BAE Systems and midshipmen from the U.S. Naval Academy recently completed another year of a unique internship program. Started in 2016, the program gives our service men and women the opportunity to experience how the aerospace and defense industry works, and provides them insights into potential practical applications of their curriculum. BAE Systems has welcomed six midshipmen each summer during the program’s tenure.
Under a Midshipman Research Agreement between BAE Systems and USNA, midshipmen complete a month-long internship at BAE Systems, working on independent research and development projects. Midshipmen are in training for commissions as ensigns in the U.S. Navy or second lieutenants in the U.S. Marine Corps. During their internships, the students typically engage in radio frequency signal processing and cyber defense projects, as well as learning how the industry works with its customers to outline real-world requirements for the acquisition of signals intelligence (SIGINT), electronic warfare (EW) and cyber defense systems.
“This program provides a wonderful opportunity for our engineers to develop relationships with future customers, who then have a greater understanding of how our industry operates,” said Matt Bartel, program director at BAE Systems. “Giving these students a practical application of what they’ve been learning at the academy is a really positive win-win for both organizations.”
During the academic year following the internships, the midshipmen may also complete capstone projects detailing what they’ve learned with mentoring and consultation from BAE Systems engineers.
“For these midshipmen, gaining industry experience prior to graduation is a rare opportunity,” said Bartel. “Collaborating with the future leaders of the U.S. Navy is incredibly rewarding for our engineers as well.”
C4ISR Systems
Our advanced C4ISR systems give decision makers the ability to understand and predict events in the ground, sea, air, space, cyber, and electromagnetic domains to outpace adversaries.