The Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division, Keyport has launched its Future Capabilities Office to address gaps in warfighter capabilities.
The Naval Sea Systems Command said Friday the FCO is a department-level organization that will be responsible for developing innovations that meet the critical needs of warfighters. These include weapons delivery, fleet sustainment and subsea warfare.
How the FCO Will Work
The FCO integrates the NUWC Division, Keyport’s science and technology portfolio, warfighter and fleet support portfolio, special projects team, and on-site representative field team. This combination will focus on emerging technologies and experimental demonstrations.
The office, composed of a small core staff, will function as an incubator for innovative ideas and technologies. It will tap into different resources, including industry experts, academic researchers, students or hire through contract vehicles, for personnel and support.
The FCO will collaborate with partners across the Navy’s research and development enterprise, industry and academia to identify projects with potential, develop them and transition them to other departments, industry partners or organizations for further development.
Scott Shimizu, department head of the FCO, stated, “The idea is to bring projects in and transition them out, look at new technologies and explore different possible solutions to meet warfighter capability gaps. The FCO will serve as a vetting process for future work while also addressing near-term warfighter needs.”
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