Blue Technology Innovation Unleashed at Newport’s BlueTIDE Event
NEWPORT, R.I. – On August 28, the 2025 Blue Technology Innovation Demonstration Event, aptly termed BlueTIDE, convened at the Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC) Division Newport’s Narragansett Bay Test Facility (NBTF) and Sail Newport in Fort Adams State Park.
This pivotal event featured fifteen forward-thinking technology companies engaged in a mission-focused prize challenge, alongside numerous exhibitors showcasing their innovations.
Coordinated by NUWC Division Newport’s Northeast Tech Bridge, in partnership with nonprofit 401 Tech Bridge, BlueTIDE serves as a nexus between pioneering businesses and key stakeholders from the U.S. Navy and Department of Defense, expediting the delivery of vital capabilities to the warfighter.
“This occasion has provided an extraordinary platform for industry leaders to exhibit technological advances to a diverse array of government technical experts, all of whom are instrumental in enhancing subsea and seabed capabilities,” remarked Division Newport Technical Director Marie Bussiere.
“Our reliance on industry is unwavering, as they are crucial in delivering these essentials to the fleet. The companies participating in BlueTIDE, along with numerous maritime innovators within the southeastern New England region, act as force multipliers for the U.S. Navy.”
The prize challenge segment represented the culmination of extensive preparation. Launched publicly in March, the challenge invited companies to engage in a subsea and seabed mission focused on the surveillance and safeguarding of undersea infrastructure, such as telecommunications cables.
Over 60 global entities expressed interest, hailing from countries including the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Norway, Finland, Greece, Switzerland, and India. Following a rigorous multi-phase selection process, 15 finalists were chosen for the in-water demonstration at the NBTF.
Key technological focal points included autonomous undersea vehicles, cross-domain communications, high-resolution imaging, and an array of sensor technologies.
Engineers and scientists from Division Newport meticulously evaluated the participants’ performances through a detailed scoring rubric during the mission vignette, which required the collection and analysis of intelligence regarding potential threats to the infrastructure, subsequently relayed to the Maritime Operations Center (MOC) for responsive action.
By day’s end, four companies triumphed, each awarded a grant of $50,000 for their cutting-edge innovations.
“From the perspective of the warfare center, this event highlighted our commitment to making NUWC and the broader Navy enterprise more approachable for the industry,” stated Northeast Tech Bridge Director Julie Kallfelz.
“We are diligently seeking avenues for engagement, particularly with small- and medium-sized businesses and non-traditional entities. This prize challenge added an exhilarating competitive dimension to our collaboration.”
Kallfelz indicated that both Division Newport and participating industries emerged from the event enriched, with follow-up collaborations on the horizon.
“This event has catalyzed invaluable dialogue between our engineers and industry representatives, enabling exploration of viable technologies for addressing Navy challenges,” she noted.
At Sail Newport, Division Newport scientists and engineers seized the opportunity to familiarize themselves with groundbreaking technologies, interact with industry counterparts, and observe demonstrations of products capable of furthering current or future Navy endeavors.
Kevin Quinn, an engineer within the Sensors and Sonar Systems Department, noted his initial experience at BlueTIDE, during which he engaged in meaningful discussions with a firm that develops small unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs).
“As research and development engineers, we continuously strive to remain informed of the latest technological advancements by scouring various sources. Nevertheless, events like BlueTIDE propel us beyond our immediate projects, presenting new opportunities,” Quinn expressed.
“Often, it is through personal interactions, facilitated by spontaneous ‘aha!’ moments in conversation, that breakthrough innovations materialize. I encountered several such enlightening discussions at BlueTIDE, potentially leading to essential capabilities for our multifaceted upcoming missions.”
Dr. Kaelyn Gamel, a research scientist within the Ranges, Engineering, and Analysis Department, investigates animal locomotion and its potential applications in robotic technology. At BlueTIDE, she was captivated by an autonomous robotic “dog,” eager to delve into its commands and movements.
“The priority lies in identifying prevailing technologies while also discerning unexplored research inquiries,” Gamel elaborated.
“Can we draw insights from biological systems that have evolved over millions of years? What methodologies might facilitate more efficient navigation through our environment?
“Such events unveil the existing landscape of technology, positioning us to innovate further while leveraging prior advancements. This retrospective prevents unnecessary reinvention.”
While BlueTIDE attracted upwards of 600 attendees, Kallfelz underscored its dual significance: not only does it pave the way for technological breakthroughs among Division Newport scientists and engineers, but it also fosters economic growth within the state and region.
“It is in the Navy’s strategic interest to cultivate a flourishing Blue Tech economy here,” she asserted.
“Our objective is to orchestrate events that facilitate engagement between investors, customers, suppliers, partners, and government representatives, prompting substantive discussions regarding the challenges we seek to address and what lies ahead.”
“Division Newport is committed to enhancing the professional development of our personnel,” remarked McGovern. “With this opportunity available, we encourage those contemplating advancement to apply.”
Tracing its origins to the Naval Torpedo Station established on Goat Island in Newport Harbor in 1869, NUWC Newport holds the distinction of being the oldest warfare center in the United States.
Under the leadership of Capt. Kevin Behm, NUWC Newport, operates major detachments in West Palm Beach, Florida, and Andros Island in the Bahamas, alongside test facilities located in New York, Florida, and Connecticut.
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