Draper Hosts Secretary of the U.S. Navy

CAMBRIDGE, MA—Draper recently hosted Secretary of the Navy, Carlos Del Toro, for a tour of the company’s R&D centers and a discussion of the company’s efforts to enhance the nation’s capacity for innovation, research and development of advanced systems for national security.

Del Toro underscored the value to the nation for organizations like Draper for advancing capacity for research, development, testing and evaluation (RDT&E). He also praised Draper for its continued leadership as the U.S. Navy’s strategic guidance prime contractor.

“The Navy is committed to partnerships that enable us to tap into innovation in the latest technologies and capabilities,” Del Toro said. “Draper has demonstrated a special ability to unlock innovation with the goal of serving America’s Navy.”

William LaPlante, Draper’s CEO and president, said, “We are truly honored to host Secretary Del Toro and provide the latest on our programs and capabilities that support strategic deterrence, national defense and economic security.”

Draper has designed and supported the guidance system for every fleet ballistic missile deployed since the program began in 1955.

The meeting featured briefings by Draper’s senior leaders. The Secretary visited Draper’s R&D centers for microelectronics, biotechnology and digital engineering. Additional topics covered include Draper’s capabilities in cybersecurity, unmanned platforms, hypersonic weapons, space-rated technologies and technology protection.

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.