Southern Indiana Business Report
CRANE – Indiana University announced this week an extension of its strategic partnership with Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division.
In a story reported by Inside Indiana Business, IU said the partnership is designed to create a pathway for technology developed at Crane to move through the commercialization pipeline and increase the number of startup and licensing deals for both partners. The partnership was first established in 2012 through the signing of an intermediary agreement, which was renewed in 2017.
The extension was marked by a ceremonial signing event at Naval Support Activity Crane. IU Bloomington Provost Rahul Shrivastav and NSWC commanding officer Capt. Thomas McKay signed the extension before touring the base.
Over the last 10 years, the partnership has created collaborative efforts in areas such as high-performance computing, artificial intelligence, machine learning, cybersecurity and regional economic development.
“The partnership renewal is the latest in a recent series of IU collaborative activities with Crane that continue to link IU’s teaching, research and development resources with initiatives at Crane that are critical to strengthening national defense and security, advancing economic development and improving the well-being of citizens of Indiana and beyond,” the university said in a news release.
NSWC Crane employs more than 3,800 workers, about 2,500 of which are scientists, engineers and technicians.
Among the additional collaborative efforts between IU and NSWC Crane is a permanent, shared laboratory space on the Bloomington campus. In 2021, IU launched the Academic Accelerator to promote the development of high-tech ventures, including within the state’s innovation defense ecosystem at NSWC Crane.