MIDDLETOWN – The Undersea Technology Innovation Consortium, along with the Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division Newport, had its first formal industry day on Oct. 17 in Middletown.
Nearly 250 attendees came from around the U.S., representing more than 130 organizations, according to NUWC.
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The UTIC has a three-year agreement with NUWC – with options up to 10 years – for technology development and prototyping of undersea technology and innovative maritime systems. The agile contracting arrangement – called an Other Transaction Authority agreement – helps facilitate quicker innovative prototypes with nontraditional companies such as small businesses, NUWC said in a press release.
Officials said quicker innovation is needed.
“It takes several years to develop, qualify and field state-of-the-art weapon-system technologies and even more for new undersea systems,” said Capt. Michael Coughlin, NUWC Newport’s commanding officer.
“Often, by the time a technology is ready for fielding, the original requirement or threat has changed,” he said. “This joint effort … embraced this innovative process that facilitates better communication and collaboration while most importantly delivering needed capability faster.”
Attendees were briefed on the next 23 topics that will be released, beginning with a request for prototype ideas, or RPI, which was released on Oct. 30. UTIC members can now submit comments to the government for consideration. Next month, a formal request for prototype proposal will be released.
“It is a unique opportunity to work collaboratively and leverage industry, academia and government capabilities. It is an even greater opportunity to deliver the needed innovative solutions to the men and women of our armed forces,” said UTIC Executive Director Molly Donohue Magee.
Susan Shalhoub is a PBN contributing writer.
