Posted on December 19, 2024
For the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, innovation at every level is critically important to delivering on the historic mission requirements of today and preparing for the unknown engineering challenges of tomorrow.
To recognize the importance and global impact of research and development across the enterprise, USACE has released the FY24 USACE R&D Annual Report.
“USACE R&D has reached levels in recent years that I never thought I would see,” said Dr. David Pittman, Director of R&D and Chief Scientist for USACE. “The commitment and investment we have received from our leaders across the federal government, the Department of Defense and elsewhere have propelled us to achieve these historic research portfolios, with the team and capabilities to solve seemingly impossible challenges on a global scale.”
The report highlights innovation across each of USACE’s nine divisions and includes more than 40 stories of how the organization is delivering engineering solutions in the areas of Civil Works, Warfighter Support, Installations and Operational Environments, and Support for Others.
Among the highlights featured is the unified response led by the USACE North Atlantic Division and Baltimore District in response to the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore. Several USACE research laboratories supported that response, leveraging the latest technologies and simulation capabilities to help clear the wreckage and reopen critical shipping lanes.
In addition, there are stories of how research into hydrogen fuel cells is expanding the mission capabilities of unmanned ground vehicles and leading to historic breakthroughs in vehicles that provide needed power in times of natural disasters.
The report also features stories of how USACE Divisions are re-evaluating their processes and business practices, responding to Lt. Gen. William “Butch” Graham, USACE Commanding General and 56th Chief of Engineers, and his call to “keep innovating.”
“You also understand that the world doesn’t stand still. It is constantly changing,” Graham shared in a message to USACE shortly after taking command. “What worked well today might not work as well tomorrow. To keep improving and to stay ahead of change, we know that we need to keep innovating.”
The USACE R&D community and its capabilities are unique, discovering engineering solutions that can be applied to civil works projects and deployed in support of our armed forces, and vice versa. This legacy of living in both lanes of research – civil and military – dates back to the 1920s and has positioned USACE as a world leader in both arenas.
“From ongoing efforts to embed nature-based features and new technologies in future infrastructure projects to leveraging the power of artificial intelligence and machine learning, there has never been a more exciting time to be part of R&D in USACE,” Pittman said.
To view and download a copy of the FY24 USACE R&D Annual Report, visit www.dvidshub.net/publication/issues/72390.
