Click here for the interview with Mr. Peter Reddy Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy (DASN) for Research, Development, Testing, and Engineering (RDT&E)
During an interview with Kail Macias, NAVFAC EXWC Technical Director, Mr. Reddy shared his insights on the NR&DE, drawing from his experience both within the establishment and in his current leadership position at the Pentagon.
His decade of experience working at the Naval Information Warfare Center Atlantic, he said, gave him significant appreciation for the NR&DE's widespread capabilities. He added that now, working from the Pentagon as the DASN and being responsible for the NR&DE's sponsorship and awareness, he has the opportunity to see even more of the organization's reach and power.
He noted that, in spending time with different warfare centers, such as EXWC, he gains a better understanding of the NR&DE's capabilities and a deeper appreciation for the "real power, national impact, capability of the Naval Research and Development Establishment."
The 2027 Imperative: Readiness and Resilience
A key focus of the discussion centered on the importance of preparing for potential challenges by the year 2027. Mr. Reddy emphasized that this date, driven by potential adversaries, has served as a crucial rallying point for the Navy and the NR&DE.
Mr. Reddy stated that the year 2027 has been a point of focus for the Navy, given concerns about potential adversaries. He explained that this has helped align military services, and the Navy and NR&DE have rallied to improve preparedness, adjust mindsets, improve processes, and become more resilient and able to respond if the nation needs to go to war. He emphasized that "we've all been talking about one January 2027 as an important pacing date in the future."
He outlined two critical areas of focus:
Rapid Technological Adaption:
Mr. Reddy emphasized the scientists and engineers across the NR&DE, including EXWC, will need to rapidly adapt to changes on the battlefield. This means getting feedback from the fleet and making quick adjustments based on what the adversary is doing, or if equipment is not functioning as expected. The goal is that EXWC will be "getting feedback from the from the field and from the fleet, and making those very quick adjustments when the enemy comes up with something or something isn't working the way we anticipated."
Workforce Readiness and Resilience:
Mr. Reddy explained that it is important to focus on the individual wartime readiness of each warfare center and lab. He stated that this includes making sure the workforce has the correct documents, and that they have the mental resilience to work long hours and deal with any challenges that occur during times of combat. He stated that "the other aspect of it is just the individual wartime readiness of the individual warfare center or lab, our workforce, our capabilities."
Mr. Reddy added that progress has been made toward getting more prepared, but that there is still work to be done. He stated that this includes making sure that the workforce understands what sailors and marines may face, and that the workforce is ready to support them as they deploy.
NAVFAC EXWC: A Hub of Critical Capabilities
Mr. Reddy expressed significant admiration for the diverse portfolio of NAVFAC EXWC, highlighting its unique and vital contributions to the NR&DE. He stated that even though NAVFAC EXWC is smaller, the organization's diverse portfolio has capabilities that are vital in times of both peace and war.
He added that if you're looking for an expert on a subject, you can probably find them at EXWC, saying "'Do we have an expert for that?' 'Yeah, we do. That person's at EXWC.'"
He praised EXWC's expertise in ocean engineering, engineering support, and expeditionary support. He emphasized that while naval forces are known for aircraft, missiles, and submarines, these high-end capabilities rely on other support. He explained that the logistics, engineering, and ocean research enable the naval forces to do their jobs. He likened NAVFAC EXWC's work to the "secret sauce" that keeps everything running.
Looking to the Future
The visit concluded with a renewed sense of commitment to the NR&DE's mission. Mr. Reddy expressed his optimism for the future, particularly after meeting with NAVFAC EXWC's younger professionals. He noted that he had the chance to meet and speak with NAVFAC EXWC's newer staff, and that the future is in good hands with such a bright and enterprising group of engineers, contract specialists, and finance personnel.
The exchange underscored the critical importance of continued investment in naval research and development, as well as the dedication and expertise of the professionals within the NR&DE who are working tirelessly to ensure the Navy's readiness for the challenges of tomorrow.