Click here - to select or create a menu

Naval News

DSEI Japan 2023
  • News
  • Event News
    • SNA 2023
    • Euronaval 2022
    • Indo Pacific 2022
    • Sea Air Space 2022
    • DIMDEX 2022
  • Interviews
  • Videos
  • Advertising
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
Home» News»Royal Navy joins US Navy NavalX Tech Bridges network
(Credit: NavalX)

Royal Navy joins US Navy NavalX Tech Bridges network

The United Kingdom’s Royal Navy and the United States Navy announced a new partnership to accelerate the adoption of novel ideas and technologies, marking a unique chapter in the historic relationship between the two nations.

Naval News Staff 11 Dec 2020

NavalX press release

A newly established London Tech Bridge—with both nations as full partners—will serve as a command post for innovation for the two Navies as they work toward interchangeability in everything from technology development to deployment and operations.

Royal Navy Second Sea Lord Vice Adm. Nick Hine, and the Hon. James “Hondo” Geurts, U.S. Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development and Acquisition, announced the official partnership today at a live virtual event on social media. 

“The London Tech Bridge will form a significant upgrade to the US/UK maritime partnership and will enhance the Royal Navy’s already significant investments in technology and innovation,” said Hine. “Collaborative problem-solving will allow us to advance from operating alongside our partners in an interoperable manner, to truly working with them in an interchangeable manner.”

Speaking from his office in Washington, Geurts noted the importance of getting broad participation to make the Tech Bridge concept succeed.

“The Tech Bridge name denotes technology, but there’s a huge human element to this,” said Geurts. “One of the competitive advantages of a democratic society is its ability to bring people together in a collaborative, not coercive fashion. In fact, the more diverse ideas, the better.

“We do not need you to be an expert in the U.S. or Royal Navy,” he added.

“The kind of folks I’m hoping to excite, attract and leverage are those with the curiosity to explore, the humility to learn, and the boldness to act. There are certainly technology priority areas we have, but don’t make that a limiter in bringing ideas to us.”

Hon. James “Hondo” Geurts, U.S. Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development and Acquisition

Over the last year, the U.S. Naval Agility Office (NavalX) has successfully leveraged Tech Bridges across the U.S., with the London outpost announced as the 13th and first overseas location. They are set up as innovation centers of gravity where military, industry and academia can meet, share ideas and collaborate to produce solutions that benefit the general public in addition to defense capacity.

While announced just over one month ago, today’s event is noteworthy in that this Tech Bridge will be a full partnership between two nations—a first for the Tech Bridge concept.  It is one of the first key examples of the two Navies moving out on the recently signed Future Integrated Warfighting Statement of Intent.

Initial focus areas will be Unmanned and Autonomy, Artificial Intelligence, Biotechnology, Space, and Directed Energy and Lasers.

“The Tech Bridge concept is flourishing and showing serious promise,” said Rear Adm. Lorin Selby, the U.S. Chief of Naval Research. “These are places where great minds can come together in a unique atmosphere, share ideas and technologies, and say ‘what if.’

NavalX picture

“We are honored and delighted to be partnering on this new Tech Bridge in London with the Royal Navy.”

Selby and Royal Navy Director of Development Rear Adm. Andy Burns took questions during the live event.

Cmdr. Albert Arnold, of ONR Global, who will serve as the U.S. Director, noted the impact of the London Tech Bridge will go beyond new technology, and will facilitate crucial conversations that surround the tech itself, focused on strategy, ethics, and trust.

“By innovating together across key strategic areas—from problem curation to solution development and fielding—we can truly reach the goal of being interchangeable throughout all we do,” he said. “Using ONR Global’s deep networks as the perfect foundation, we’re very excited to expand the breadth and reach with our Royal Navy partners to deliver capability for defense and beyond.”

innovation NavalX Royal Navy Tech Bridge US Navy 2020-12-11
Tags innovation NavalX Royal Navy Tech Bridge US Navy
Facebook Twitter Stumble linkedin Pinterest More

Related Articles

At-sea rearming deemed a “Main Priority” by SECNAV

At-sea rearming deemed a “Main Priority” by SECNAV

Aaron-Matthew Lariosa 02 Feb 2023
Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) Carlos Del Toro once again emphasized the need for at-sea reloading at this year’s Combat Systems Symposium.
U.S., International Forces Seize Illegal Drugs in Gulf of Oman

U.S., International Forces Seize Illegal Drugs in Gulf of Oman

Naval News Staff 01 Feb 2023
A USGC vessel seized illegal drugs worth a total of $33 million from a vessel transiting international waters in the Gulf of Oman, Jan. 30.
Royal Navy begins NSM anti-ship missile upgrade on Type 23 Frigate

Royal Navy begins NSM anti-ship missile upgrade on Type 23 Frigate

Tayfun Ozberk 31 Jan 2023
Royal Navy's Type 23-class frigate HMS Somerset announced the commencement of the Naval Strike Missile upgrade works on January 30, 2022.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Legal / Privacy Policy
About Us
Contact Us

Copyright © 2022 Naval News
All Rights Reserved