HII’s Mission Technologies division has officially joined the University of Maryland’s A. James Clark School of Engineering Corporate Partners Program, marking a significant step in fostering a collaborative relationship that aims to enhance research and workforce development initiatives.
This partnership will grant HII access to a range of resources, including campus facilities and opportunities for collaboration, along with pathways for intellectual property licensing. These elements are designed to strengthen the connection between academic advancements and industry-driven innovations in the defense sector.
The MATRIX Lab, located in southern Maryland, is a focal point of this initiative, specializing in autonomy and maintaining a close working relationship with the U.S. Department of Defense, specifically the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division in Patuxent River. The lab is dedicated to studies, testing, and workforce training initiatives that support the development of autonomous technologies geared toward enhancing military capabilities.
Garry Schwartz, Chief Operating Officer of Mission Technologies, has recently joined the advisory board of the university’s Autonomous Technologies Research Innovation and Exploration Lab. He highlighted that this collaboration reflects HII’s enduring strategic vision.
“This collaboration underscores HII’s commitment to bridging industry and academia to accelerate innovation in defense and national security,” Schwartz stated, reinforcing the company’s dedication to fostering a synergistic environment where knowledge and expertise can flourish.
In exchange for its partnership, HII intends to actively participate in student recruitment, internships, scholarships, and various programs that will benefit both faculty and students. The company also plans to introduce the HII Lecture Series, which aims to gather experts from government, academia, and industry to discuss the evolving needs in technology and mission-centric challenges.
Dr. Reza Ghodssi, executive director of research and innovation at the A. James Clark School, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, saying, “The Clark School and the MATRIX Lab look forward to converging our research excellence with HII’s industry vision to solve the grand challenges ahead for Maryland and the nation as a whole.” This collaboration signifies a promising future for both HII and the university, paving the way for innovative advancements that could address significant challenges in the defense sector and beyond.
