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Technically Speaking Podcast

Technically Speaking Podcast

By: Naval Information Warfare Center Atlantic
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Naval Information Warfare Center (NIWC) Atlantic's monthly podcast “Technically Speaking" is hosted by the Public Affairs Office and features a monthly rollup of recent information warfare successes as well as deep-dive interviews spotlighting technical and un-technical topics of Navy interest.DVIDSHub.net Politics & Government
Episodes
  • Technically Speaking Podcast - Episode 36 - Students Seek Mentorship from Naval Engineers to help Endangered Red Wolves

    Technically Speaking Podcast - Episode 36 - Students Seek Mentorship from Naval Engineers to help Endangered Red Wolves
    Jun 17 2026
    Technically Speaking Podcast - Episode 36 - Students Seek Mentorship from Naval Engineers to help Endangered Red Wolves (Ep. 36) As tech professionals, there is nothing quite like seeing a complex problem met with an elegant, real-world solution—especially when personnel from NIWC Atlantic are driving the initiative. In this episode, hosts Chelsie and Alex sit down with an incredible father-son duo: Dr. Don Lauer, a NIWC Atlantic Lab Manager, and Matt Lauer, a recent Charleston Southern University engineering graduate. Don and Matt walk listeners through how a senior engineering project at Charleston Southern University evolved into a game-changing solution for the critically endangered red wolves housed at Charles Towne Landing State Historic Site in Charleston, South Carolina. Their collaborative effort perfectly showcases what NIWC Atlantic does best: leveraging technology and teamwork to make a tangible impact. Listen in as the group breaks down the specs of the "Health Observation and Weight Logger" (HOWL)—a smart scale engineered by students to capture accurate weight data without the need to sedate the animals. It is a fantastic conversation about how NIWC Atlantic engineers stepped up to provide mentorship, and how the command’s On-Demand Manufacturing lab provided the crucial hardware support to get the prototype deployed. This episode is a proud testament to the power of STEM outreach, community partnerships, and how Navy IT and engineering resources can be mobilized to protect wildlife and inspire the next generation of innovators. Key Takeaways: - Deploying Innovative Tech: Get into the technical weeds of the HOWL scale, which leverages dynamic loading and video recording to safely and humanely capture data on endangered red wolves, bypassing the need for tranquilizers. - Mission-Driven Collaboration: See how cross-functional teamwork between NIWC Atlantic, Charleston Southern University, and Charles Towne Landing resulted in a successful, real-world deployment for conservation. - The Power of Mentorship & Resources: Hear how proud the community is of the NIWC Atlantic engineers who mentored these university students, giving the students hands-on experience and access to an advanced manufacturing lab to bring the schematics to life. - Securing the Future Pipeline: The discussion covers the massive ROI of STEM outreach programs—not just for building community ties, but for cultivating the next generation of top-tier IT and engineering talent for the Navy. Produced by: NIWC Atlantic Public Affairs Co-Hosts: Chelsie Holloway and Alex Jackson Audio Technician: Joe Bullinger Technically Speaking is an award-winning production of Naval Information Warfare Center (NIWC) Atlantic Public Affairs. Information presented in the podcast represents the views and opinions of the original content creators and their guests and does not necessarily represent the views and opinions of NIWC Atlantic, the U.S. Navy, Department of Defense or the U.S. government. Any mention of specific companies, products, services or content does not imply endorsement by NIWC Atlantic, the U.S. Navy, Department of Defense or the U.S. government. Transcript Link: https://www.niwcatlantic.navy.mil/Portals/94/Page-Content/Podcast/Transcripts/Ep36-Transcript.txt External Links: https://www.charlestonsouthern.edu/csu-engineering-students-design-technology-for-red-wolf-population-at-charles-towne-landing/ https://southcarolinaparks.com/charles-towne-landing Social Media Links: https://www.facebook.com/NavalInformationWarfareSystemsCommand https://www.instagram.com/navwar_usnavy/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/navwar Contact Us: niwc_lant_ch_pao.fct@us.navy.mil
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    21 mins
  • Technically Speaking Podcast - Episode 35 - How Drones and Robot Dogs Help with Military Operations and Natural Disasters

    Technically Speaking Podcast - Episode 35 - How Drones and Robot Dogs Help with Military Operations and Natural Disasters
    Mar 13 2026
    How Drones and Robot Dogs Help with Military Operations and Natural Disasters (Ep. 35) In this episode of “Technically Speaking” hosts Chelsie and Alex chat about their love for blended strategies and newer “gameplay” in the show Survivor. They compare this to work NIWC Atlantic is accomplishing around technology for unmanned systems such as aerial drones and robot dogs. Chelsie and Alex speak with two members of the NIWC Atlantic Coordinated Hardware Agnostic Operating System (CHAOS) team who create and enhance the technology in these unmanned systems. Gwen Steel, NIWC Atlantic CHAOS Project Lead, and Donovan Lam, NIWC Atlantic CHAOS Hardware Lead, explain the diverse uses of their technology for anything from military reconnaissance to civilian search and rescue after natural disasters. CHAOS also achieves impressive communication capabilities across systems and aid in real-time problem solving for the warfighter. These two experts then share the degrees and skills individuals need if they want to pursue a career that involves innovation around unmanned technology. Next Alex speaks with IT1 Caleb Donaldson for this episode’s military moment. IT1 Donaldson explains why he enlisted into the Navy and how his work with NIWC Atlantic allows him to bring the warfighter perspective to the technology being created here. The episode closes on the hosts summarizing the uniqueness NIWC Atlantic in that it is able to blend warfighter and civilian expertise together to create outstanding information warfare solutions for the United States Navy. Produced by: NIWC Atlantic Public Affairs Co-Hosts: Chelsie Holloway and Alex Jackson Audio Technician: Joe Bullinger Technically Speaking is an award-winning production of Naval Information Warfare Center (NIWC) Atlantic Public Affairs. Information presented in the podcast represents the views and opinions of the original content creators and their guests and does not necessarily represent the views and opinions of NIWC Atlantic, the U.S. Navy, Department of Defense or the U.S. government. Any mention of specific companies, products, services or content does not imply endorsement by NIWC Atlantic, the U.S. Navy, Department of Defense or the U.S. government. Links: https://www.niwcatlantic.navy.mil/ Social Media Links: https://www.facebook.com/NavalInformationWarfareSystemsCommand https://www.instagram.com/navwar_usnavy/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/navwar Contact Us: niwc_lant_ch_pao.fct@us.navy.mil
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    18 mins
  • Technically Speaking Podcast - Episode 34 - Unmanned Autonomous Record-Breaking Ocean Crossing

    Technically Speaking Podcast - Episode 34 - Unmanned Autonomous Record-Breaking Ocean Crossing
    Feb 6 2026
    Unmanned Autonomous Record-Breaking Ocean Crossing (Ep. 34) This episode of “Technically Speaking” highlights the record-breaking achievement of Naval Information Warfare Center (NIWC) Atlantic’s work with unmanned surface vessels (USV). Engineers within NIWC Atlantic’s Unmanned Naval Innovation Team (UNIT) completed the fastest known transatlantic crossing of a USV! First, listeners will hear from hosts Chelsie Holloway and Alex Jackson as they recant their holiday festivities which included a trip to New York City and celebration with family in Georgia. Next, Chelsie and Alex sit down with Mike Grass, NIWC Atlantic lead scientist and program manager for UNIT, to hear all about the preparation and challenges that came UNIT’s way during the crossing. UNIT faced tropical storm weather, fuel shortages, and damaged cables during the 62 day crossing, and handled every challenge with tenacity and innovative problem solving. All resulting in key breakthroughs such as proving truly long‑endurance autonomous operations over an oceanic distance and validating global command and control handoffs. Grass explains how this accomplishment is vital to the future of Naval warfare. The push for more capabilities with autonomous and unmanned vessels will allow the Navy to take risk on machines instead of sailors in contested environments. It also helps the Fleet cover more water with fewer people, enabling a more persistent presence, faster sensing-to-shooting timelines, and new concepts of operations at a lower cost to the government. Lastly, Alex chats with GySgt. Marco Jaramilloarias for this episode’s Military moment segment. He explains how he supports Marine Corps aviation in Hampton Roads, VA and the value of brotherhood within the armed services. The hosts wrap up with reflecting on how teamwork has resulted in success and innovation within the NIWC Atlantic workforce. Produced by: NIWC Atlantic Public Affairs Co-Hosts: Chelsie Holloway and Alex Jackson Audio Technician: Joe Bullinger Technically Speaking is an award-winning production of Naval Information Warfare Center (NIWC) Atlantic Public Affairs. Information presented in the podcast represents the views and opinions of the original content creators and their guests and does not necessarily represent the views and opinions of NIWC Atlantic, the U.S. Navy, Department of Defense or the U.S. government. Any mention of specific companies, products, services or content does not imply endorsement by NIWC Atlantic, the U.S. Navy, Department of Defense or the U.S. government. Links: https://www.niwcatlantic.navy.mil/Media/News-Stories/Article/4340011/success-at-sea-unmanned-surface-vessel-completes-fastest-transatlantic-crossing/ Social Media Links: https://www.facebook.com/NavalInformationWarfareSystemsCommand https://www.instagram.com/navwar_usnavy/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/navwar Contact Us: niwc_lant_ch_pao.fct@us.navy.mil
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    20 mins
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