Raytheon Hosts 11th Annual Small Business Forum

Co. recently hosted its 11th Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Focus Forum at the Integrated Defense Systems’(IDS) Seapower Capability Center in Portsmouth.

The event brought together small business leaders, government customers, technical leads and engineering representatives to discuss business and technology opportunities in the defense industry sector.

More than 20 small businesses, most from southern New England, attended the event, capitalizing on the opportunity to network with Raytheon contacts, government representatives and neighboring business leaders.

“The forum represents an outstanding opportunity to learn more about the exceptional technologies and talent resident in New England,” said Patrick “Kevin” Peppe, Raytheon IDS’ vice president of Seapower Capability Systems. “We remain committed to the development and delivery of advanced, reliable and affordable solutions to meet our customers’ requirements – and our small business partners are an important part of our success.”

Congressman Jim Langevin (D-RI) spoke to attendees and applauded the goal of the event, promoting growth and innovation across the state and the region. He described the local defense industry, including large and small business, as "critical to our national defense, our economy and our economic competitiveness."

“Small business is the backbone of our defense industrial base – with the agility and flexibility to solve problems, tackle technical challenges, and reduce cost,” Langevin said. “Large partners like Raytheon can be a tremendous help, encouraging innovation and opening doors. And through SBIR, together you can grow promising ideas into real capabilities for our warfighters.”

The first half of the forum let government representatives from Naval Sea Systems Command and the Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC Newport) explain their organizations, requirements and goals. The second half of the forum was devoted to one-on-one proprietary meetings between Raytheon subject matter experts, supply chain representatives and principal investigators for the small businesses participating in the SBIR program.

Among the technologies discussed were ship and submarine command and control systems, above-water sensors and effectors, mine warfare and anti-submarine warfare and unmanned vehicles.