November 18, 2022
On November 3rd, representatives from North Carolina’s state and federal government, economic development, defense, and higher education community were invited to visit Fort Bragg to highlight Soldiers’ need for innovative technologies to maintain combat readiness on the battle field.
Organizations represented included the Economic Development Partnership of NC, NC General Assembly, Office of Senator Thom Tillis, NC Department of Commerce, NC Military Affairs Commission, Army Research Office, Assistant Office of the Secretary Army for Acquisition, Logistics and Technology (ASAALT), USAF AFWERX, the USAF SPARK, National Security Innovation Network, Defense Alliance of NC, NC Military Business Center, NC Defense Technology Transition Office, Fayetteville Cumberland Economic Development, Duke University, UNC Chapel Hill, NC State University, and East Carolina University.
Fort Bragg is Home of the Airborne and Special Operations and is often called “the center of the military universe.” Fort Bragg is the largest U.S. military installation in terms of population, with approximately 48,000 troops and another 16,000 civilians who work on the post. With an economic impact of over $8.2 billion annually, the post supports a population of roughly 260,000, including military families, contractors, retirees and others.
North Carolina’s academic, economic and private sector industries have longstanding partnerships with Fort Bragg to support the needs of the military base and to contribute to the state’s growing defense innovation ecosystem. Major General (Retired) Rodney Anderson, chair of the NC Military Affairs Commission, and Denny Lewis, Business Development Manager, Defense Industry at the Economic Development Partnership of NC, led the tour of Fort Bragg, providing insight into the lives of Soldiers and their roles on base. The tour began with an overview briefing by the Garrison Commander, Colonel John Wilcox, who highlighted Fort Bragg’s presence, size and economic impact on the local community, along with the challenges faced and plans for continued growth. The group then visited the Training Simulation Support Center to demonstrate how soldiers are trained on the “Dragon Missile” to prepare for combat situations, and attendees had the opportunity to participate in a simulated firing range.
After sharing a meal with Soldiers in the dining facility, the tour included a stop at the new 82nd Airborne Innovation Lab (AIL). The AIL opened in October with the purpose of providing Paratroopers with tactical innovation support for the battlefield. The AIL offers robotics equipment, 3D printing, a woodshop, textile station, and computer lab for Soldiers to test and create new ideas. The AIL also plans to offer courses for Paratroopers to learn how to design technologies and materials on their own. The tour ended at Simmons Army Airfield where participants had the opportunity to learn how Army Aviators train in simulators.
Duke University is a key partner in North Carolina’s defense innovation ecosystem, as demonstrated most recently by an Educational Partnership Agreement with the U.S. Army’s 18th Airborne Corps to spur innovation, help streamline military processes and provide new research and learning opportunities for Duke faculty and students. The new partnership formalizes existing connections between Duke and the military, tapping into Duke’s expertise in science, technology, engineering and public policy to encourage opportunities for collaboration with the Army.
With a thriving dual-use innovation ecosystem and a concentration of strong and committed partners across the continuum to advance innovation, North Carolina is the frontline of the future for the military’s innovation needs.
