July 24, 2017
WASHINGTON – In late May, Chief of Naval Research (CNR) – Rear Adm. David Hahn –issued a challenge for innovative ideas to support the Navy and Marine Corps of the future.
Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division (NSWC Crane) has enthusiastically accepted Hahn’s challenge.
NSWC Crane’s Dr. Ben Conley and Harrison Holmes were recognized as finalists of the CNR Concept Challenge during the Naval Future Force Science and Technology (S&T) Expo Thursday at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. Of the 200 concepts submitted, only nine were selected as finalists, and NSWC Crane was responsible for two of the nine.
“I am looking for visionary ideas that really get out in front of the rapid, ever-accelerating technology development and deployment cycle,” Rear Adm. Hahn said in May. “With new advances taking place at breakneck speeds, across multiple domains, the truth is that the ‘Navy and Marine Corps After Next’ is being created right now. I need people to think big, and then imagine even more.”
The concepts in the CNR Challenge focus on keeping naval ships, aircrafts and personnel always at an advantage, and help Sailors and Marines either deter conflict or win decisively and return safely. All idea submissions were reviewed by a team of subject matter experts within the Office of Naval Research (ONR).
Dr. Conley’s concept focuses on enhancements to existing thermal-imaging capabilities, and Holmes’ concept centers on creating low-cost solutions for additive-manufacturing metals.
“We want our men and women on the front lines to have such a dominant technological edge that potential adversaries don't even try to challenge us,” Hahn said.
The Expo provided an opportunity for finalists to meet with appropriate ONR subject matter experts and program officers for further exploration of each concept—and potential for follow-on work.
NSWC Crane is a naval laboratory and a field activity of NAVSEA. The warfare center is responsible for multi-domain, multi-spectral, full life cycle support of technologies and systems enhancing capability of today’s warfighter.
RELATED COVERAGE: https://www.onr.navy.mil/Media-Center/Press-Releases/2017/CNR-Challenge-Finalists-Expo