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Acquisition Update: RDC Opens New Science And Technology Innovation Center With DHS

May 11, 2016

Celebrating the opening of the Coast Guard Science and Technology Innovation Center with a ceremonial ribbon cutting are, from left: Capt. Dennis Evans, Research and Development Center commanding officer; New London Mayor Michael Passero; U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney; Rear Adm. Thomas Jones, Coast Guard Deputy for Mission Support; Robert Griffin, deputy under secretary for DHS Science and Technology; and Anh Duong, director of Borders and Maritime Security for DHS Science and Technology. U.S. Coast Guard photo.

NEW LONDON, Conn. – The Coast Guard Research and Development Center officially opened a joint research facility with the Department of Homeland Security in a ribbon-cutting ceremony May 5 at Fort Trumbull.

The Science and Technology Innovation Center will use innovation, prototyping and rapid integration of high-technology solutions to resolve operational challenges of the Coast Guard and DHS. The collaborative effort between the RDC and DHS Science and Technology was conceived as a response to DHS Secretary Jeh Johnson’s “unity of effort” initiative.

“The general mission of the CG-STIC is to make DHS’ and the Coast Guard’s fielding of emerging technology more rapid and nimble,” said Andrew Niccolai, lead scientist for the CG-STIC. “Instead of taking two to three years to research and develop a solution, we can look to commercial off-the-shelf solutions or tailor some fast-tracked solution.”

The CG-STIC will also look at ideas that could be rapid improvements to existing products, such as ice cages for oil skimmers or mass rescue systems.

“If industry were to come out with a great new product, or great new improvement, to a piece of gear we already use, the CG-STIC would be able to evaluate that in real time with operational units and make a recommendation for incorporation and implementation,” Niccolai said.

At the ribbon cutting, Coast Guard Deputy for Mission Support Rear Adm. Thomas Jones said that the Innovation Center “supports the strategic goal of offering technology alternatives through innovation.” Robert Griffin, deputy under secretary for DHS Science and Technology, echoed Jones’ call for innovation in this era of emerging threats and rapidly expanding technology, using the Arctic as an example: “The quicker we can get technology to the (Arctic), the stronger and safer it will be.”

Capt. Dennis Evans, RDC commanding officer, emphasized the cooperative spirit of the Innovation Center in his remarks. “We recognize our collaboration is critical in transitioning technology and innovation to meet the needs of the department, the Coast Guard and the American public at strong value to the taxpayer.”

Early prototypes of the Maritime Object Tracking Technology developed using commercial-off-the-shelf items and additive manufacturing. U.S. Coast Guard photo.

The Innovation Center is currently prototyping a Maritime Object Tracking Technology that will allow easier tracking and recovery of objects thrown from suspect vessels. After determining a solution was not readily available, the CG-STIC combined additive manufacturing with commercial-off-the-shelf products to create the initial prototype. In addition to the original purpose of marking contraband thrown from vessels during a pursuit, the tool will use the Automatic Identification System to mark derelict vessels and other hazards to navigation. This will help prevent multiple re-reporting and help reduce the time and money spent on responses.

The U.S. Navy is helping the Innovation Center refine and field test the MOTT device and obtain a National Stock Number, which will allow easy purchase by other DHS and Department of Defense units.

The CG-STIC is also pursuing funding to evaluate commercially available underwater imaging systems that can detect hidden containers attached to ships that can be used to smuggle contraband or hazardous devices. Persistent and remote surveillance beyond manned dive teams could be utilized by Customs and Border Protection and the Federal Bureau of Investigation as well as Coast Guard sectors and other DHS units in their inspections of maritime vessels.

Future projects cover a wide range of capabilities, including firefighting gloves, petroleum detecting devices, backscatter screening and the adaptation of safety equipment to the Arctic environment.

For additional event photos: https://wwwwww.flickr.com/photos/uscoastguardacademy/albums/72157668008475035

For more information: Research, Development, Test and Evaluation program page

Last Modified 1/25/2017