Navy Secretary Highlights Innovation and Collaboration During Georgia Tech Research Institute Visit

ATLANTA – October 23, 2024 – In a significant visit to the Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI), Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro underscored the critical role of research and development in sustaining naval supremacy and enhancing military preparedness. Addressing the students and faculty of Georgia Tech, along with Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps cadets from Georgia Tech, Spelman College, and Morehouse College, Secretary Del Toro emphasized their pivotal contributions to the realm of national security.

Highlighting the Navy’s strategic partnerships with higher education institutions, the Secretary praised GTRI’s integral role in advancing cutting-edge technology for the Navy and the Department of Defense.

“Georgia Tech is undeniably a hub of innovation, and GTRI’s work is essential to ensuring our Sailors and Marines have the technological advantage in any confrontation,” stated Secretary Del Toro. “The initiatives in areas such as artificial intelligence, cyber-physical systems, and electromagnetic spectrum operations align with our strategic objectives.”

Del Toro spotlighted GTRI’s wide-ranging contributions to naval operations:

• Collaborative Research: Aiding the Office of Naval Research and other Department of Defense entities in meeting technological demands.
• R&D Contributions: Designing advanced systems, including autonomous vehicles and electronic warfare solutions.
• Prototyping and Testing: Offering facilities for evaluating technologies against military standards.
• Technology Transition: Converting research into viable applications that bolster naval and broader defense capabilities.

The Secretary addressed the essence of innovation amid shifting global challenges. “Emerging technologies will define tomorrow’s battles, and embracing them is crucial,” he asserted. “We are in a race for innovation, and victory is imperative.”

Del Toro outlined several Department of Navy innovation initiatives:

• The Naval Science and Technology Strategy: Directing investments in science and technology.
• The Naval Innovation Center at the Naval Postgraduate School: Expediting the application of research from lab to field.
• The Department of the Navy’s Science and Technology Board: Offering counsel on technological advancements.
• The Disruptive Capabilities Office: Incorporating emerging technologies to fill capability gaps.

Capt. Jesus Rodriguez, Atlanta Region NROTC Commanding Officer, expressed gratitude for the visit. “The Secretary’s dialogue was invaluable for our future officers, underscoring the crucial nature of continued scientific and technological studies.”

The visit concluded with a call to action. Secretary Del Toro called on students to embed innovation throughout the department’s operational strategy, essential for facing contemporary and future challenges.