CRADA Partners NSWC Crane with Johns Hopkins University APL
From Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane Public Affairs Office
Laurel, Md. - Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) Crane and Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (JHU/APL) signed a three year Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) Oct. 19 to leverage technical expertise and advance Electronic Warfare (EW) technology.
As part of the CRADA, NSWC Crane, a field activity of the Naval Sea Systems Command, will supply advanced equipment and facility access as needed, and develop effects data related to the use of laser technology for EW applications. JHU/APL will research EW technologies, develop modeling capabilities and provide Unmanned Aerial Vehicles/Unmanned Aircraft Systems equipment and expertise.
"Signing this CRADA establishes a partnership that will enable and promote the transition of laser-based technologies into real-world military applications," said Ted Smock, NSWC Crane Infrared/ Radio Frequency Systems Technologies Division manager. "Currently, there is limited use of laser-based technologies to accomplish military EW missions. As these systems become more compact and reliable, more military applications are possible."
Potential EW application technologies the partnering organizations will explore include the use of Ultrashort Pulse Lasers (USPLs), high-average power lasers, laser-material interactions, Infrared and Radio Frequency (RF) counter-measures, and employment of, and defense against, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles/Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAV/UAS).
"This partnership will allow experts to cover projects throughout the technology lifecycle," said Dr. Gerald Manke, NSWC Crane principal investigator. "From basic research to system sustainment, we can leverage both organizations' expertise. Using this CRADA as a vehicle, we can collaborate to expand our Navy's EW capabilities. Ensuring our Warfighters are equipped with the most cutting-edge technology is always our primary goal."
Under the authority of the U.S. Federal Technology Transfer Act of 1986, NSWC Crane's Electronic Warfare/Information Operations Center, nationally recognized for its leadership and advanced facilities, partners with public and private organizations to develop innovative solutions for the Warfighter.
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