Michael Griffin, undersecretary for research and engineering at the Department of Defense and 2019 Wash100 Award winner, has urged the U.S. government to augment collaborative efforts with academic and industry partners. Griffin said the three sectors should drive partnerships to allow rapid development, conception and procurement of technologies, Naval Sea Systems Command said Wednesday.Â
He cited various projects that utilized rapid approaches including the development of the Lockheed Martin-built SR-71 Blackbird and F-117 Nighthawk aircraft systems.Â
“The ability of the U.S. to innovate is what ended World War II and the Cold War,â€Â said Griffin. “That was fostered by a unique collaboration between university and academic research applied to problems of the day, government to waive the baton and industry to manufacture with pace.”
