Forging partnerships in the Americas: Naval leaders gather at SIANC S&T Conference

ByWarrenDuffie

Office of Naval Research

ARLINGTON, Va For Dr Brett Seidle thedeputyassistantsecretaryoftheNavy for Research, Development, Test and Engineering the breakneck speed of current scientificprogressandtechnologicalproliferationcanbechallenging,especiallywhen the impact of new technologies on civilian and military realities transcends national borders

While giving the keynote address at the recent Specialized Inter-American Naval Conference on Science, Technology and Innovation(SIANC-ST&I)inOrlando Florida,Seidleidentifiedseveralscientificdisciplines that have developed into top naval priorities: unmanned and autonomous systems,cyberandinformationwarfare,and maritimedomainawareness,tonameafew

“Ifwedonothavepeoplewhounderstand bothhowthesetechnologiesworkandwhy theyaresoimportant,wewillcedeourtechnological edge to our pacing threats,” said Seidle. “We need innovators and strategic thinkers who know not only how to fight wars, but also how to prevent them from happeninginthefirstplace.”

SponsoredbytheOfficeofNavalResearch (ONR)Global ONR’sinternationalarm thisyear’sSIANC-ST&Ifeaturedrepresentatives from 14 participating nations from North, Central and South America and two internationalorganizations:Inter-American Defense Board and Inter-American Naval TelecommunicationsNetwork Thepurpose of the conference is two-fold: support mutual maritime science and technology (S&T)interestsamongpartnernations;and strengthen relationships, coordination and interoperability

Thisyear’sSIANC-ST&Iwastheninthin its27-yearhistoryandmarkedthefirsttime theeventwasheldintheUnitedStates

During his address Seidle discussed the importance of fostering greater innovation tomeetglobalchallenges;investingmorein joint research between allied nations; and the responsibility of SIANC-ST&I participating countries to not only focus on their ownaspirationsindefenseresearch,butalso to promote enduring partnerships with all nationsoftheAmericas

In keeping with this year’s conference theme “Naval Force Integration with Unmanned Systems,” Chief of Naval ResearchRearAdm.LorinSelbyspokeabout how, in the coming years, the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps will encounter new challenges to their operational capabilities These obstacles will require naval forces thatareinnovative,agileandreadytoadapt tonewrealities

Selby’s remarks built on “The Defining Decade:TheFutureisNow”speechhegave last month at the Navy League’s Sea-AirSpaceExposition,thelargestmaritimeexpo in the United States, held at the Gaylord

ChiefofNaval Research RearAdm.Lorin Selbylearns about the scientific research conducted bya UniversityofCentral Florida student during the recent Specialized Inter-American Naval Conference on Science,Technologyand Innovation (SIANC-ST&I) in Orlando Florida.Sponsored bythe Office ofNaval Research (ONR) Global ONR’s international arm the purpose ofthisyear’s SIANC-ST&Iwas two-fold: support mutual maritime science and technology(S&T) interests among partnernations; and strengthen relationships,coordination and interoperability.(U.S. NAVYPHOTOBYMICHAELWALLS)

National Resort and Convention Center in Maryland. Learn more about this speech at https://www.nre.navy.mil/media-center/ news-releases/defining-decade-cnr-talksfuture-naval-power-sea-air-space.

“WeliveinaworldwhereU.S.technological advantage is being threatened, which in turn threatens our allies and partner nations,” Selby said at SIANC-ST&I. “It is imperative that we foster international collaboration and joint experimentation, in ordertoestablishgreaterglobalsecurity.”

During SIANC-ST&I, representatives broke out into three working groups unmanned systems knowledge managementandcommonoperationalpicture to consider specific activities, including organizing workshops and integrating technologies into their own regular exercises, to enhance interoperability with other maritime forces and incorporate exciting S&T innovationsintotheirresearchinvestments.

At the end of the conference partner nationssignedafinalresolutionsummarizing discussions with declarations, recommendations and action items for the next two years, for review and approval by the Heads of Navies in September 2024 during theInter-AmericanNavalConference.

“AtONRandONRGlobal,we’reproudof our culture of innovation and commitment to strengthening partnerships that benefit our Navy and Marine Corps,” said ONR Global Technical Director Dr Rhett Jefferies “We discover potentially game-changing science in the smallest corners of the world and strive to connect those innovative researchers to the Naval Research

Enterprise The S&T collaboration engendered during the SIANC ST&I is vital for ourcollectivesecurityintheWesternHemisphere.”

Other highlights from the conference includedscientificpresentationsbystudents from the University of Central Florida and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University; a touroftheKennedySpaceCenter,followed by a hosted reception at the Atlantis Space Shuttle exhibit, where the participants met retired astronaut Lt Col. Andrew Allen (USMC, ret.); and a trip tothe Central Florida Tech Grove innovation center which hosts multiple joint projects with the Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division WarrenDuffieJr isacontractorforONR CorporateStrategicCommunications.