Draper Hosts Deputy Secretary of Defense, U.S. Senators and U.S. Army Officials

CAMBRIDGE, MA—Draper recently hosted U.S. Senator Edward J. Markey, U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren and Deputy Secretary of Defense Dr. Kathleen Hicks for a discussion of the company’s efforts to enhance the nation’s capacity for innovation, research and development of advanced systems for national security.

Officials underscored the value to the nation for organizations like Draper, not just in terms of advancing capacity for research, development, testing and evaluation (RDT&E), but its continued leadership to develop and promote tech talent on behalf of the U.S.

The meeting featured briefings by senior leaders of the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command, or DEVCOM, including Brigadier General David Trybula, Deputy Commanding General for DEVCOM and Senior Mission Commander of Natick Soldier Systems Center, or NSSC, and Douglas Tamilio, Director, DEVCOM Soldier Center, an NSSC tenant organization.

Draper is a research and development partner of DEVCOM and the DEVCOM Soldier Center in advancing the development of soldier-focused technologies.

Draper’s major contributions to national defense include the development of inertial guidance systems for ballistic missile applications and space missions; autonomous guidance, navigation & control systems for unmanned underwater vehicles; highly reliable computing systems for undersea, air and space vehicles; miniature electromechanical systems for guided munitions; and biotechnology and biosecurity applications. In each example, Draper developed and advanced the technology, built the first prototypes and conducted field tests and operational demonstrations.  

Released July 20, 2021

Deputy Secretary of Defense Dr. Kathleen Hicks attends a discussion led by Draper’s leadership team on July 8. The discussion focused on recent developments in science, technology and engineering in support of national security. Credit: Draper
Brig. Gen David C. Trybula visits Draper to discuss military support on July 8.
Brig. Gen David C. Trybula, U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM) Deputy Commanding General and the Senior Mission Commander of the Natick Soldier Systems Center (NSSC), during a visit to Draper on July 8. Draper has supported the U.S. military’s mission for more than 85 years. Credit: Draper.
Sen. Edward J. Markey discusses science and tech advancements at Draper event in Cambridge, Mass.
U.S. Senator Edward J. Markey attends a discussion led by Draper’s leadership team on July 8 in Cambridge, Mass. The discussion focused on recent developments in science, technology and engineering in support of national security. Credit: Draper.
Senator Elizabeth Warren at Draper discussing national security research and development efforts.
U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren attends a discussion of Draper’s efforts to increase the nation’s capacity in the areas of research and development in support of national security. The meeting on July 8 took place at Draper, Cambridge, Mass. Credit: Draper.
U.S. government officials at Draper's Cambridge, Mass.
Draper hosted a meeting of U.S. government officials at the company’s headquarters in Cambridge, Mass. on July 8. (L-R) Brig. Gen. David C. Trybula, Deputy Commanding General, U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM) and Senior Mission Commander of the Natick Soldier Systems Center (NSSC); Director Douglas A. Tamilio, U.S. Army DEVCOM Soldier Center; U.S. Senator Edward J. Markey; Deputy Secretary of Defense Dr. Kathleen Hicks; U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren; Chairman of the Board David R. Shedd, Draper; President and CEO William LaPlante, Draper. Credit: Draper.
Deputy Secretary of Defense Dr. Kathleen Hicks attends a discussion led by Draper’s leadership team on July 8. The discussion focused on recent developments in science, technology and engineering in support of national security. Credit: Draper
Deputy Secretary of Defense Dr. Kathleen Hicks attends a discussion led by Draper’s leadership team on July 8. The discussion focused on recent developments in science, technology and engineering in support of national security. Credit: Draper
Brig. Gen David C. Trybula, U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM) Deputy Commanding General and the Senior Mission Commander of the Natick Soldier Systems Center (NSSC), during a visit to Draper on July 8. Draper has supported the U.S. military’s mission for more than 85 years. Credit: Draper.
Brig. Gen David C. Trybula, U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM) Deputy Commanding General and the Senior Mission Commander of the Natick Soldier Systems Center (NSSC), during a visit to Draper on July 8. Draper has supported the U.S. military’s mission for more than 85 years. Credit: Draper.
U.S. Senator Edward J. Markey attends a discussion led by Draper’s leadership team on July 8 in Cambridge, Mass. The discussion focused on recent developments in science, technology and engineering in support of national security. Credit: Draper.
U.S. Senator Edward J. Markey attends a discussion led by Draper’s leadership team on July 8 in Cambridge, Mass. The discussion focused on recent developments in science, technology and engineering in support of national security. Credit: Draper.
U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren attends a discussion of Draper’s efforts to increase the nation’s capacity in the areas of research and development in support of national security. The meeting on July 8 took place at Draper, Cambridge, Mass. Credit: Draper.
U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren attends a discussion of Draper’s efforts to increase the nation’s capacity in the areas of research and development in support of national security. The meeting on July 8 took place at Draper, Cambridge, Mass. Credit: Draper.
Draper hosted a meeting of U.S. government officials at the company’s headquarters in Cambridge, Mass. on July 8. (L-R) Brig. Gen. David C. Trybula, Deputy Commanding General, U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM) and Senior Mission Commander of the Natick Soldier Systems Center (NSSC); Director Douglas A. Tamilio, U.S. Army DEVCOM Soldier Center; U.S. Senator Edward J. Markey; Deputy Secretary of Defense Dr. Kathleen Hicks; U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren; Chairman of the Board David R. Shedd, Draper; President and CEO William LaPlante, Draper. Credit: Draper.
Draper hosted a meeting of U.S. government officials at the company’s headquarters in Cambridge, Mass. on July 8. (L-R) Brig. Gen. David C. Trybula, Deputy Commanding General, U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM) and Senior Mission Commander of the Natick Soldier Systems Center (NSSC); Director Douglas A. Tamilio, U.S. Army DEVCOM Soldier Center; U.S. Senator Edward J. Markey; Deputy Secretary of Defense Dr. Kathleen Hicks; U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren; Chairman of the Board David R. Shedd, Draper; President and CEO William LaPlante, Draper. Credit: Draper.