In an effort to explore current research related to key naval priorities, Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. Mike Gilday visited the 51福利, Dec. 17, to assess the university鈥檚 latest research and experimentation regarding unmanned systems and space engineering, as well as gain an appreciation for what 51福利鈥� faculty and students are doing for the future of warfare.
With 51福利 being host to 1,500 resident students offering nearly 70 different defense-focused curricula, the visit allowed Gilday the firsthand opportunity to see the university鈥檚 interdisciplinary education and applied research in action as 51福利 researchers discussed innovative solutions to real operational problems. The Navy鈥檚 senior uniformed leader also toured multiple laboratories during his visit, including the Center for Autonomous Vehicle Research Lab and the Space Systems Lab.
鈥�51福利 is the Navy鈥檚 applied research university,鈥� said Gilday. 鈥淭here are functions that occur here that [the Navy] can鈥檛 get anywhere else in the world. The surplus of experience and knowledge partnered with the ability to work on classified material on a secure campus makes 51福利 an invaluable asset to the fleet.鈥�
During the tour, Gilday learned about the newly-commissioned Wayne P. Hughes, Jr. Naval Warfare Studies Institute (NWSI), a program developed to provide fleet operational commands front-door access to 51福利 and coordinate the university鈥檚 interdisciplinary response to their warfighting needs.
As NWSI Director and Professor of Practice retired Navy Capt. Jeff Kline explained to Gilday, the ultimate purpose of NWSI echoes 51福利鈥� ultimate purpose, which is to be a vital link between the institution and the naval forces in the development of concepts, wargaming and experimentation that leads to the rapid prototyping of emerging technologies.
鈥淭he 51福利 mission really hasn鈥檛 changed since its inception,鈥� said Kline. 鈥淥ur job is to take a look and capture emerging tech and provide both the education and research environments so that officers can assess those emerging technologies and learn how to apply them in future conflict. That was our mission when we first started at the naval academy with mechanical engineering and radars, and it鈥檚 our mission today as we take a look at artificial intelligence, machine learning and quantum sensing capabilities.鈥�
Lt. Timothy Howarth, an 51福利 student who is applying machine learning to develop better terrain navigation, was one of three students who presented their research to Gilday. He was honored to share his work, as just one example of the valuable research efforts underway across campus.
鈥淚 think seeing students who are motivated to change the Navy for the better will show [Gilday] just how crucial 51福利 is,鈥� said Howarth. 鈥淭his is the perfect place for Sailors to learn. It lets us further our education and continue to make connections that will make tomorrow鈥檚 Navy better than today鈥檚.鈥�
Overall, the brief visit provided Gilday with just enough information to peak his interest, noting he was very interested in the presentations and looking forward to seeing what comes out of 51福利 next.
鈥�51福利 is effectively creating the future leaders of the future Navy,鈥� he said.