In recent months, there has been a renewed sense of support for rapid prototyping to close mission-critical technology gaps, especially when it comes to the utilization of the Other Transaction Authority (OTA). With the Department of War (DoW)’s increasing motivation for modernizing our industrial base and reforming acquisition processes, ►
In recent years, innovative procurement methods, specifically Other Transactions Authorities (OTAs), have become the driving force behind some of the most groundbreaking prototypes in defense, pushing the boundaries of science, technology, and engineering.
This shift represents a change in how governments approach problem-solving, using the power of prototyping to de-risk investments ►
February 13, 2024 – Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) Crane Division has awarded Polarity, Inc, a small business based out of California, an Other Transactions Agreement, for an Output Travelling Wave Tube (OTWT) High Voltage Power Supply Group (HVPS) prototype project. The project was awarded through the NSWC Strategic & ►
February 25, 2025 – Fiber Materials, Inc. (FMI) has been awarded a multi-million dollar Other Transaction Agreement from the Department of Defense (DoD), through the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) Manufacturing Technology (ManTech) Office, for the Demonstration of Aero Structures for Hypersonics – Manufacturing Optimization and Testing ►
Every passing year, technology innovations in defense applications grow more sophisticated. In 2025, industry experts predicted a surge in defense technology innovation fueled by advancements in artificial intelligence (AI), autonomous systems, and more.
The future of defense capabilities in the U.S. will depend largely on domestic innovation and trending technologies. ►
The advent of hypersonic weapons, capable of traveling at speeds exceeding Mach 5, is revolutionizing the global military landscape. Their unparalleled speed, maneuverability and range render existing defense systems ineffective. As more nations invest in and deploy these weapons, the implications for naval warfare and global security are far-reaching.
Given the ►
October 7, 2024 – The Office of the Undersecretary of Defense for Research & Engineering’s Trusted & Assured Microelectronics program has awarded the Firmware Bill of Materials Extractor (FBME) project to Georgia Tech Applied Research Corporation and GrammaTech, Inc. FBME was awarded through the Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) Crane ►
In an era where technological advancements are rapidly reshaping military operations, acquisition processes within the government are a key element to success. The defense industry is experiencing a surge of emerging technologies that promise to enhance capabilities and improve operational efficiency. From artificial intelligence and machine learning to innovative materials ►
Other Transaction Authorities (OTAs) are non-traditional government contracting methods designed to help fast-track research initiatives and prototype innovation. Because OTAs are prototyping agreements, it is crucial that there are processes put in place to ensure movement of technologies beyond the initial prototype.
The ultimate goal of a prototype ►
July 15, 2024 – The Strategic and Spectrum Missions Advanced Resilient Trusted Systems (S2MARTS) Other Transaction Authority (OTA) attended the 2024 Crane Congressional Breakfast and Reception in Washington, D.C. where Congressional leadership met with DoD, Indiana officials, and Industry partners for discussions that included regional microelectronics and hypersonics infrastructure development. ►
