Naval Surface Warfare Center Indian Head Division (NSWC IHD) hosted the 2022 CAD/PAD Technical Exchange Workshop (TEW) at the College of Southern Maryland (CSM) Velocity Center in Indian Head, Maryland from July 12-14. The CAD/PAD TEW is a biennial event focused on science and technology initiatives that will improve the ability to respond to warfighter readiness. This year’s theme was “Delivering Energy and Exit Capabilities to Meet Future Aviation Readiness and Capabilities that will exceed our adversaries”.

The workshop’s mission is to advance the development of energy solutions, manufacturing technologies, health monitoring and safety of the cartridge and propellant actuated device (CAD/PAD) portfolio. Hundreds of representatives from industry, academia, NATO, the Defense Contract Management Agency, NASA, the Norwegian Defense Materiel Agency and other government agencies gathered for the event, which featured more than three dozen presentations on topics including supply chain challenges, technology development and energy resources. availability, as well as networking opportunities.

“I am excited about events like this where we are able to bring together all of your knowledge, skills, abilities and experience to deliver this exquisite technical capability for the warfighter,” said Captain Eric Correll, Commanding Officer of NSWC IHD, in his opening remarks. “The technical capability that this group brings is so critical and important… not only to save lives, but also to get ahead of tomorrow’s adversaries, because they will likely have immense technical and industrial capability against which we have not yet had to. struggle over the previous three decades.”

One of the highlights of the event was the keynote speech by US Air Force Lt. Col. Tyler “Mask” Stark about his experience behind enemy lines at the start of the Libyan Civil War. During his first combat sortie on March 21, 2011, Stark entered a flat spin over land, which forced him and his co-pilot to eject over enemy territory. After a hard landing, Stark was separated from his co-pilot and forced to facilitate his own rescue nearly 12 hours later. His poignant story underlined the importance of CAD/PAD products for the combatant and knowledge of his equipment.

“Of all the things you have to worry about, you don’t want to worry about your ejection seat,” Stark said. “We’re still confident that ejection seats will work, and that’s your testimony. We wouldn’t be back here without all the hard work you do.

“This meeting is one of our most important and anticipated events of the year. The venue of the week offers an incredible opportunity for individuals to connect and engage with a variety of subject matter experts, develop professional relationships, and be part of a team that is committed to solving challenges. of the real world,” said CAD/PAD Joint Program Office (JPO) Director Greg Longworth in his welcome letter to attendees.

The CAD/PAD Technical Exchange Workshop (TEW) was established in 1994 as a forum for technical exchange and discussion regarding CAD/PAD products and related technologies. The TEW is hosted by the CAD/PAD JPO and provides a unique opportunity for the CAD/PAD community to share ideas and ongoing advances. To learn more about the workshop, visit https://go.usa.gov/xuc7t.

NSWC IHD – a field activity of Naval Sea Systems Command and part of the Navy’s Scientific and Technical Establishment – is the leader in munitions, energy and EOD solutions. The Division focuses on energy research, development, testing, evaluation, in-service support, manufacturing and disposal; and provides warfighters with solutions to detect, locate, access, identify, secure, recover, exploit and eliminate explosive ordnance threats.