NUWC, Commerce Corp. partner to strengthen defense, ocean tech

GOV. GINA M. Raimondo said that the partnership with the Naval Undersea Warfare Center will allow the state to
GOV. GINA M. Raimondo said that the partnership with the Naval Undersea Warfare Center will allow the state to "develop bigger and better ways to work together to advance our technology, foster innovation in government and create jobs." / PBN FILE PHOTO/MICHAEL SALERNO

NEWPORT – The Naval Undersea Warfare Center and Rhode Island Commerce Corporation have formed a partnership that will feature a NUWC employee on a two-year assignment at the commerce offices in an effort to strengthen the state economy through the defense and ocean technology sectors.

According to a news release from the NUWC, the partnership will help the economy by growing business opportunities for start-ups and small- to medium-size businesses relevant to undersea and naval technology.

The initiative is part of an effort to help spark innovation between NUWC and industry at the local level, the release said, adding the position will leverage NUWC’s intellectual property, patents, lab facilities, capabilities, personnel and expertise in undersea technologies to help the Commerce Corporation meet economic development goals for defense diversification and commercialization.

Said Gov. Gina M. Raimondo, “Through this partnership with the Naval Undersea Warfare Center, we will develop bigger and better ways to work together to advance our technology, foster innovation in government and create jobs. This is a great example of the type of smart, new approaches we need to jumpstart our economy and spark Rhode Island’s comeback.”

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U.S. Sen. Jack F. Reed called the partnership “a smart move that builds on some of the recent investments we’ve made in strengthening the state’s assets and defense sector infrastructure.”

“By better connecting NUWC with business, academic and technology leaders that want to collaborate with the Navy, we can further economic-development opportunities and job growth here in Rhode Island. This type of collaboration will help the Navy develop and build the next generation of ships and equipment and reinforce Rhode Island’s role as a high-tech hub of undersea technologies,” Reed said.
Rear Adm. Michael Jabaley, prospective program executive officer submarines and former commander of the NUWC, said a defense and ocean technology outreach strategy and implementation plan will be created. The position will assist the Commerce Corporation in identifying and attracting Rhode Island businesses and academic institutions that have technology developments or requirements in common with NUWC.

“This partnership will help us to strengthen Rhode Island’s already well-positioned defense and ocean technology industries,” Secretary of Commerce Stefan Pryor said. “Through this extraordinary collaboration with the Naval Undersea Warfare Center, given its deep experience and renowned expertise, we will be able to advance economic development and create more high-quality jobs for Rhode Islanders. We are grateful to Rear Adm. Michael Jabaley for his leadership in working with Governor Raimondo to launch this important joint initiative.”

Said Jabaley, “This position has the potential to be a technology feeder for the myriad projects, programs and systems we’re working on at NUWC, while also being an economic multiplier for the state’s highest paying sector — the defense industry.”

The release said that the position should give NUWC better access to startups and nontraditional industries with regional entrepreneurs and also directly supports the Department of Defense’s long-range research and development plan. In addition, it would provide the defense industry in the state with much needed visibility, especially for those working in support of undersea warfare, it stated.

NUWC is working to fill the position in the Commerce Corporation offices to accomplish the program’s goals within the next two months.

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