Sen. Cramer Tours Naval Research Lab, Highlights North Dakota UAS Capabilities

Source: United States Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND)

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Seapower Subcommittee, visited Chief of Naval Research Rear Admiral Lorin Selby at the Naval Research Lab (NRL), the corporate research laboratory for the United States Navy and the United States Marine Corps in Washington DC.

“It was great to visit the Naval Research Lab for a first-hand look at the Navy’s emerging capabilities and technologies, and to discuss future research opportunities for North Dakota’s universities,” said Senator Cramer. “Innovative technology is crucial to outpacing competition from our adversaries, and North Dakota is rich with research initiatives involving Unmanned Aerial Systems, advanced material coatings, barnacle research, and cyber knowhow.”

The NRL conducts basic scientific research, applied research, technological development, and prototyping.

The senator brought Rear Admiral Selby to Grand Forks in October to speak at the 15th annual Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) Summit at the Alerus Center, where he highlighted North Dakota’s technology sector capabilities and the need for technology innovation to keep up with our competitors, specifically China. Senator Cramer and Rear Admiral Selby also discussed North Dakota’s technology capabilities when he testified before the SASC Emerging Threats and Capabilities Subcommittee at a hearing in April.