The NavalX “tech bridges” are all working to promote collaboration across the Naval enterprise. By connecting their workforce to new authorities and strategies, NavalX can promote innovation and development of cutting-edge technology. CAPT Frank Futcher (USN), director of NavalX, says that ensuring authorities are usable is a top priority.
“NavalX, we are not the center of excellence. We’re not the innovator or the researcher or the scientist, but our goal is to better connect them to others that have the subject matter expertise, to use the authority, to be able to move a little faster, and better connect with industry in terms of accessing the technology, and how they might transition to that technology,” Futcher said.
David Schiff, deputy director of NavalX, says that they’ve learned a lot from industry in developing their strategies.
“What we have been learning from industry is that we share some of the same challenges and some of the bureaucracy that has built up over the last 3 or 4 decades. We share some of those challenges,” Schiff said. “We are trying to lower those barriers for industry and make it clearer how to get in the door with the Department of the Navy.”
