NIUVT-Undersea System Research
Abstract
The NIUVT is a partnership between the University of Connecticut (UConn), University of Rhode Island (URI), and General Dynamics Electric Boat (EB), and is in collaboration with the Naval Undersea Warfare Center, Newport (NUWC), the Undersea Warfighting Development Center (UWDC), and others in the Naval Research Enterprise (NRE). The NIUVT aims to be a strong partner in advancing technology important to national defense and economic development by providing an organizational construct that accelerates innovation in submarine and unmanned undersea vehicles by bringing together undersea partners for well-defined applied research, accelerated technology transition and workforce development to help ensure a sustainable industrial base. The NIUVT will be a resource for the development of new capabilities to ensure naval dominance for the future fleet and to leverage advancements in dual-use technologies. This proposed funding will allow NIUVT to pursue concept development, applied research, research alignment and technology transition, industry engagement, and workforce development initiatives to effectively meet current and future needs of the Navy. Concept Development and Innovation. To effectively align new undersea innovation and technology, university faculty will be involved with our undersea partners in concept development to ensure the resulting ideas are out of the box, yet have value to the Navy. This will be done through NIUVT Concept Development Days and NIUVT Annual Project Reviews. Applied Research. NIUVT has selected one (1) translational (TRAN) research project, eleven (11) comprehensive (COMP) research projects and thirteen (13) seed (SEED) projects to be funded in this proposal. Two (2) additional COMP projects will be funded under this general effort as continuation of current projects. The projects were all pre-selected through a competitive process with reviews provided by subject matter experts from NUWC, UWDC, EB, UConn and URI. Research Alignment and Technology Transition of NIUVT-Funded Applied Research. NIUVT will work closely with NUWC and UWDC to align the applied research and advanced technology development of the NIUVT with naval priorities, and assist in the transition of mature technologies into naval acquisition programs. NIUVT will also work closely with Electric Boat to ensure projects conducted as part of the NIUVT transition to enhance IR&D and concept formulation studies conducted at Electric Boat and will coordinate with the University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth, Marine and Undersea Technology Research Program (MUST). Industry Engagement. NIUVT will continue to work closely with the Rhode Island Business Engagement Center (BEC), the Naval and Maritime Consortium in Connecticut, and the Southeastern New England Defense Industry Alliance (SENEDIA); will participate in Defense Innovation Days; and will build on current collaboration with the 401 Tech Bridge and the National Security Innovation Network (NSIN) and MassChallengeRI to develop acceleration opportunities for small businesses in the ecosystem. Workforce Development. Student engagement and workforce development activities will promote graduate education for engineers in the Navy workforce through engagement in the applied research efforts and will extend the activities of the highly successful ONR Navy STEM program at UConn and URI, which focuses on undergraduate training and supports undergraduate design projects in undersea vehicle technologies, by promoting undergraduate involvement in the applied research projects.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Nov 09, 2020
- Source ID
- N000142114009
Entities
People
- Richard E. Christenson
Organizations
- Office of Naval Research
- United States Navy
- University of Connecticut