Understanding DOD “PIAs”: Navy Innovator Provides Inside Scoop

In a CET Sandbox session, Graham Plaster–Director of Nautilus and Deputy Director of the Office of Naval Research (ONR)–shared how the U.S. Navy is evolving its innovation outreach and deepening its engagement with Israeli defense startups. With experience spanning Navy deployments, the Pentagon, tech startups, and now leading a key innovation intermediary, Plaster provided a comprehensive look at how Israeli technologies can plug into the U.S. military ecosystem.

Overview

The U.S. Navy and its innovation arms are increasingly leaning on nontraditional models to find and fund emerging technologies. Through partnership intermediary agreements (PIAs) like Nautilus, the Navy can identify startups with promising capabilities–often earlier in their development–and help them cross the “valley of death.” For Israeli companies, understanding this landscape offers a new pathway into the U.S. defense market.

What is Nautilus and How Does It Work?

Nautilus is a PIA operating under Defense Works, designed to help government entities like the Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division scout commercial innovation. By running collaboration and assessment events, Nautilus connects problem holders inside the Navy with emerging tech companies. These companies, often nontraditional defense players, work with the Navy to build custom prototypes–sometimes funded directly through the PIA mechanism.

How Does the Office of Naval Research Fit In?

ONR is the Navy’s primary R&D organization, with a century-long legacy in deep tech, including nuclear propulsion and submarine systems. It now encompasses newer initiatives like NavalX, designed to accelerate the adoption of commercially developed technologies. ONR is focused more on early-stage tech, unlike organizations such as the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU), which emphasize later-stage adoption and procurement.

How Can Israeli Startups Engage?

Participation depends on the mission partner’s openness to international tech. Some Nautilus-led events have included Japanese startups, and there is growing interest in broader international collaboration–including Israel. While contracting directly with the U.S. government is easier through a U.S. subsidiary, Israeli firms can participate in collaboration events and potentially build U.S.-based entities to pursue long-term contracts.

What Technologies Is the Navy Looking For?

The Navy has broad interests: autonomy, cyber, hypersonics, sensor systems, and anything applicable to surface warfare (excluding subs, which fall under separate jurisdictions). Plaster also pointed to macro areas like AI integration, dual-use energy innovations, and the convergence of quantum computing with machine learning. While ONR operates earlier in the tech readiness cycle, there’s flexibility depending on the needs of the Navy stakeholders.

Key Takeaways

• Nautilus is a fast-track innovation hub helping the Navy find and prototype new tech through a nonprofit intermediary structure.
• Israeli startups can engage through collaboration events, especially with U.S.-based partners or subsidiaries.
• The Navy is particularly focused on autonomy, cyber, hypersonics, and applied AI.
• Working with ONR or Nautilus doesn’t require a U.S. Prime contractor partner–a significant shift from traditional procurement norms.
• Cross-collaboration is encouraged; startups already working with DIU or AFWERX can explore Nautilus as an additional pathway.

Conclusion

As U.S. national security shifts toward greater agility and broader innovation sourcing, programs like Nautilus are key entry points for Israeli companies. By understanding the structure, process, and partnership pathways of the U.S. Navy’s innovation landscape, Israeli startups can position themselves not just as vendors but as vital contributors to allied defense priorities.