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David Porter Director, Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering – East David Porter is the Director of Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering for the Eastern Region at PacMar Technologies. As a Senior Naval Architect and Director, Dave is responsible for keeping the canvas up and the barnacles down across the platforms and prototypes division. From Concept to At-Sea Trials Dave applies a balance of pragmatism and creativity; respectful of the hard lessons learned and exhilarated to evolve maritime vessels on and below the bounding main. Dave has 13 years of experience in the maritime industry supporting the U.S. Navy. Dave logged more than a decade at Bath Iron Works and worked in Engineering and Operations; shipbuilding is a great teacher- with synchronized teamwork, unyielding efforts, and the right leadership, all things are possible. Dave is from New England but snuck down to the Bronx long enough to earn a Bachelor’s degree in Naval Architecture from SUNY Maritime and came back as quickly as he could. Maine is home now, where Dave enjoys spending time in the mountains and on the ocean with his family. ​ » back Technical Experts

Autonomy & Data Science We develop digital twins of systems and subsystems on DoD platforms, for hull structural health monitoring, self-healing autonomous machinery, and smart electrical grids. Our unique understanding of artificial intelligence and machine learning is applied to the development of efficient and accurate virtual worlds. Methods to test and train unmanned systems in all domains ensures resiliency of these technologies and systems. Autonomy Development Unmanned Systems PacMar Technologies develops autonomy solutions for aerial, ground, amphibious, surface, and undersea vehicles in dynamic and uncertain environments. Our core expertise involves cognitive systems approaches for A.I.-based autonomy that enables the vehicle to perform higher-level reasoning and adapt to unexpected events. This contrasts with the state of most of today’s unmanned systems that follow scripted missions that require intense operator cognitive workload to program. PacMar Technologies autonomy research aims to invert the unmanned vehicle-operator paradigm by embedding greater intelligence and reasoning on the vehicle, thereby enabling one operator to manage multiple unmanned vehicles. By inverting that paradigm, unmanned systems become true force multipliers. Industry 4.0, Digital Twin, and the Industrial Internet of Things Industry 4.0, also known as the Industrial Internet of Things, is revolutionizing how nearly every commercial industry is achieving increased automation and resiliency with ‘smart’ machines that can monitor themselves and correct issues without human intervention. PacMar Technologies is collaborating with the Office of Naval Research and a network of universities to develop resilient, autonomous machinery for Navy ships that will reduce manning, lower lifecycle cost, and increase long duration operation of the hull, mechanical, and electrical (HM&E) systems that ships depend on to function. Digital Twins are key enabling technology in PacMar Technologies' approach to creating ‘smart’ ship HM&E systems. Certification & Trust A significant barrier to wider adoption of autonomous systems for military applications is a lack of operator trust and rigorous methods to validate that autonomous systems will perform as intended. PacMar Technologies’ researchers are on the cutting-edge of methods for certifying autonomous system performance in dynamic environments and when subjected to novel or unpredicted conditions. Our researchers are solving fundamental challenges of how one can adequately test a system when exhaustive testing is either impractical or provably intractable. » back to top

PacMar Technologies Wins Ocean Observing Prize ​ Honolulu, HI — MAY 2020 — PacMar Technologies team, consisting of Bradley Beeksma, Patrick Montolio, Aaron Yee and Adam Crimmins, have won the Explorer Prize in the Ocean Observing Prize’s DISCOVER competition . This competition is administered by the DOE (Department of Energy) and NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) and is designed to spur technological innovation and contribute to the growth of the blue economy. Team PacMar Technologies’ winning submission, integrates a rapidly installed breakwater (RIB) structure into an attenuating wave energy converter (WEC) that would generate power for UUV (unmanned underwater vehicles) charging while simultaneously creating a sheltered area for improved surface docking. This system will increase UUV mission durations using an autonomous recharging device for short-term deployment at locations of interest. The Ocean Observing Prize challenges innovators around the globe to integrate marine renewable energy with ocean observation platforms, ultimately revolutionizing our ability to collect the data needed to understand, map and monitor the ocean. “Our team was thrilled to hear we had been selected as winners in this competitive competition. This is a promising demonstration that our company is well-suited to address challenges in the field of marine renewable energy,” said Bradley Beeksma, Ocean Engineer. “PacMar Technologies is a world leader in the design of large inflatable drop-stitch structures, and the DISCOVER competition was a chance for our engineers to leverage that knowledge to advance the use of unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs) for ocean exploration and sensing,” said Troy Keipper, Chief Operating Officer. PacMar Technologies is known for its innovation, in both technology and in business – and always strives for opportunities to use research, ideas and engineering to change the world. Learn more about the Ocean Observing Prize here . ​ About PacMar Technologies PacMar Technologies is a leading provider of innovative research and development services for the Department of Defense, NASA, and other government agencies. Historically a provider of naval architecture and modeling and simulation services, its portfolio has diversified to encompass digital twins, power and energy systems, unmanned vehicles, robotics, autonomy, AI/ML, data science, inflatables, composites, and additive manufacturing. Since its founding in Hawaii in 1979, PacMar Technologies has grown to open offices in Rhode Island, Maine, Virginia, Michigan, South Carolina, and Oklahoma. Article by Communication Staff » back

OUTREACH Supporting our community through outreach will ignite the talent, ideas, and engagement in our field. We aim to inspire young people to pursue careers in engineering and join us as we expand future possibilities. PacMar Technologies has developed two educational video games that encourage students to engage in creative decision making within real-world constraints and then test their designs in environments with realistic physics. We partner with professional societies and educational organizations to ensure that these programs are well supported with curricula and training materials for educators and parents. And we believe that incorporating these educational concepts into approachable mediums like video games will highlight the exciting areas of this field and entice young people to learn more. Robot X RobotX is an international marine robotics competition that allows university students worldwide to compete to develop the most successful autonomous surface vessel, exposing future innovators to complex robotics and autonomy problems while encouraging novel solutions. The students focus on navigation systems, environment sensing, and control algorithms that enable their vehicle to complete a variety of navigational courses and standard maneuvers such as docking. Challenges also include complex logistical problems such as deployment of autonomous underwater vehicles to recover submerged objects or aerial vehicles to make observations. Every team uses a common platform, the Wave Adapted Modular Vessel (WAM-V), which is stable and capable of carrying a high payload. By standardizing the platform, students can focus on the robotics and autonomy problems and delivery high-performance vehicles. Throughout the program, students also learn skills in program management, budgeting, fundraising, and leadership. PacMar Technologies is proud to provide logistical support for the at-sea challenge in Honolulu, Hawaii as well as provide software and modelling techniques that enable a biennial virtual competition. Fleet FLEET is a web-based science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) competition that is free to students worldwide. FLEET utilizes the youth-friendly model of gamification to engage high school students in naval ship design and enables them to apply the real-life applications of STEM. Working individually or on teams, students compete via a web-based platform to complete four different missions, and in the process address the same challenges in ship design and operation that professional naval architects consider on a daily basis. Lesson plans, schedules, and other resources are available to make this game accessible to a wide variety of age groups. This game and the associated program resources were developed in partnership with the American Society of Naval Engineers. To download the game, view lesson plans, or even talk to an educator about the program, contact the American Society of Naval Engineers.

Scott Yamashita Director, Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering – West Scott Yamashita is the Director of Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering for the Western Region at PacMar Technologies. He oversees a staff of nine engineers supporting the research and design of various maritime technologies ranging from small boats, to larger vessels, to amphibious vehicles. Scott has 20 years of experience with PMT specializing in conceptual design, modeling and simulation, and prototype construction oversight of various technology demonstrators. Prior to joining PacMar Technologies, he worked for nine years as a civil engineer for a local firm where he earned his license as a professional engineer. Scott was born and raised in Hawaii and received a Bachelor of Science in Aeronautical Engineering from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University in Prescott Arizona. He is the co-inventor on several patents for marine technology. ​ » back Technical Experts

Eric Hultgren Director, Power & Energy Eric Hultgren is the Director of Power and Energy at PacMar Technologies. The Power and Energy portfolio includes cutting-edge technologies and analysis methodologies associated with electric propulsion, energy storage, power system management and cyber security. Previously to joining PacMar Technologies, Eric was a principal engineer at General Dynamics Electric Boat for 22 years. During his time at Electric Boat, Eric worked on numerous electric propulsion (motors, drives and controls) and energy storage (battery and fuel cell) programs. As part of these projects, he has performed mechanical, electrical, magnetic, and thermal analysis work. In addition to his design and analysis experience, Eric supported various manufacturing and testing efforts. Eric was born and raised in Newport, Rhode Island. He received a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Worcester Polytechnic Institute and a Master of Science in Ocean Engineering from the University of Rhode Island. ​ » back Technical Experts

PacMar Technologies Wins DARPA Award for AUV Article by Communication Staff Honolulu, HI — 26 MAY 2020 — The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has awarded PacMar Technologies a $5.5 million contract for Phase One of the Manta Ray program. This contract was awarded through a competitive bidding process after bids were solicited via an open Broad Agency Announcement in June 2019. The program funds research, development, and demonstration of critical technologies for a new class of long-duration, long-range, unmanned underwater vehicles capable of carrying large payloads. The program’s goal is to advance the state of technology for this new class of underwater vehicle in the areas of novel energy management and harvesting; low-power, high-efficiency propulsion systems; efficient navigation, mission management, command, control and communications during long-duration deployments; and techniques to mitigate biofouling, corrosion, and other material degradation. Artist’s concept of Manta Ray UUV. Image credit: DARPA Public Affairs . “PacMar Technologies is thrilled to support DARPA in developing this novel class of undersea vehicles that are responsive to a critical need identified in the National Defense Strategy,” said Dan Brunk, PacMar Technologies' Chief Executive Officer. “This project complements our growing portfolio of R&D work on advanced power and energy systems, autonomy, and unmanned robotic vehicles for the undersea, surface, ground and air domains.” Key subcontractors on this program include the Applied Physics Laboratory at the University of Washington (APL-UW) in Seattle, WA which has expertise in unmanned underwater vehicle autonomy and controls; North Carolina State University (NCSU) in Raleigh, NC which has expertise in underwater energy harvesting; and Systems & Technology Research (STR) in Arlington, VA, which has expertise in undersea systems operations, sensors, communications, and signal processing. About PacMar Technologies PacMar Technologies is a leading provider of innovative research and development services for the Department of Defense, NASA, and other government agencies. Historically a provider of naval architecture and modeling and simulation services, its portfolio has diversified to encompass digital twins, power and energy systems, unmanned vehicles, robotics, autonomy, AI/ML, data science, inflatables, composites, and additive manufacturing. Since its founding in Hawaii in 1979, PacMar Technologies has grown to open offices in Rhode Island, Maine, Virginia, Michigan, South Carolina, and Oklahoma. ​ » back to News » back to Hom epage

CORE VALUES Accountability: We always come through. We are committed to holding ourselves, and our partners, accountable-always. We collaborate. Because we know the best work comes from partnership. Our customer is at the table with us at every step-making critical decisions, settling differences, building alignment, and moving the strategy forward. Innovation: The most original and unexpected solution. We drive i nnovation-in both technology and our approach to business-helping to lead our industry toward unimaginable change. We attract, empower, and retain industry-leading and innovative problem solvers who share an entrepreneurial spirit. We take on the problems no one else in the industry can or will. Where some see obstacles or deterrents, we see opportunity and possibility, and we know that we have the talent and ingenuity to tackle any challenge. Forward-leaning: We can’t wait for tomorrow. We are future-focused-out in front, a step or two ahead, and hard wired to anticipate problems and solutions others aren’t yet thinking of. We embrace the urgency in the work we do, and we operate as if the future depends on it. As a company that delivers research and development quickly and can adapt on a dime-a company that gets things done at the same pace technology changes-we can keep the US competitive with advancing world powers. Living Our Values At PacMar Technologies (PMT), we live our core values every day. From delivering outstanding results for our customers, to collaboration within our employee teams, we take pride in demonstrating our values of “Accountability”, “Innovation”, and “Forward-leaning” through our words and actions. Our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics provides guidance on carrying out daily activities in accordance with PMT’s values, as well as in compliance with the letter and spirit of applicable laws and ethical principles. Our commitment to ethics, compliance, and corporate integrity is steadfast and reliable. We believe it provides the base for trust in relationships with our customers, suppliers, and all the company’s stakeholders. We maintain and support policies and procedures, controls, investigation and remediation, training, and due diligence.

Platform Design & Prototyping Vigorous performance prediction and prototype field testing results in a wide-range of innovative concepts across multiple domains – land, sea, and air. Our software expertise allows us to rapidly design and model, from idea to prototype demonstration, complex mechanical systems in relevant environment. Ships, Small Craft, and Unmanned Vehicles PacMar Technologies has a strong heritage designing cutting-edge marine vehicles that draw upon our world-class and multi-disciplinary engineering expertise spanning naval architecture, marine, mechanical, and systems engineering. PacMar Technologies has all the capability needed to design, analyze, prototype and test novel marine vehicles for customers in the Department of Defense and commercial sectors. Our expertise spans high-performance small craft, naval surface combatants, and unmanned vehicles – both surface and undersea (USVs and UUVs). PacMar Technologies repeatedly develops vehicles to meet demanding specifications and achieve never-before-seen capability. Our capabilities also include the design of launch, recovery, recharging, and refueling technology for sustaining unmanned systems from legacy host platforms and autonomous sustainment. unmanned vehicle sb42 BLB70_IMG_0605_edited unmanned vehicle 1/3 Large-scale Rapid Prototyping & Test Rapidly developing from an idea to a prototype or demonstrator in relevant environments is core to our business and culture. Every PacMar Technologies facility has fabrication and experimentation capacity for marine, ground, and aerial systems prototyping. We also frequently work with a network of partner shipyards and test sites to achieve ambitious program schedules. UHAC Large-scale-2-540x360 hdv100 UHAC 1/3 Unmanned Amphibious and Ground Vehicles PacMar Technologies is uniquely positioned to provide system design, integration, and testing for amphibious vehicles that can operate in challenging littoral conditions. Our engineers design vehicles capable of transiting through surf and rugged shoreline conditions to seamlessly connect between ships operating at stand-off distances at sea and maneuver forces inland. Modeling & Simulation Our ability to rapidly prototype advanced systems is powered by industry-leading modeling and simulation expertise. PacMar Technologies engineers use virtual environments, physics-based simulations, and high-performance computing to explore a broad trade space for novel systems and validate performance specifications. Modeling and simulation enable PacMar Technologies culture and process of rapid prototyping and innovation. » back to top

Advanced Materials & Manufacturing PacMar Technologies is the only producer of Berry Amendment-compliant Drop-Stitch fabric. This fabric combined with unique coating processes creates novel inflatable technologies. Studying and applying inflatables – supplemented with lightweight composites structures – opens a new frontier of applications for hybrid structures. Computer models of these hybrid structures allow us to tailor designs for new applications. Expandable structures and inflatables PacMar Technologies engineers expandable and inflatable structures with low size and weight (‘SWaP’). They offer compact transport and storage, and a predictable shape and strength when deployed, making them an ideal technology for expeditionary applications where space and weight are at a premium. One of our core technologies is ‘drop stitch’ inflatable textiles, which enables PacMar Technologies to design inflatable structures with tight tolerances on shape and strength. PacMar Technologies rapidly prototypes and tests large expandable structures using drop stitch composite textiles, using a company-owned loom capable of limited-production runs of custom textile that is ideally suited for research & development efforts. Structural analysis PacMar Technologies’ multi-disciplinary engineering team includes subject matter experts in structural design and analysis. PacMar Technologies routinely uses a variety of commercially available finite element analysis (FEA) software to evaluate trade-offs and optimize structures spanning ships, vehicle chassis, and airframes. Our expertise go beyond static stress-strain type of analyses, and include custom-built proprietary software to solve for the dynamic (time-domain) deformations of structures subject to the action of wave and air flow, coupled thermal effects, and hydro-elastic effects needed to predict the performance of cutting-edge military systems with high confidence. PacMar Technologies has also collaborated with Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC), Newport, to develop a first-of-kind, validated FEA capability for drop stitch textiles and other inflatable structures. Additive manufacturing & large-scale 3D printing PacMar Technologies is pushing the boundaries of what is possible to 3D print. Together with the University of Maine, PacMar Technologies 3D printed the entirety of a 25 foot planing hull suitable for immediate outfitting – the largest structure ever 3D printed at the time. PacMar Technologies is continuing to pioneer advanced manufacturing techniques blending 3D printing with new materials, composite designs, and printing processes to create even larger and stronger structures, with the capability to embed sensors and distributed systems – electrical power, cooling, and more – during the printing process. Soft robotics PacMar Technologies is using existing capability in expandable structures and inflatables to forge a path in soft robotics. Using our knowledge of system integration and materials, PacMar Technologies is exploring the use of sof t robotics for UUV Launch and Recovery applications. To continue to push the boundaries, PacMar Technologies is pursuing research in technologies that will help grow the next generation of soft robotic applications. » back to top

Gary Shimozono Senior Vice President – Engineering & Technology Gary Shimozono is the Senior Vice President of Engineering & Technology at PacMar Technologies. He brings 45 years of Research and Development engineering experience to the company. Since 1995, Gary has served as Principal Investigator for many PMT projects, including those involving the design, construction, and testing of lifting body vessels- ranging in size from 50 to 300 long tons. These highly specialized vessels employ subsurface bodies, generating lift through displacement and dynamic lift. He was directly involved with the hydrodynamic and mechanical design aspects of these technology demonstrators. Currently, Gary is working on the development of a large amphibious, multi-tank capable transport vehicle (UHAC) and has completed multiple projects involving inflatable drop-stitch structures. Prior to joining the company, Gary worked for 18 years at Hughes Aircraft, Missile Systems Group, where he held mechanical engineering and project responsibilities for a ballistic missile interceptor and other prototype missiles. Gary holds both a Bachelor’s degree and Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Hawaii. ​ » back Corporate Team

Brian Kays Vice President – Platform Design & Prototyping Brian Kays is the Vice President of Platform Design and Engineering at PacMar Technologies. Joining PMT in 2002, Brian has over 20 years of experience in mechanical, structural, and system design. He has been involved with the design, fabrication, installation, and testing of mechanical, hydraulic, and electronic control systems related to the Aft Lifting Body (ALB) technology on numerous high-speed boats and amphibious vehicles. Recently, Brian engineered rapid inflation systems for numerous drop-stitch boats, sleds, chutes, and other inflatable structures. He is the principal investigator on the offboard refueling and data transfer system (ORADTS) which utilizes large-scale inflatable structures and ancillary systems to autonomously refuel unmanned vessels at-sea. Brian received a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Washington in 1997. ​ » back Technical experts