Draper Hosts US Army Lt. Gen. Robert A. Rasch Jr. and Army Officials

CAMBRIDGE, Mass.—Draper recently hosted U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Robert A. Rasch, Jr. and officials from the Army 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.

Rasch underscored the value to the nation for industries working to advance the capacity for research, development, testing and evaluation. He also praised Draper for their continual support of the U.S. Army.

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

Dr. Jerry Wohletz, Draper’s CEO and president, said, “We are truly honored to host Lt. Gen. Rasch and provide the latest on our programs and capabilities that support strategic deterrence, national defense, and defending democracy.”

Draper has supported the U.S. military’s mission for more than 85 years, developing capabilities to protect and defend our nation and democracy around the world. Draper’s contributions to the U.S. Army include capabilities in cybersecurity, technology protection, and miniature cryptography for high stress environments. Recent developments include gun-hardened guidance and electronics units, guided medium caliber munitions, and advanced artillery systems and submunitions.

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; an autonomous airborne resupply system called the Joint Precision Airdrop System; and biotechnology and biosecurity applications. In many instances, Draper developed and advanced the technology, built the first prototypes and conducted field tests and operational demonstrations.