The no-cost agreement will integrate Air Force and Navy tech transfer, transition and commercialization objectives.
Dayton, April 24, 2018: Wright Brothers Institute (WBI) hosted the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division (NSWC Crane), located in Crane, Indiana to sign their new Partnership Intermediary Agreement (PIA). The signing was part of a day-and-a-half event to solidify a collaborative framework that will allow the two organizations to provide maximum return on commercialization investments for both the Air Force and the Navy. The signing took place at WBI’s offices in Dayton, Ohio and included tours of all three WBI facilities. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Plans and Programs Director, Mr. Tom Lockhart and Dr. Kyle Werner, NSWC Crane’s Director of Engagement, discussed and presented their innovation best practices and explored collaborative opportunities. Those opportunities will be executed by WBI and NSWC Crane, along with support from the Air Force Tech Transfer Office, as well as regional accelerators and networks.
The agreement will focus on aligning complimentary technologies, sourcing commercial markets, connecting technical experts, and engaging manufacturers to further commercialization efforts for all parties. Joint technology showcases, produced in both cities, will help form new collaborations and awareness for technologists, as well as investors. “This agreement allows us to quickly bundle relevant pieces of intellectual property to create more attractive licensing opportunities, an effort that will benefit both AFRL and NSWC Crane.,” said WBI Executive Director Les McFawn. Both organizations have strong partnerships with universities including the University of Dayton, Wright State University and Purdue University. The Purdue Research Foundation’s Office of Technology Commercialization (OTC) operates one of the most comprehensive technology transfer programs among leading research universities in the U.S. OTC has more than 400 innovations available for licensing and commercialization that represent every industry sector. “This new initiative creates excellent development potential and new opportunity to bring innovative technologies to commercial markets,” said Meghan Sheehan, WBI’s Director of Technology Transfer and Commercialization.
“This unique agreement connects a region that is leveraging current technology transfer initiatives with the Air Force and aligns to the core technology areas of NSWC Crane,” said Brooke Pyne, NSWC Crane’s Technology Transfer Manager/SBIR Program Manager. “This strategic partnership will strengthen regional collaboration by fostering navy commercialization with research and development efforts that support the warfighter.”
This agreement aligns with the highest levels of Air Force and Navy leadership. In March 2018, Military.com reported that the top three defense secretaries are having regular meetings to see how the services can become more technologically integrated.
The military services are on the brink of becoming the most integrated they've ever been, thanks to more collaborative strategies and a willingness to leverage one another's technologies, officials say.
- Oriana Pawlyk for Military.com
Commercialization of Department of Defense technologies means real capabilities and benefits are delivered to the warfighter, faster "…to prevail in 21st-century conflict," said Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson. While leadership grapples with budgetary concerns, partnerships like the one between WBI & NSWC Crane comes at no additional cost to the Air Force or the Navy. “This PIA builds on work that we’re already doing. We’re joining forces to leverage that work, build upon it and make it even more impactful,” McFawn said.
About Wright Brothers Institute
The Wright Brothers Institute is an Innovation Institute, partnered with the Air Force Research Laboratory, serving the Dayton region. Utilizing unique collaboration environments, resident experts, extended networks and innovative processes, Wright Brothers Institute brings value to a variety of customers looking for insights and solutions to their most challenging problems.
To receive updates about future events at all Wright Brothers Institute locations, visit www.wbi-innovates.com. Follow Wright Brothers Institute on Twitter @wbiinovates or on facebook @WBIInnovates
About Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division
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. NSWC Crane is responsible for multi-domain, multi- spectral, full life cycle support of technologies and systems enhancing capability to today’s warfighter. Follow NSWC Crane on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube @NAVSEACrane.
NSWC Crane’s Technology Transfer (T2) Program helps link federal research and development to academic institutions and businesses in the private sector. The program has partnerships with more than 100 businesses, individuals and universities.