ARLINGTON, Va. (NNS) -- For the first time ever, the general public will be admitted free to the Naval Future Force Science and Technology EXPO general exhibit hall Feb. 4-5 where they will be able to see the Electromagnetic Railgun, an autonomous swarmboat, a firefighting robot and much more.
Held at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C., the EXPO is the Navy's premiere science and technology (S&T) event, held every two years to showcase some of the Navy's latest technologies and bring together the brightest minds from around the world to share information, discuss research opportunities and build S&T partnerships between the Navy, Marine Corps, industry and academia.
"We are pleased to be able to present some of the important technologies that will play a significant role in future operations for our Sailors and Marines," said Dr. Walter F. Jones, executive director of the Office of Naval Research (ONR). "This EXPO will offer insights into the important scientific research behind our Arctic studies; directed-energy technologies; and advances in autonomy and virtual training-to name just a few."
This year's EXPO will feature other historic firsts for registered attendees as well, including a first-ever panel gathering by the S&T chiefs from the Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Army and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency.
In addition, the EXPO will reveal the newest findings from ONR-sponsored researchers in the Arctic. As Arctic sea ice levels change, the Navy has taken a leading role in determining what is taking place in the vast region, and developing options on how to respond.
"ONR's marginal ice zone field experiment in 2014 was the largest experiment of the year in the Arctic Ocean-and the largest of its kind, ever," said Dr. Martin Jeffries, program officer for Arctic and Global Prediction at ONR. "At the EXPO, we'll be bringing in four of the researchers who conducted that study, and get insights into the changes and challenges of the Arctic."
A new video focused on the Navy's Arctic research will be released at the EXPO, to complement the speaker session.
EXPO attendees will also hear updates on the Shipboard Autonomous Firefighting Robot (SAFFiR), a program taking on new challenges and pushing the boundaries in robotics and autonomous capabilities. A video highlighting recent developments in that program will be released at the EXPO as well.
Other prominent speakers include Dr. Patricia Falcone, associate director of national security and international affairs at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy; Adm. Jonathan Greenert, chief of naval operations; Dr. Robert Ballard, famed oceanographer who discovered the Titanic; and many more.
For a complete agenda, and to register, visit: www.onr.navy.mil/expo.
Only registered attendees will be able to attend the panels, breakout rooms and talks by scientists, engineers and naval leadership.
ONR provides the science and technology necessary to maintain the Navy and Marine Corps' technological advantage. Through its affiliates, ONR is a leader in science and technology with engagement in 50 states, 70 countries, 1,035 institutions of higher learning and 914 industry partners. ONR employs more than 1,000 people, comprising uniformed, civilian and contract personnel, with additional employees at the Naval Research Lab in Washington, D.C.
For more news from Office of Naval Research, visit www.navy.mil/local/onr/.