CRDG hosts largest Connect to Mission event featuring NSWC Spectrum Warfare Department

WESTGATE@CRANE Technology Park, (Odon) Indiana (Feb. 21, 2024) - Crane Regional Defense Group (CRDG) hosted Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division (NSWC Crane) for the largest ever Connect to Mission (C2M), featuring the Spectrum Warfare Department. 

“C2M events serve both NSWC Crane and our partners by creating an environment for transparent discussions on NSWC Crane’s goals, strategic direction, and future requirements,” said Dr. Kyle Werner, Deputy Technical Director at NSWC Crane. “Our ability to deliver timely solutions is greatly aided through our ecosystem, and these information sharing forums are key to growing these partnerships in service of the Warfighter.”

The interactive conference brought together over 200 current and prospective defense contractors representing more than 100 businesses from across the U.S. The program focused on the Spectrum Warfare Department and its needs and challenges related to the focus areas of Electronic Warfare (surface, air, and expeditionary), Radar Technologies, and Force Level Electronic Warfare.

“NSWC Crane’s Spectrum Warfare Department houses the DoD’s largest concentration of Electronic Warfare (EW) expertise, with more than 1,000 civilian workers and more than 650 contractors,” said Mr. Zahid Din, NSWC Crane SWS Department Director. “For NSWC Crane to be successful we must partner across the ecosystem and leverage expertise to meet our EW mission requirements. The demand for our products and services continues to grow given the Navy and DoD requirements in an agile environment in support of electromagnetic spectrum operations. Our tag line has been Control the Spectrum Control the fight.”

The agenda featured three interactive panel discussions, multiple networking opportunities and remarks from NSWC leadership. Division managers, chief strategists and engineers, contracting officers and more covered topics from how to earn a contract, to how the divisions are assisting the warfighter today, and how attendees could best position themselves to join the mission. Additionally special guest Brian “Hinks” Hinkley, president of the Association of Old Crows (AOC) and vice president at Amentum, provided a presentation on the importance of electromagnetic warfare and its significant impact at NSWC Crane. 

“Crane is clearly leading the way for DoD Electromagnetic Warfare into the future giving our warfighters a decisive tactical advantage in the increasingly complex EMS battle space," said Hinkley. 

CRDG president Kent Parisien also provided highlights from the CRDG annual report, which outlines the organization's accomplishments throughout the previous year as well as its future goals for 2024. Over 1,000 attendees from more than 20 states joined CRDG for events in 2023, and membership has grown to nearly 80 businesses ranging from small, local organizations to global prime contractors. 

“CRDG continuously seeks ways to bring industry and installation leadership together, specifically to collaborate on opportunities to support the warfighter. We believe C2M continues to provide the region with a new forum to aggressively expand the innovation ecosystem and accelerate delivery of solutions,” said Parisien. “These events, our membership and partnership network continue to grow, and we look forward to another successful year.”

C2M is an ongoing series hosted by CRDG to continuously highlight a NSWC Crane department and provide insight and understanding into the needs of their mission areas, challenges and opportunities for collaboration. The next C2M will be held Tuesday, June 4, and feature NSWC Crane’s Global Deterrence and Defense Department. More information and registration for this event will be available soon. To be added to future event invitations, learn more about CRDG or become a member, visit craneregionaldefensegroup.org.