USSTRATCOM Commander Visits Indiana Naval Lab

CRANE, Ind., Sept. 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Adm. Rich Correll, commander of U.S. Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM), visited Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division (NSWC Crane) to learn about the laboratory's contributions to the nation's nuclear deterrence posture and broader strategic enterprise. The visit marked the first time a USSTRATCOM Commander has toured the Indiana facility, underscoring NSWC Crane's growing national relevance in delivering strategic capabilities to the nation's warfighters.

"NSWC Crane plays an important role in supporting the nation's strategic deterrence mission, and I appreciated the opportunity to meet the professionals advancing these capabilities," Adm. Correll said. "NSWC Crane is the center of gravity of a really important capability for the nation. Their work in areas such as strategic systems and trusted microelectronics contributes to the broader enterprise that ensures our forces remain ready, resilient, and effective. Engaging with the workforce and participating in the Strategic Business Communications Meeting provided valuable insight into how technical innovation across the Navy's warfare centers supports the nation's operational forces."

USSTRATCOM oversees the nation's strategic forces, ensuring credible, ready, and modernized capabilities that deter adversary aggression. NSWC Crane plays a direct role in that mission through its work in strategic systems hardware, trusted microelectronics, and emerging hypersonic technologies—core elements of the modernization portfolio shaping U.S. and allied security. These efforts position the Indiana laboratory as a critical contributor to the strategic enterprise, particularly as the Department of War accelerates technology development to meet pacing‑threat timelines.

During the visit, Adm. Correll met with engineers and scientists driving advancements in strategic deterrence technologies, toured NSWC Crane's mission‑critical development and integration facilities, and delivered the keynote address at the Strategic Business Communications Meeting (SBCM). His remarks highlighted how rapid technical innovation, accelerated engineering cycles, and resilient supply chains are essential to sustaining U.S. strategic advantage. The event's theme - "Defending the Homeland in the Heartland: Indiana Innovation, Global Impact, Decisive Advantage" - framed the Commander's engagement and emphasized NSWC Crane's expanding role in delivering next‑generation capabilities to the Fleet and Joint Force.

"We were honored to host Adm. Correll at NSWC Crane and highlight the critical capabilities we provide to U.S. Strategic Command," said Dr. Angela Lewis, SES, Technical Director at NSWC Crane. "Our workforce is deeply engaged in advancing the technologies that underpin the nation's global strike and strategic deterrence missions. The Commander saw firsthand how Indiana's engineering talent and industrial‑base partnerships are accelerating modernization and delivering measurable advantage to the Fleet and the Joint Force. His visit—and his insights at our Strategic Business Communications Meeting—reinforce how the solutions developed here in the heartland directly strengthen homeland defense."

SBCM is an annual, command‑signature event that brings leaders together to align strategic priorities, share operational best practices, challenge assumptions, and review defense and mission updates across the enterprise. The forum strengthens cross‑department coordination and reinforces a culture of accountability, data‑driven decision‑making, and decisive action—key elements in accelerating mission readiness for the warfighter.

About NSWC Crane | NSWC Crane is a naval laboratory and a field activity of Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) with mission areas in Strategic Missions, Electromagnetic Warfare, and Expeditionary Warfare. The warfare center is responsible for multi-domain, multi-spectral, full life cycle support of technologies and systems enhancing capability to today's Warfighter.

SOURCE Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division