June 22, 2016
Crane, Ind. – U.S. Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter toured Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division (NSWC Crane) on Wednesday to learn more about the cutting-edge engineering and technical worked performed at the naval installation.
Secretary Carter received briefings about NSWC Crane’s three mission focus areas, Expeditionary Warfare, Strategic Missions, and Electronic Warfare. He also toured the Rapid Innovation Prototype Lab (RIPL) and saw firsthand how Crane fields and puts solutions into the warfighter’s hands faster than ever before.
Crane Army Ammunition Activity (CAAA) spoke about their mission and support to the Navy and NSWC Crane.
Carter made comments about the warfare center’s technology stressing the importance of innovation and accelerated design, development and the rapid response to fielding solutions. He praised NSWC Crane’s workforce for its efficiency.
“What Crane does for us is so wide and so deep. It’s significant for our national security the work that goes on here. They do things that range from our nuclear deterrent, which is the bedrock of our security, to supporting today’s warfighter – who are protecting us and our people and our country right now, today, tonight around the world – to high tech, but incredibly important areas for our future like electronic warfare, trusted microcircuits, all of these advanced technologies without which the finest fighting force the world has ever known can remain that way,” Carter explained.
Carter was accompanied by distinguished guests Rear Adm. Lorin Selby, Army Brig. Gen. Richard B. Dix and U.S. Sen. Joseph Donnelly, who was instrumental in arranging the historic visit.
Donnelly, who serves on the Senate Armed Services Committee said, “It is an honor to host Secretary Carter in Indiana. With Crane’s impressive growth in the past two years, I wanted Secretary Carter to see the base firsthand and meet these extraordinary Hoosiers who play a critical role in protecting our national security.”
Wednesday's visit marked the first from a secretary of defense in Crane's 75-year history.
NSWC Crane Commanding Officer Capt. Jeffrey Elder said, “As we continue to celebrate Crane’s 75th anniversary this year, NSWC Crane is proud to have had the opportunity to host Secretary Carter for this historic visit. We are truly grateful to Senator Donnelly for his tireless effort in supporting Crane and our nation’s warfighters.”
NSWC Crane is a naval laboratory and a field activity of Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) with focus 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, all which provide a decisive advantage for our Warfighters.