Streamlining the US Navy's innovation process: A conversation with Acting CTO Justin Fanelli. [Special Edition]
Jul 28, 2024
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Justin Fanelli, the Acting CTO of the US Navy, dives into how the Navy is revolutionizing its innovation process through private sector collaboration. He discusses the crucial link between military prowess and economic strength, alongside the hurdles entrepreneurs face when transitioning ideas into practice. Fanelli also highlights the Navy's shift to portfolio management for enhancing operational effectiveness and the necessity of data-driven decisions. Finally, he underscores the significance of clear communication and feedback in successfully integrating new technologies.
The US Navy is enhancing national security by strengthening public-private partnerships that leverage diverse innovations from the defense sector.
Focusing on outcome-driven metrics allows the Navy to strategically adopt advanced technologies while divesting outdated ones more effectively.
Deep dives
Enhancing Public-Private Partnerships
The Department of the Navy is increasingly focusing on strengthening public-private partnerships to enhance national and economic security. New entrants and existing private sector partners are collaborating more effectively, driven by the mindset that these alliances can contribute significantly to national defense. By expanding the number of players in the market, the Navy aims to leverage diverse ideas and solutions from the defense sector. This collaborative environment fosters innovation that enhances military capabilities and supports the overall mission of national security.
Accelerating Innovation Adoption
The naval innovation process has evolved to emphasize faster and more intelligent adoption of new technologies. Instead of merely filling existing gaps, the Navy now evaluates technologies based on outcome-driven metrics to assess their potential impact. This approach allows for more strategic divestment of outdated technologies and more effective reinvestment in advanced solutions. The focus on this dual-use technology—recognizing applications for both military and civilian sectors—ensures that innovations not only enhance defense capabilities but also benefit the broader economy.
Bridging the 'Valley of Death'
Efforts are underway to tackle the challenge known as the 'valley of death,' where innovative solutions struggle to transition from development to deployment. Various funding initiatives and programs, like the AppFit fund and the renewed SBIR program, aim to support cybersecurity companies in navigating this gap. These initiatives provide essential financial and operational assistance to help emerging technologies mature and find their place within the Department of Defense. By fostering a smoother transition and better communication between innovators and the military, the Navy is positioning itself to effectively adopt groundbreaking technologies.
Aligning Technology with Mission Outcomes
The Navy's approach to integrating technology focuses on understanding and aligning with mission-specific outcomes rather than merely acquiring capabilities. This requires evaluating the relevance and efficiency of technologies through a structured horizon model that ranks technologies based on their maturity and potential impact. Organizations are urged to emphasize outcome-driven investments that address pressing operational needs while eliminating outdated technologies. This reframing shifts the focus from a reactive acquisition mindset to a proactive and strategic partnership with industry, ultimately enhancing the effectiveness of defense operations.
N2K’s Brandon Karpf speaks with guest Justin Fanelli, Acting CTO of the US Navy, about the US Navy streamlining the innovation process. For some background, you can refer to this article.