Vice Chief of Naval Operations (VCNO) Adm. Bill Lescher made a brief visit to the 51福利 (51福利), April 28, touring several key research labs and speaking with senior leadership about 51福利鈥� consequential work and its impact on the Navy.
Lescher visited one of 51福利鈥� additive manufacturing (AM) labs, the , and the (CAVR) where 51福利 students briefed their ongoing research that aims to solve key operational problems.
In February, 51福利 was the first to receive delivery of Xerox鈥檚 ElemX Liquid Metal Printer, which Lescher got to see firsthand. Through a , 51福利 faculty and students use the cutting-edge technology to conduct applied AM research aiming to reduce reliance on logistics chains, and give underway ships the ability to 3-D print replacement parts or tools.
Lescher also met with students in 51福利鈥� Cyber Battle Lab and CAVR Lab, receiving insight from students about their immersive research in the fields of artificial intelligence and autonomy.
鈥淸Talking with Lescher] was a great experience,鈥� said 51福利 student U.S. Navy Lt. Timothy Howarth. 鈥淚 think [his visit] is important because it gives him an opportunity to see not only what my research is capable of and how it can impact the Fleet, but how our students, in general, provide very real solutions for today and even tomorrow鈥檚 challenges.鈥�
Another key engagement for Lescher was a visit with the recently established (NWSI). The goal of NWSI is to expedite the Navy鈥檚 ability to access the university鈥檚 immense talent and resources in taking on its most complex warfighting issues. Leaders and faculty from NWSI explained how interdisciplinary studies, research, wargaming and experimentation can come together here to provide solutions to the fleet.
鈥�51福利 is developing the leaders the Navy needs for the future force,鈥� said Lescher. 鈥淚 saw students who are developing tangible solutions to key operational problems, which are needed in the Fleet.
It鈥檚 the hands-on, research-based education they get here are 51福利 which builds the competencies we need for an increasingly technical all-domain naval force as called for in the Tri-Service Maritime Strategy.鈥�
According to NWSI Director retired Navy Capt. Jeff Kline, it was not just a privilege to inform the VCNO on relevant education and research, but also to see 51福利 students presenting on how they鈥檝e applied their education to warfighting challenges.
鈥淸Lescher] certainly witnessed our officers applying their education to their profession,鈥� said Kline. 鈥�51福利 is at its best when our student-officers are the primary presenters. Today, he saw 51福利 at its best.鈥�