Undersea Technology Innovation Consortium and Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division Newport Enter Cooperative Research and Development Agreement 

From The Undersea Technology Innovation Consortium 

MIDDLETOWN, R.I. — The Undersea Technology Innovation Consortium (UTIC) announced today that the organization has entered into a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with the Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC) Division Newport. 

Through this agreement, UTIC and NUWC Division Newport will collaborate to advance and promote innovative undersea technologies that will help maintain U.S. dominance of the undersea domain. 

This collaboration directly supports NUWC Division Newport’s Mastery of the Seas, a strategic plan to expand the battlespace from the seabed to space, drive the integration of new technologies, and strengthen partnerships with industry to accelerate the delivery of systems and platforms to the warfighter. 

The CRADA establishes a formal framework for communication and collaboration between UTIC and NUWC Division Newport on emerging technologies and capabilities relevant to undersea warfare and maritime operations. 

“Through this CRADA, UTIC is proud to deepen our partnership with NUWC Division Newport and further our shared commitment to advancing undersea technology,” said Molly Donohue Magee, Chief Executive Officer at UTIC. “By connecting innovators from industry and academia with government experts and real-world challenges, we can accelerate the development and adoption of technologies that strengthen our undersea advantage.” 

Under the agreement, UTIC will serve as a liaison and facilitator for industry outreach efforts. These efforts are designed to elevate promising undersea and maritime technologies developed by industry and academic partners.  

“This partnership enhances our ability to identify, assess, and engage with emerging technologies that support the Navy’s undersea mission,” said Marie Bussiere, Technical Director, NUWC Division Newport. “Working with UTIC expands our reach into the private sector’s innovation ecosystem and helps ensure we remain at the forefront of undersea warfare capabilities.” 

As part of the collaboration, UTIC, with input from NUWC Division Newport, will host a minimum of two Industry–NUWC engagement events, two Undersea Virtual Tech Talks, and one in-person Tech Showcase annually, creating multiple opportunities for collaboration and information sharing throughout the year.  

“Agreements like this CRADA enable NUWC Division Newport to work closely with trusted partners to accelerate innovation,” said CAPT Kevin J. Behm, Commanding Officer of NUWC Division Newport. “By fostering collaboration with nonprofit organizations, industry, and academia, we are strengthening our ability to deliver advanced undersea capabilities in support of the U.S. Navy.” 

The CRADA underscores UTIC’s mission to foster a collaborative environment for the rapid development of innovative undersea and maritime technologies, while supporting NUWC Division Newport’s role as the Navy’s center of excellence for undersea warfare research, development, testing, and evaluation. 

About the Undersea Technology Innovation Consortium (UTIC) 
The Undersea Technology Innovation Consortium (UTIC) promotes the rapid development, prototyping, and commercialization of innovative undersea and maritime. UTIC represents a united undersea and maritime industry voice, breaking down barriers to growth by identifying and integrating undersea and maritime technology resources and opportunities, and providing the environment to collaborate on innovative solutions. For more information on UTIC, visit https://www.underseatech.org/. 

About Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division Newport (NUWC) 
NUWC Newport is the oldest warfare center in the country, tracing its heritage to the Naval Torpedo Station established on Goat Island in Newport Harbor in 1869. Commanded by Capt. Kevin Behm, NUWC Newport maintains major detachments in West Palm Beach, Florida, and Andros Island in the Bahamas, as well as test facilities at Seneca Lake and Fisher’s Island, New York, Leesburg, Florida, and Dodge Pond, Connecticut.