Robert A. LaFreniere

Dr. Robert LaFreniere, a native of Newton, Massachusetts, joined the Maritime Sensors Program Management Office (MSPMO) in May 2020. Dr. LaFreniere is responsible for imaging and radio frequency (RF) systems and the delivery and continued improvement of submarine systems.

Prior to joining MSPMO, LaFreniere was the Director of the Tactical Analysis Group (TAG) for the Undersea Warfighting Development Center (UWDC). LaFreniere then served as the Scientific Director for UWDC. In this position, he was tasked to interface with academic and research and development (R&D) activities to investigate emerging technologies and their applicability to UWDC efforts.

LaFreniere’s service as a government civilian spans 33 years and a variety of rewarding assignments at the Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC) including: Structural Analysis, Director of Materials Science Laboratory, Periscope Chief Engineer, Program Manager for CLUSTER BIGHT and Program Manager for TOPGATE. Following a move to NAVSEA 05N in 2012, he served as the Imaging and Electronic Warfare (I&EW) Technical Warrant Holder (TWH).

LaFreniere is married to his wife of 27 years. His hobbies include gardening, cycling and hockey and he holds a B.S. in mechanical engineering from Rutgers University, a M.S. in mechanical engineering from UConn, and a Ph.D. in Applied Mechanics, also from UConn.