Electro-optic engineers and scientists at the Naval Surface Warfare Center's Crane Division use funds from the Navy Innovative Science and Engineering program in efforts to develop technology platforms for sailors.
NISE allocates money to help developers increase the number of technical equipment and establish critical infrastructure via basic and applied research, technology transition, laboratory revitalization and workforce development initiatives within Department of Defense-run labs, Naval Sea Systems Command said Thursday.
Aaron Cole, an NSWC Crane engineer, said the funding program has helped the center customize technology to address military requirements and cut programmatic and technological risks.
He worked with science, technology, engineering and math professionals to produce an underwater command-and-control device using NISE funds. The communication system is designed to help warfighters apply navigation and full motion video while they are underwater.
“It gave us the freedom and latitude to go through the final development phases to patent the technology and get it ready for industry,” Cole noted.