Blue Ops to Bring Maritime Defense Operations to FAU Harbor Branch
From left, Ryan Britton, FAU vice president for government relations and economic development; Barry Hinckley; president, Blue Ops; FAU President Adam Hasner; and Kelly Smallridge, president and CEO, Business Development Board of Palm Beach County. (Photo by Alex Dolce)
Florida Atlantic University and Blue Ops, a maritime division of Red Cat Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: RCAT), have established a strategic partnership that will bring the company’s uncrewed maritime systems operations to FAU’s Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute in Fort Pierce, creating a hub for research, development, testing, training and collaboration in ocean technology, autonomous systems and national defense.
“This is precisely the kind of strategic partnership that can amplify the strengths of both organizations,” said FAU President Adam Hasner. “Florida Atlantic brings the world-class oceanographic resources of Harbor Branch, expertise in autonomous systems and national defense, and a talented pipeline of students and researchers. Blue Ops brings advanced maritime technologies and strong connections to the defense industry. Together, we can move research from the lab to real-world applications, provide students with meaningful opportunities and extend the impact of innovation developed at Florida Atlantic, creating lasting benefits for our region, state and nation.”
The partnership brings together complementary capabilities in a setting uniquely suited to maritime technology development. FAU Harbor Branch is a secure, 144-acre, deep-water port and provides access to the ocean, waterfront infrastructure, marine scientists and engineers, specialized equipment and decades of experience developing technologies for challenging ocean environments. Blue Ops will bring expertise in uncrewed surface vessels, maritime autonomy, mission systems and open architectures.
“Partnering with Florida Atlantic University gives Blue Ops an opportunity to advance our uncrewed surface vessels, develop and test new maritime technologies, and help build the skilled workforce needed as autonomous systems become more central to maritime operations,” said Barry Hinckley, president of Blue Ops. “Harbor Branch brings together engineers, scientists, students and industry in an environment where technologies can be tested in the real-world maritime conditions for which they are designed. By working alongside FAU researchers and supporting its educational mission, we can help prepare both the talent and technologies needed to strengthen America’s maritime capabilities.”
The Fort Pierce location will support Blue Ops’ research and development in ocean technology, autonomous systems and national defense, including engineering, testing and evaluation; land- and water-based demonstrations; personnel training; and equipment maintenance and support. The partnership also creates opportunities for joint research, graduate scholarships, paid internships, outreach, and shared use of specialized scientific equipment and support services.
The partnership aligns with FAU’s research emphasis on national defense and autonomous systems, one of four Areas of Research Emphasis in the university’s 2026-31 strategic plan. Through its Autonomous Systems Initiative, FAU brings together faculty across colleges and institutes to advance research, education and workforce development across air, ground, underground, surface and underwater environments.
FAU has decades of expertise in autonomous systems, artificial intelligence, robotics, cybersecurity, sensing and marine technologies, increasingly supporting national defense and security. At FAU Harbor Branch, Michael Twardowski, Ph.D., the Edwin A. Link Ocean Technology and Defense Endowed Professor and director of the Center for Marine Applied Technology and Engineering, has spent more than 30 years advancing optical sensing, underwater imaging and autonomous marine systems through research with the U.S. Office of Naval Research.
“This partnership is a natural extension of what Harbor Branch has done for decades; bringing scientists, engineers and technology developers together to solve complex ocean challenges,” said Jason Hallstrom, Ph.D., interim executive director of FAU Harbor Branch. “Having Blue Ops here connects industry with our researchers, facilities and students, accelerating innovation while providing valuable real-world experience and workforce development opportunities for the next generation of engineers and scientists.”
The partnership also reflects the important role of the Business Development Board of Palm Beach County (BDB) in helping to bring Blue Ops to the region. The BDB is the county’s economic development organization focused on attracting and retaining businesses.
“Palm Beach County is at the forefront of technology, and partnerships like this show how our region’s assets can come together to create new opportunities,” said Kelly Smallridge, president and CEO of the BDB. “Florida Atlantic’s research expertise, talent pipeline and focus on national defense and autonomous systems make it a strong partner for technology companies. Bringing Blue Ops to Harbor Branch further connects research, industry and workforce development and strengthens the Palm Beaches as a hub for advanced technology.”
As Blue Ops establishes its presence at Harbor Branch, the partners will pursue joint research, engineering and testing, workforce development, internships, graduate opportunities and technology demonstrations focused on maritime autonomy, ocean technology and national defense.
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Tags: technology | harbor branch | research | AI | faculty and staff