Press Release
☷DEVCOM Soldier Center hosts Warfighter Innovation in Science and Engineering Challenge
U.S. Army ( By Press Release office)
May 03,2022
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NATICK , Mass . – Innovative solutions to real - world challenges were on full display at the second annual Warfighter Innovation in Science and Engineering ( WISE ) challenge , a virtual event held on April 26–27 . The U . S . Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Soldier Center , or DEVCOM SC , organized and hosted the team - based , STEM ( Science , Technology , Engineering and Math ) competition . Five prestigious academies came together to compete at the event . Cadets/Midshipmen from the United States Military Academy ( USMA ) , the United States Naval Academy ( USNA ) , the United States Coast Guard Academy ( USCGA ) , the United States Air Force Academy ( USAFA ) , and the United States Merchant Marine Academy ( USMMA ) presented their projects that addressed service - specific challenges . Twelve teams from the academies competed . Douglas Tamilio , the director of DEVCOM SC , conceived and sponsored the event , which was approved by the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army for Research and Technology . “The WISE Challenge is an incredibly important event for the Department of Defense , ” said Tamilio . “It fosters innovation . It inspires creativity , and it enables collaboration among the services . It brings together seasoned professionals and emerging young talent from the academies to help us solve hard problems that each of the services faces . ” Michael Codega , DEVCOM SC’s chief technology officer , hosted the event . “The Warfighter Innovation in Science and Engineering Challenge is a great way for the cadets and midshipmen at our nation’s academies to showcase their talent and abilities , ” said Codega . A panel of esteemed judges evaluated the submitted solutions/projects for innovation , technical approach/analysis , operational impact to the Warfighter , and how well the idea was communicated to the audience . Projects ranged from additive manufacturing of ceramic materials to a remote operated weapons station to robotic infiltration of underground facilities – to name just a few of the innovative solutions to real - world challenges . DEVCOM SC’s Elizabeth McCoy , who oversaw the coordination of the WISE Challenge , views the competition as a conduit to encourage increased networking between participating service academies and DOD stakeholders . The event culminated in an award ceremony hosted by DEVCOM SC . Two projects won honorable mention , including USMMA’s “Maritime Applications of Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing” and USCGA’s “Climate Change , Ships , & Bering Sea: Using an Open - source Machine Learning Tool to Predict the Future Distribution of Commercial Fishing Vessels . ” Third prize was awarded to the USMA’s project , “Molecular Countermeasures Project ( Drug Discovery ) . ” In a surprise twist at the awards ceremony , judges did not select a second place winner but instead selected two projects in a tie for first place . USAFA’s project , “Morphing Missile for Hypersonic Missile Defense , ” won first place , as did USNA’s project , “DDG Tie Down Redesign . ” “The participation , creativity , and level of innovation and academic achievement is really just incredible , ” said Codega . “What these cadets and midshipmen represent is the future of our military and our nation . Based on this , I would say that the future is looking very bright indeed . ” _________________________ About DEVCOM Soldier Center: The DEVCOM Soldier Center is committed to discovering , developing , and advancing science and technology solutions that ensure America’s warfighters are optimized , protected , and lethal . DEVCOM Soldier Center supports all of the Army ' s Modernization efforts , with the Soldier Lethality and Synthetic Training Environment Cross Functional Teams being the DEVCOM Soldier Center’s chief areas of focus . The center’s science and engineering expertise are combined with collaborations with industry , DOD , and academia to advance Soldier and squad performance . The center supports the Army as it transforms from being adaptive to driving innovation to support a Multi - Domain Operations Capable Force of 2028 and a MDO Ready Force of 2035 . DEVCOM Soldier Center is constantly working to strengthen Soldiers’ performance to increase readiness and support for warfighters who are organized , trained , and equipped for prompt and sustainable ground combat . STEM ( Science , Technology , Engineering , and Math ) outreach and mentoring the next generation of scientists and engineers is also an important part of the mission of DEVCOM Soldier Center . The mentoring of students by Army scientists and engineers benefits the students and their communities . It also increases young people ' s awareness of potential Army job opportunities and helps provide the Army with potential new talent , helping to fuel innovative ideas that benefit the nation ' s warfighters and the nation as a whole . DEVCOM Soldier Center is part of DEVCOM . Through collaboration across the command ' s core technical competencies , DEVCOM leads in the discovery , development and delivery of the technology - based capabilities required to make Soldiers more lethal to win our nation ' s wars and come home safely . DEVCOM is a major subordinate command of the U . S . Army Futures Command .
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