2 schools to assist SPAWAR

The University of South Carolina and Clemson University are among a pool of seven schools selected to compete for $30 million over the next six years from the U.S. Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center.

SPAWAR spokesman Lonnie Cowart said the center will use university centers of excellence for advanced research and development projects in such fields as physics, mathematics, computer science and engineering.

Projects may include computer hardware engineering, communications, cybersecurity, sensors and wireless or computer networks.

Other schools selected were Old Dominion, Penn State and Virginia Tech universities, and the universities of New Orleans and South Alabama.

SPAWAR officials will work with university leaders to develop plans to complete specific tasks. And the schools will compete for a portion of the $30 million, Cowart said.

Michael Huhns, USC’s interim chairman of the Department of Computer Science and Engineering, said the program “streamlines the mechanism for us to work with SPAWAR and for them to take advantage of our expertise.”

USC might work with SPAWAR in the areas of computer security and modernizing information systems, Huhns said.

A collaboration with SPAWAR would benefit the university by supporting research, training students and promoting business in the state, he said.

Clemson officials said they can’t comment on the program because they haven’t yet received official confirmation from SPAWAR.

Cowart said the work will be completed in Charleston, New Orleans, Norfolk, Va., and on the various campuses.