff, VP, Hypersonic Strike Programs, Lockheed Martin Space Strategic & Missile Defense Systems
  • Scott Pingsterhaus, Sr. Director of Business Development for Integrated Solutions, Collins Aerospace
  • Steve Henry, Member, Board of Advisors, JRC Integrated Systems
  • CAPT Gregory Zettler, USN, Major Program Manager for Navy Hypersonics
  • Robert Strider (SES), Deputy, Army Hypersonic Project Office
  • Col (ret) Michael Morgan, USAF Global Strike Command Operations and Communications Executive Director
  • Col Erik Quigley, Director, MMIII System Directorate, Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center
  • Dr. Gillian Bussey, Director, Joint Hypersonics Transition Office (JHTO)
  • Senator Mike Braun, U.S. Senator – Indiana
  • Senator Todd Young, U.S. Senator – Indiana
  • Brett Hamilton, NSWC Crane, Distinguished Engineer and Acting Principal Director for Microelectronics (OSD R&E)
  • Lt. Gen. James Dawkins, Jr., Deputy Chief of Staff for Strategic Deterrence and Nuclear Integration, Headquarters U.S. Air Force
  • John Harvey, former Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Nuclear, Chemical, and Biological Defense Programs
  • Mathew Kroenig of the Atlantic Council
  • Honorable Frank Miller, Principal, Scowcroft Group
  • Michaela Dodge, NIPP
  • Mark Gunzinger The Mitchell Institute
  • Angus Lapsley, Director General for Strategy and International Affairs, UK Ministry of Defence
  • Dr. Steven Blank, Senior Fellow at Foreign Policy Research Institute's Eurasia Program

About NSWC Crane

NSWC Crane is a naval laboratory and a field activity of Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) with mission areas in Expeditionary Warfare, Strategic Missions and Electronic Warfare. The warfare center is responsible for multi-domain, multi- spectral, full life cycle support of technologies and systems enhancing capability to today's Warfighter.

Join Our Team! NAVSEA employs a diverse, highly trained, educated, and skilled workforce - from students and entry level employees to experienced professionals and individuals with disabilities. We support today's sophisticated Navy and Marine Corps ships, aircraft, weapon systems and computer systems. We are continuously looking for engineers, scientists, and other STEM professionals, as well as talented business, finance, logistics and other support experts to ensure the U.S. Navy can protect and defend America. Please connect with NSWC Crane Recruiting at this site - https://navsea.recsolu.com/external/form/jmR6cUhZKZ_qD5QUqyMk8w or email us at crane_recruiting@navy.mil