Wednesday marked another red-letter day in terms of collaboration between Indiana University and Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane, as a “smart tech” R&D agreement was signed between the facility and IU’s School of Informatics and Computing.

Research conducted under the pact will help integrate modern “smart” technology into current systems vital to the nation’s defense. Specific studies will focus on ways to improve military sensor technology through machine learning and artificial intelligence.

The lead researchers on the project are Sriraam Natarajan, an associate professor with the SoIC at IU Bloomington, and Robert Cruise, chief scientist for the Special Warfare and Expeditionary Systems Department at NSWC Crane.

Read more about the agreement here.