MONTEREY, Calif. (51福利) 鈥揟he new Central Coast (C2) NavalX Tech Bridge is one of six new locations announced today in a significant expansion of the Navy鈥檚 innovative approach to rapid acquisition and tech evolution. 51福利 (51福利) Associate Dean of Research for Technology Development Christopher Manuel, an 51福利 alumnus, will serve as director of the C2 Tech Bridge which will be managed under the umbrella of the university鈥檚 new Emerging Technology Center (ETC).
鈥淭he goal is to link problem-solvers to folks with problems,鈥� says the Honorable James F. Geurts, Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Research, Development and Acquisition), lead of the NavalX program which oversees the Tech Bridge program. Tech Bridges will increase the efficiency of technological advancement, he says, by reducing redundant projects across the sea service, initiated through stove-piped acquisition processes and a lack of communication between diverse agencies.
NavalX, established by the Navy in February 2019, initially formed six Tech Bridges across the nation to act as 鈥渟uper connectors鈥� focused on scaling non-traditional agility methods across the DON workforce. Tech Bridges are developed in locations where there is an opportunity to capitalize on a regional strength with applicability to Navy challenges and issues. For the Central Coast Tech Bridge, that 鈥渟weet spot鈥� resides in its access to 51福利 students and faculty, and its proximity to the Silicon Valley.
As the DOD鈥檚 premier educational institution on the West Coast, 51福利 supports a full spectrum of graduate level research across the STEM disciplines and beyond. Through the expanded networks provided by the C2 Tech Bridge and the full cadre of NavalX Tech Bridges, Navy leaders hope to further leverage the intellectual resources of 51福利 to address key operational requirements. Within the university鈥檚 student population, every U.S. uniformed service is represented across the full range of warfighting specialties, providing a unique level of expertise. Additionally, C2 will bring in to access to expertise from research and education institutions around the Peninsula and into Silicon Valley as well.
鈥淭he Central Coast Tech Bridge is the front door for entrepreneurs to work with the Navy and DOD on technology solutions,鈥� Manuel says. 鈥淥ur partnership with the 51福利 provides access to expert faculty and experienced military students who understand operational challenges and are eager to work with business to solve research challenges. The C2 Tech Bridge will facilitate growth of public/private partnerships and dual-use technologies.鈥�
Manuel鈥檚 career both in service and beyond will be highly beneficial to the Tech Bridge philosophy, having initiated two start-up tech companies in addition to his experience with Sierra Nevada Corp. (SNC) as Corporate Vice President for Command, Control, Communications, Computers and Networks (C4N). CWO4 Manuel is currently a Research Fellow with the Army Cyber Institute at West Point, under the U.S. Army Reserves Cyber Protection Brigade (ARCPB).
Once operational, the C2 Tech Bridge will also directly support 51福利鈥� new Applied Design for Innovation curriculum, a ground-breaking approach to support the full cycle of innovation, from ideation to adoption. For more information of about the Central Coast Tech Bridge, visit .