ONR Hosts Naval Future Force Science & Technology Expo

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class(SCW/SW/AW) Jonathan Pankau, Defense Media Activity

WASHINGTON (NNS) -- The Office of Naval Research held a Naval Future Force Science and Technology Expo at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, Washington, Feb. 4 and 5.

Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Jonathan Greenert delivered the opening remarks, focusing on his three goals for the science and technology community: reduce reliance on gunpowder; increase stamina for underwater unmanned vehicles' power and propulsion systems; and increase focus on cybersecurity.

"I need you to lock your IT doors...You do it at home and you need to keep that mindset at work," Greenert said. "Cybersecurity is a very key requirement for all our systems and weapons."

Demonstrations of a more tangible nature than computer software ranged from the Shipboard Autonomous Fire-Fighting Robot(SAFFiR), the autonomous swarmboat for unmanned boat operations, the Electromagnetic Railgun, even a robotic shark.

"ONR's responsibility is to lead scientists and engineers of the Department of the Navy to ensure our Marines and Sailors have the technological advantage on the battlefield," said Chief of Naval Research Rear Adm. Mathias Winter.

Winter stated their main objective concerning Sailors and Marines is to bridge the gap between the warfighter and the scientist, ensuring the technology developed is the right tool for the job and the Sailor or Marine tasked to use it is properly trained. The expo is ONR's opportunity to show off to the public, garner interest in new technologies from other sources and display how ONR is keeping the warfighter well equipped and, above all, safe.