About this Event
USMSM Doing Business with Government Agencies Speaker Series
Session 4: NSWC Indian Head’s Technology Partnerships as Critical Tools to Arsenal Success
Presented by the University System of Maryland at Southern Maryland (USMSM)
How can businesses, researchers, and technology innovators partner with a U.S. Navy public arsenal to accelerate innovation and support the nation’s defense mission?
Join the University System of Maryland at Southern Maryland (USMSM) for the fourth session of our Doing Business with Government Agencies Speaker Series, featuring Phillip J. Cole, Ph.D., PMP, Director of Technology Partnerships & Rapid Transition at Naval Surface Warfare Center Indian Head Division (NSWC IHD). As the Navy’s only public arsenal, NSWC Indian Head has unique authorities and capabilities that enable the command to collaborate with industry, academia, and other partners to advance technology and deliver solutions for the nation’s warfighters. Technology partnerships—including Technology Transfer Agreements, Cooperative Research and Development Agreements (CRADAs), and public-private partnerships—can provide important pathways for organizations to engage with NSWC IHD and contribute to technology development and transition.
Dr. Cole will discuss how these partnerships support the Arsenal’s mission, strengthen the defense industrial base, and help move innovative technologies from development toward operational capability.
What You’ll Learn
During this engaging presentation, participants will explore:
- How NSWC Indian Head uses technology partnerships to support its mission and accelerate innovation
- The role of Technology Transfer Agreements and Cooperative Research and Development Agreements (CRADAs) in facilitating collaboration between government and industry
- How public-private partnerships can create opportunities for businesses, researchers, and technology organizations
- Pathways for industry and academic partners to engage with NSWC Indian Head
- The role of the Maryland Energetics Innovation Hub (MEIH) in connecting technology development with the nation’s weapons industrial base
- How technology development and rapid transition support the Navy’s Organic Industrial Base
- Opportunities for advancing technologies in partnership with government organizations
- The importance of collaboration among government, industry, academia, and regional innovation ecosystems
- How technology partnerships can help strengthen manufacturing capabilities and support critical national security missions
Event Schedule
5:00 p.m. – Doors Open & Networking
Connect with business leaders, entrepreneurs, government representatives, technology professionals, researchers, educators, and community partners before the presentation.
5:30–6:30 p.m. – Featured Presentation
NSWC Indian Head’s Technology Partnerships as Critical Tools to Arsenal Success
Event Details
Date: December 16, 2026Time:
Doors Open: 5:00 p.m.
Presentation: 5:30–6:30 p.m.Location:
University System of Maryland at Southern Maryland (USMSM)
SMART Building
44219 Airport Road
California, Maryland 20619
Classroom 2303
Meet the Speaker
Phillip J. Cole, Ph.D., PMP
Director, Technology Partnerships & Rapid Transition
Naval Surface Warfare Center Indian Head Division (NSWC IHD)Dr. Phillip J. Cole serves as Director of Technology Partnerships and Rapid Transition at NSWC Indian Head Division, where he oversees Technology Transfer Agreements, including Cooperative Research and Development Agreements (CRADAs), as well as public-private partnerships. He also leads the Maryland Energetics Innovation Hub (MEIH), a program designed to establish a technology bridge for energetic materials and accelerate development within the nation’s weapons industrial base.
Previously, Dr. Cole led NSWC Indian Head’s Energetics Manufacturing Department, focusing on building the capability and capacity needed to address Fleet requirements and strengthen the Navy’s Organic Industrial Base.
Throughout his career, Dr. Cole has held leadership and technical positions spanning national security, technology development, test and evaluation, advanced manufacturing, and nuclear forensics. His experience includes leadership roles at the Nevada National Security Site, Defense Threat Reduction Agency, Sandia National Laboratories, and the National Nuclear Security Administration.
Dr. Cole holds undergraduate degrees in Chemical Engineering and Materials Science and Engineering from Northwestern University and a doctorate in Materials Science and Engineering from the University of Minnesota.
Who Should Attend?
This session is designed for:
- Small and emerging businesses interested in working with federal agencies
- Government contractors and subcontractors
- Technology and engineering companies
- Research and development organizations
- Advanced manufacturing companies
- Entrepreneurs and innovators
- University faculty, researchers, and students
- Defense industry professionals
- Business leaders and executives
- Organizations interested in public-private partnerships
- Companies exploring federal technology transfer opportunities
- Workforce and economic development professionals
- Community and regional partners
Whether you are a business looking to expand government partnerships, a researcher interested in technology transition, an entrepreneur exploring federal opportunities, or an organization supporting Southern Maryland’s innovation ecosystem, this session will show how technology partnerships can connect organizations with NSWC Indian Head’s mission and capabilities.
Why Attend?
NSWC Indian Head plays a distinctive role in the nation's defense enterprise as the Navy’s only public arsenal. Its ability to partner with industry, academia, and other organizations creates opportunities to advance technologies, strengthen manufacturing capabilities, and accelerate solutions supporting the Fleet and national security. This session offers a valuable opportunity to learn directly from a senior NSWC Indian Head leader about the mechanisms, programs, and partnership models that can help organizations engage with the Arsenal and contribute to its technology and innovation mission.
Registration is free; however, advance registration is encouraged as seating is limited.
For questions, please contact [email protected].
Event venue & nearby stays
44219 Airport Rd, 44219 Airport Road, California, United States
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