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NIWC Pacific In The News

06 FEB. 2026 - Navy Command Co-Hosts Information Sessions to Encourage U.S. Participation in NATO Unmanned Exercise This Fall

PORT HUENEME, CA — U.S. industry and government representatives from around the country as well as those from several U.S. Navy enterprises, all focused on unmanned and robotics systems, came together to learn how they could participate in a multination maritime exercise this fall during a two-day event hosted by Naval Surface Warfare Center, Port Hueneme Division (NSWC PHD) and the U.S. Naval Academy (USNA).

NSWC PHD acting Chief Technology Officer Alan Jaeger serves as the U.S. head of delegation for the NATO Joint Capability Group for Maritime Unmanned Systems (JCGMUS) and helped organize the industry day and exercise preplanning meeting, held Jan. 13-14 at the command’s Fathomwerx Lab at the Port of Hueneme and at the USNA in Annapolis, Maryland.
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09 JAN. 2026 - U.S. Navy Tested Virtual Reality Trainer On USS Theodore Roosevelt

SAN DIEGO, CA — Virtual reality remains part of the new reality for training across the United States military. The technology could soon be integrated on the largest warships. Training with this new technology could help the United States Navy avoid incidents such as the collision between one of its aircraft carriers and a commercial vessel near the Suez Canal last year.

This week, the United States Navy announced that sailors onboard the Nimitz‑class nuclear‑powered supercarrier, USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN‑71), took part in a virtual training demonstration utilizing the "Virtual Bridge and Nautical Trainer," also known as "VIBRaNT."
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15 DEC. 2025 - NIWC Pacific: Forging the Future of Naval Warfare Through Industry Partnerships

SAN DIEGO, CA — Since 1775, when the Continental Congress authorized the purchase of two warships, the U.S. Navy has recognized the power of collaboration, strategically partnering with industry to develop its cutting‑edge systems, platforms, and innovations. While traditional contracts remain the bedrock of these relationships, an increasingly vital, yet often‑underestimated tool, is the Cooperative Research and Development Agreement, or CRADA.

Enabled by Congress in 1986 as part of the Stevenson‑Wydler Act, CRADAs provide a flexible framework that allows government, industry, and academia to quickly and efficiently forge collaborative solutions that bolster naval power.
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17 Nov. 2025 - NIWC Pacific Advances Work on Quantum‑Enhanced Fiber Optic Gyroscopes

SAN DIEGO, CA — Scientists at Naval Information Warfare Center (NIWC) Pacific are pushing the boundaries of navigation technology with their research on quantum‑enhanced fiber optic gyroscopes (FOGs). This innovative work focuses on mitigating noise and increasing the flux in quantum FOGs to achieve unprecedented precision in angular rotation sensitivity which is critical for the Navy’s navigation and operational superiority.

Fiber optic gyroscopes are essential tools for inertial navigation, enabling precise orientation without reliance on GPS, according to Joanna Ptasinski, head of NIWC Pacific’s Cryogenic Electronics and Quantum Research branch. By integrating quantum mechanics, specifically entangled photon states known as N00N states, the NIWC Pacific research team is developing technology which is expected to eventually surpass classical limits of sensitivity.
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11 NOV. 2025 - Defense industry is hiring Hawaii students

HONOLULU, CA — College and university students across Hawaii now have the chance to take part in one of the state’s most selective summer opportunities.

The Pacific Intelligence & Innovation Initiative, known as P3I, announced applications are open for the VICEROY MAVEN, Powered by P3I Internship for Summer 2026.
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23 Sept. 2025 - Hunting the Most Elusive Whale

SAN DIEGO, CA — More than 60 miles off the coast of Baja, California, the crew of the Pacific Storm hauled an underwater microphone behind their boat while scanning the horizon with binoculars for signs of life.

For years, researchers had been searching for the source of a high‑pitch‑ed click frequently detected in these waters. They had given it a name: BW43. BW for beaked whale, and 43 for the frequency of the tone, which peaks at 43 kilohertz. Modified for perception by human hearing, the noise sounds like a series of rapid clicks, like running a fingernail along the teeth of a plastic comb. In 2024, a team of scientists from the United States and Mexico embarked on a special research expedition to solve the mysterious source of the sound.
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17 Sept. 2025 - Pearl Harbor shipyard plans to use drones for lofty inspections, security

FORT SHAFTER, HI — Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard is planning to use drones to assist with maintenance and inspections to speed up work and increase worker safety.

The shipyard began a multi‑year ramp‑up of a drone program after a successful demonstration this summer by the San‑Diego‑based Naval Information Warfare Center Pacific
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04 Sept. 2025 - SAIC's Strategic Alignment with U.S. Defense and Civilian Priorities in FY2026

SAN DIEGO, CA – In an era of fiscal uncertainty and shifting national security priorities, Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) has positioned itself as a key player in aligning with the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) and civilian agency priorities for fiscal year (FY) 2026. By leveraging its expertise in advanced technologies and mission‑critical services, is navigating a landscape where strategic foresight and adaptability are paramount. This analysis examines how SAIC’s current initiatives and contracts align with FY2026 priorities, offering insights into its long‑term growth resilience.

The DoD’s FY2026 Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation (RDTE) budget underscores a strategic pivot toward disruptive technologies, allocating over $2.2 billion for artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) applications in reconnaissance, logistics, and autonomous systems [1]. Quantum computing, hypersonics, and space technologies also feature prominently, with integrated systems designed to optimize real‑time decision‑making and operational effectiveness [1]. For instance, the U.S. Space Force’s $29 billion RDTE budget emphasizes AI‑augmented space operations and quantum‑enabled navigation, reflecting a broader push to dominate multi‑domain warfare [1]
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04 Sept. 2025 - Operation Shoehorn: Securing 5G for Tactical Advantage

SAN DIEGO, CA – Naval Information Warfare Center (NIWC) Pacific and Navy Cyber Defense Operations Command (NCDOC) personnel began a threat assessment of the NIWC 5G Tactical Training Network on Sept. 3, 2025, on board Naval Base Point Loma. This assessment is part of Operation Shoehorn, the comprehensive effort to test and develop a secure 5G tactical network.

5G networks have presented unique security challenges which have prevented integration with Navy systems. The NIWC Pacific Tactical Communications Branch aims to solve that problem.
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09 Sept. 2025 - Self Defense Test Ship Returns Home to Naval Surface Warfare Center, Port Hueneme Division After Refurbishing in San Diego

PORT HUENEME, CA – Naval Surface Warfare Center, Port Hueneme Division’s (NSWC PHD) Self Defense Test Ship (SDTS) returned June 12 to its home at Naval Base Ventura County after a 14‑month necessary Selected Restricted Availability (SRA) for maintenance, repairs and modernization.

The SDTS arrived at Naval Base San Diego on April 2, 2024, to begin repairs for hull, mechanical and electrical (HM&E) maintenance and upgrades at BAE Systems Ship Repair’s shipyard in San Diego.
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27 Aug. 2025 - NAVWAR Fosters Collaboration and Engagement with Small Business at 2025 Gold Coast Conference

SAN DIEGO, CA -- Naval Information Warfare Systems Command (NAVWAR) was a key participant at the recent National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA) Department of the Navy (DON) Gold Coast conference Aug. 18‑21. Held at the San Diego Convention Center, the leading procurement event brought together small business representatives and Navy leadership for an educational discussion on how to best support the warfighter mission.

As a premier opportunity to interface with industry, there was significant presence from across the NAVWAR enterprise, including headquarters, Naval Information Warfare Center (NIWC) Pacific, Program Executive Office (PEO) Digital and Enterprise Services (Digital) and PEO Command, Control, Communications, Computers and Intelligence (C4I). With panels on acquisition and contracts, along with industry matchmaking sessions, there were many opportunities for government personnel to have direct conversations with small business representatives.
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18 Aug. 2025 - Military, state leaders seek to train high‑tech workforce

HONOLULU HI – RELATED PHOTO GALLERY State and military leaders are hoping to start a “new industrial revolution ” here in the islands with a focus on manufacturing and 3D printing tech.

Honolulu Community College on Aug. 6 unveiled a new Advanced Manufacturing Program Facility. The new training center is part of an umbrella of programs funded by the U.S. military to seed education and training programs in Hawaii for highly skilled industrial roles and train people how to use advanced new tools and techniques.
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12 Aug. 2025 - Defense Leaders Recognize Cyber Interns for Contributions to National Security

WASHINGTON VA – Leaders from across the Defense Department gathered at the Pentagon, Aug. 4, 2025, to recognize seven top‑performing student interns from the Virtual Institutes for Cyber and Electromagnetic Spectrum Research and Employ Maven internship program, underscoring the strategic importance of the VICEROY initiative in addressing the department’s most pressing cyber and electromagnetic spectrum workforce challenges.

Hosted by the Office of the Undersecretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, the event brought leaders together to celebrate the achievements of the interns and reinforce the initiative’s alignment with the department’s priorities to rebuild the military, restore the warrior ethos and reestablish deterrence. In attendance were: Undersecretary of Defense for Research and Engineering Emil Michael, Director of the Cyber Academic Engagement Office and Principal Director for DOD CIO’s Resources and Analysis Mark Gorak, Principal Director for Integrated Sensing and Cyber Kevin Rudd and VICEROY National Director and Director for Cyber‑Spectrum Academic Engagement Chester Maciag.
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11 Aug. 2025 - Announcing the winners of the 2025 CyberScoop 50 awards

WASHINGTON D.C. – Scoop News Group is thrilled to honor the standout winners of the 2025 CyberScoop 50 Awards, recognizing the leaders who protect our networks, data, and infrastructure while driving innovation across cybersecurity..

Over three months, voters nationwide nominated and selected trailblazers who demonstrated exceptional dedication, creativity, and resilience. With more than 800,000 votes across five categories, this year’ s honorees truly represent the best in the field..
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01 Aug. 2025 - U.S. Military Explores Hydrogen Generators for Ship and Shore Applications

MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA -- In support of Department of Defense strategic priorities to improve energy dominance, reduce logistical fuel supply vulnerabilities, and enable distributed operations in contested and austere environments, Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) has awarded Pratt Miller a contract to prototype their solution for the Expeditionary Hydrogen On Ship & Shore (EHOSS) project. The effort is designed to generate, store, and distribute hydrogen both aboard ship and ashore, creating a tactical “micro hydrogen supply chain” using commercial‑off‑the‑shelf components (COTS) including data acquisition and remote monitoring capability.

Through EHOSS, DIU, in close collaboration with U.S. Indo‑Pacific Command, U.S. Marine Corps Expeditionary Energy Office, Naval Research Laboratory, Naval Undersea Warfare Command, U.S. Army Ground Vehicle Systems Center, and Naval Information Warfare Center Pacific are addressing operational requirements to improve energy resilience and extend capabilities at the tactical edge.
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28 July 2025 - Cleared for takeoff: New drone tech takes flight at Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard & Intermediate Maintenance Facility

PEARL HARBOR, HI – A soft whirring cut through the still morning air above a quiet corner of Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard & Intermediate Maintenance Facility as a Skydio X10D drone rose into the air, gliding smoothly toward the bright blue Hawaiian sky on June 18, 2025. This marked the beginning of a special project with the Naval Information Warfare Center Pacific and PHNSY & IMF, aimed at exploring how drones can help the shipyard stay safe, repair issues more quickly and respond to emergencies.

"We are looking to utilize drone technology to help our inspection, maintenance, and engineering groups to perform visual inspections and access portions of the crane where we would normally have to use a mobile elevated work platform," said Kamuela Unga, Inspection, Test QA, and Training division head. Unga is hoping that drones may be the answer to help mitigate the safety hazards often involved in working at great heights on large industrial cranes within the shipyard.
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28 July 2025 - Cleared for Takeoff: New Drone Tech Takes Flight at PHNSY & IMF

PEARL HARBOR, HI -- A soft whirring cut through the still morning air above a quiet corner of Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard & Intermediate Maintenance Facility as a Skydio X10D drone rose into the air, gliding smoothly toward the bright blue Hawaiian sky on June 18, 2025. This marked the beginning of a special project with the Naval Information Warfare Center Pacific and PHNSY & IMF, aiming to explore how drones can help the shipyard stay safe, repair issues more quickly, and respond to emergencies.

"We are looking to utilize drone technology to help our inspection, maintenance, and engineering groups to perform visual inspections and access portions of the crane where we would normally have to use a mobile elevated work platform," said Kamuela Unga, Code 740 Inspection, Test QA, and Training Division Head. Unga is hoping that drones may be the answer to help mitigate the safety hazards often involved in working at great heights on large industrial cranes within the shipyard.
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16 July 2025 - 2 UTD Students Earn Prestigious Scholarships From US Department of Defense

AUSTIN, TX -- Two University of Texas at Dallas students are taking their engineering ambitions to the next level thanks to highly competitive scholarships from the U.S. Department of Defense.

Frisco resident and computer engineering doctoral student Victoria Gammenthaler and mechanical engineering senior Kevin Dinh have both been awarded Science, Mathematics and Research for Transformation (SMART) scholarships, a significant honor for students in STEM fields. Both are part of the Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science.
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O4 July 2025 - Q&A: Spencer Koroly, NWIC Pacific, on Rugged 3D printer for Field Deployment and In‑Flight Manufacturing

SAN DIEGO, CA -- 3D printing while airborne aboard a tiltrotor aircraft or during off‑road maneuvers in military vehicles is an irregular testing approach for new 3D printers. Yet, under these extreme conditions a US Navy developed expeditionary 3D printer rose to the challenge. I spoke with the project lead to learn more.

The Advanced Manufacturing Operational System, or AMOS, is a compact, ruggedized polymer printer designed by the Naval Information Warfare Center (NIWC) Pacific to fill a longstanding operational gap: reliable, field‑deployable additive manufacturing for autonomous systems.
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02 July 2025 - Marine‑Crafted Tech NPS Grad's ARES App Optimizes Battle Planning

MONTEREY, CA -- What began as a Marine infantry officer’s frustration during a field exercise has now – thanks to his dedicated work at the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) -- become a transformational piece of technology poised to reshape how the U.S. Marine Corps plans tactical ship‑to‑shore operations.

For his June 2023 NPS graduate thesis in operations research, “Mission Planning Optimization for Infantry Operations,” U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Ryan Helm focused his research on first‑hand knowledge of a real‑world capability gap. His solution, the Augmented Reconnaissance and Estimate of the Situation (ARES) application, is an innovative digital tool designed to automate and accelerate the planning of complex assault missions, from months to mere seconds.
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01 July 2025 - Department of Navy Top Scientists, Engineers Recognized for Excellence

WASHINGTON, DC – The Department of the Navy recognized the finest in Navy and Marine Corps science and engineering June 25 at the Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development, and Acquisition (ASN RD&A) Dr. Delores M. Etter Top Scientists and Engineers awards ceremony. Dr. Brett A. Seidle, Acting ASN(RD&A) and Mr. Peter C. Reddy, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development, Test, and Engineering (DASN(RDT&E)), personally recognized top scientists and engineers from across the Department of the Navy (DON) and highlighted their incredible accomplishments.

The award is named after former ASN(RD&A), Dr. Delores M. Etter, who delivered a recorded message congratulating the award recipients. She encouraged all DON scientists and engineers to continue pursuing innovations that support America's fleet and warfighters, and to inspire future generations of scientists and engineers for DON science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) positions.
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24 June 2025 - NIWC Pacific Teams Enhance Joint Capabilities at Balikatan 2025

SAN DIEGO – The combined team played a pivotal role in supporting the Maritime Strike (MARSTK) and technology transition portions of BK‑25, directly contributing to U.S. Indo‑Pacific Command objectives. Partnering with Naval Surface Warfare Center Carderock Division and Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division at Point Mugu, NIWC Pacific equipped a target vessel with instruments for weapons lethality and battle damage testing. These efforts included technical support and training initiatives to bolster the AFP’s operational readiness.

"By combining the expertise of the RESTORE Lab and the Indo‑Pacific Department, we were able to deliver comprehensive support to the AFP and enhance the overall effectiveness of Balikatan 2025,” said Ray Provost, director of the RESTORE Lab.
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23 June 2025 - Nanosatellite Mission Yields Key Insights for Warfighter Capabilities

SAN DIEGO – A team of engineers at Naval Information Warfare Center (NIWC) Pacific recently concluded a groundbreaking nanosatellite mission, the Laser Crosslink Experiment (LaCE), which has yielded valuable insights for future warfighter capabilities.

The LaCE team, part of the Space Systems branch, successfully integrated, tested, and operated the 6U nanosatellite mission between March 4, 2024, and May 18, 2025. Adding to the challenge, almost all the hardware and software used in these missions was first‑of‑a‑kind, meaning it had never been flown or tested in space.
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22 May 2025 - NIWC Pacific Enhances India’s Maritime Security Capabilities

SAN DIEGO – The U.S. Navy is strengthening maritime security in the Indo‑Pacific region through a $125 million initiative designed to enhance India’s maritime domain awareness. Naval Information Warfare Center (NIWC) Pacific is playing a central role in the Indo‑Pacific Maritime Domain Awareness (IPMDA) program, a flagship effort under the U.S. Indo‑Pacific Strategy.

The IPMDA initiative aims to improve maritime awareness and regional coordination by providing partner nations with unclassified maritime situational awareness tools and data. A core component of the case is SeaVision, a U.S. Navy‑managed platform that aggregates Automatic Identification System (AIS) and other vessel tracking data to enable secure, real‑time maritime monitoring, according to Robert Lendvay, NIWC Pacific Foreign Military Sales Case Manager supporting the Navy’s International C4I Integration Program Office [PMW 740]. Lendvay has spearheaded the effort since January 2023. The initiative also integrates commercial satellite‑based radio frequency (RF) detection capabilities from HawkEye 360, enabling partner nations to detect and monitor vessels operating without transponders. Together, these tools create a multi‑layered operational picture that significantly enhances India’s ability to monitor its maritime domain and contribute to regional security objectives.
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14 May 2025 - First Augmented Reality Maintenance Systems Operational on Five Ships

PORT HUENEME, CA -- Sailors are a ship’s first line of defense against system failures. But when the issue requires a subject matter expert (SME), repairs have often had to wait until a technician could travel to the ship.

Enter ARMS, short for the Augmented Reality Maintenance System. ARMS enables sailors and Naval Surface Warfare Center, Port Hueneme Division (NSWC PHD) SMEs to instantly address system failures and eliminate the need for costly travel — and it’s now installed aboard five Navy ships.
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01 May 2025 - NAVWAR Pioneers Augmented Reality Technology to Provide Technical Support from Anywhere

SAN DIEGO, CA -- U.S. Navy ships are akin to ecosystems, highly intricate systems all working in tandem with the Sailors who utilize and maintain them. When something breaks, the ecosystem remains out‑of‑balance, sometimes even bringing operations to a standstill, until it can be fixed. Coordinating repairs on an underway ship is complex and costly, involving logistics to schedule flights, technician’s availability and funding approvals.

Now, thanks to enhanced technology available to the Navy like Augmented Reality Maintenance System (ARMS), fielded by Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) Port Hueneme Division (PHD) and championed by Naval Information Warfare Systems Command (NAVWAR), a technician can connect with a Sailor aboard a ship from anywhere in the world and provide real‑time technical assistance, maintenance support or training. Usable on AR headsets, smart goggles, tablets, etc., the ARMS software is viable on a multitude of hardware devices to provide even more flexibility to the user.
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09 Apr. 2025 - JUST IN: Autonomous Vessel Proving its Worth to Forward‑Deployed Marines

The Marine Corps is trying to figure out how it will sustain forces in a potential Indo‑Pacific conflict, and a new autonomous watercraft could be a key capability in the service’s toolkit.

The 12th Littoral Logistics Battalion — a subordinate element of the 12th Marine Littoral Regiment stationed in Okinawa, Japan — in January completed new equipment training with the Autonomous Low‑Profile Vessel, a semi‑submersible logistics distribution system that can be configured to deliver a variety of supplies such as food, water, fuel, ammunition, medical supplies and repair parts.
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18 Mar. 2025 - USS Ohio Submarine Completes Modernization Overhaul

The Navy’s USS Ohio completed an extensive overhaul earlier this month, marking a big milestone for the service’s first nuclear‑powered guided‑missile submarine of its class. Naval Sea Systems Command (SEA 07) granted the vessel certification for unrestricted operations following its modernization, allowing the Ohio to return to the Indo‑Pacific theatre. The restoration of Ohio’s operational readiness is crucial for carrying out America’s policy of “peace through strength,” especially in light of China’s naval developments. The People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) has more than doubled in size over the last two decades. As tensions in the South China Sea continue to ramp up, vital U.S. assets like the Ohio-class submarines will undoubtedly play an outsized role in projecting American power out at sea.

According to the Navy, the Ohio overhaul project included more than 512,000 resource days of work, with contributions from “PSNS & IMF, ship’s force (USS Ohio Gold and USS Ohio Blue), International Marine and Industrial Applicators; Alteration Installation Teams; Naval Information Warfare Center, Pacific; Naval Information Warfare Center, Atlantic; Commander, Submarine Force; U.S. Pacific Fleet and Squadron 19.” The timely reintroduction of Ohio to the fleet will only enhance the Navy’s underwater prowess.
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13 Mar. 2025 - PSNS & IMF completes 3‑year MMP availability on USS Ohio (SSGN 726)

BREMERTON, WA – USS Ohio (SSGN 726) completed a three‑year Major Maintenance Period availability at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard & Intermediate Maintenance Facility Feb. 24, 2025, culminating with Naval Sea Systems Command (SEA 07) certification for Unrestricted Operations, and helping return the nuclear‑powered guided‑missile submarine back to the Indo‑Pacific theater of operations.

According to Josh Fleming, project superintendent, Code 326, USS Ohio Project Team, the Ohio project included more than 512,000 resource days of work, with contributions from PSNS & IMF, ship’s force (USS Ohio Gold and USS Ohio Blue), International Marine and Industrial Applicators; Alteration Installation Teams; Naval Information Warfare Center, Pacific; Naval Information Warfare Center, Atlantic; Commander, Submarine Force; U.S. Pacific Fleet and Squadron 19.
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28 Feb. 2025 - 12th LLB Marines Train with ALPV, Enhance Autonomous Logistics Capabilities

CAMP HANSEN, OKINAWA, JAPAN – Ten Marines with 12th Littoral Logistics Battalion successfully completed new equipment training with the Autonomous Low‑Profile Vessel (ALPV) at Naha Military Port, Okinawa, Japan, in January 2025. The training, sponsored by the Marine Corps Warfighting Lab, and provided by Naval Information Warfare Center Pacific (NIWC‑PAC), introduced Marines to both remote and direct operation of the ALPV, a next‑generation unmanned logistics platform designed to sustain Stand‑in Forces in contested maritime environments.

The ALPV is an autonomous logistics distribution system that may be configured to deliver multiple variations of supplies, including food/water, fuel, ammunition, medical supplies, repair parts and other equipment throughout the littorals. This technology is crucial for providing sustainment to Stand‑in Forces, including 12th Marine Littoral Regiment and other forward based III MEF units operating in contested areas.
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15 Feb. 2025 - Navy Dolphins, Sea Lions Safe After Growler Crashes 200 Yards from Pens

SAN DIEGO, CA – Just moments after a Navy EA‑18G Growler jet crashed into San Diego Bay this week, members of the U.S. Navy’s Marine Mammal Program sprung into action.

The twin‑engine electronic warfare jet plunged into the bay just about 200 yards from a set of pens holding several dozen bottlenose dolphins and California sea lions, which the Navy uses to help find and mark submerged mines that endanger vessels. The pens, one of several marine mammal enclosures along the bay at Naval Base Point Loma, are just across the busy waters from the runways at Naval Air Station North Island.
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03 Feb. 2025 - NAVWAR at WEST 2025: The Future of Multi‑Domain Warfare Demands Agility and Audacious Innovation

SAN DIEGO, CA – At the 2025 WEST Conference in San Diego, Naval Information Warfare Systems Command (NAVWAR) reinforced its commitment to driving technological innovation and strengthening the Navy’s operational advantage. Through dynamic discussions, strategic engagements and live demonstrations, NAVWAR emphasized the need to rethink conventional approaches to warfare, as well as the role of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) tools to outpace emerging threats.

As the premier naval conference and exposition on the West Coast, WEST offered industry and academia experts the valuable opportunity to engage with U.S. Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard leaders. Co‑sponsored by Armed Forces Communications & Electronics Association (AFCEA) International and the U.S. Naval Institute (USNI), thousands of people attended at the San Diego Convention Center Jan. 28‑30 to discuss the landscape of increasingly complex challenges in alignment with the theme: the future is now, are we advancing operational capabilities that pace the threat?.
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26 Dec. 2024 - Navy Seeks to Accelerate Adoption of AI/ML Powered Systems - Seapower

ARLEIGH BURK NM - Class guided‑missile destroyer USS Truxtun (DDG 103), left, operates in the Red Sea, May 1, 2023, while supporting the Department of State’s efforts to evacuate U.S. citizens and others who have requested departure from Sudan. Credit: U.S. Africa Command.

Deterring China and addressing other global security challenges require the U.S. Navy to evolve in key areas, including faster integration of robotics and autonomous capabilities, said Admiral Lisa M. Franchetti, the 33rd chief of naval operations, in the new 2024 Navigation Plan released in September.
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02 Dec. 2024 - US Approves $125M High Gain Measurement System Sale to UK

WASHINGTON, DC – The US State Department has authorized a potential $125 million foreign military sale to the UK for a High Gain Measurement System (HGMS).

The HGMS is a specialized radar system designed for precise measurement and analysis of radar cross‑section data, commonly used in aerospace, defense, and stealth technology development.
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28 Oct. 2024 - Meet the winners of the 2024 CyberScoop 50 awards

WASHINGTON, DC – Scoop News Group is delighted to present the outstanding recipients of the 2024 CyberScoop 50 Awards. These prestigious accolades recognize the exceptional achievements of cybersecurity leaders who safeguard our essential networks, data, and infrastructure while pioneering innovation in this critical field.

This year, voters from across the nation spent three months nominating and selecting leaders who have exhibited remarkable dedication, creativity, and resourcefulness in defending against cyber threats. With over 800,000 votes cast in five distinct categories, these honorees truly represent the pinnacle of cybersecurity excellence.
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25 Sept. 2024 - Johns Hopkins APL Testing New Software Platform for Navy USV Operating Systems

BALTIMORE, MD — Researchers at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory are collaborating with the U.S. Navy to validate Autonomy Baseline Library, a new software developed for rapid analysis of uncrewed surface vehicles’ systems and capabilities suited for specific naval needs.

The software tests, which were initially undertaken in the Navy’s Technology Readiness Experimentation, or T‑REX, held in March, will culminate at the Autonomous Warrior joint force exercise scheduled in October in Australia, APL said Tuesday.
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09 Sept. 2024 - Empowering Excellence with Art & Frankie‑Episode 16: Nurturing the Next Generation

SAN DIEGO, CA — In this episode of Empowering Excellence with Art & Frankie, we explore NAVWAR’s impactful STEM Outreach and Academic Engagement programs, which are designed to inspire and nurture the next generation of scientists and engineers. Join us as we chat with Christina Roc, STEM and Academic Engagement Director at Naval Information Warfare Center Pacific, to discuss the exciting work being done to engage students from K‑12 all the way to university level.

We’ll dive into how these programs create pathways into the workforce for STEM graduates, foster academic partnerships, and address real‑world challenges in information warfare. Whether you’re interested in education, innovation, or how NAVWAR is shaping the future, this episode offers a fascinating look at the role of STEM in national defense.
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09 Sept. 2024 - NIWC Atlantic Develops Portal to Virtual World, Hosts Marines for Coast‑to‑Coast LVC Experiment

CHARLESTON, SC — Experimentation to make warfighters better decision‑makers took a leap into the future in mid‑August when a specialized capability designed by Naval Information Warfare Center (NIWC) Atlantic made its debut during a naval integration event that wrapped up on both coasts Aug. 22.

Called Virtual Stand‑in‑Force (VSiF) and sponsored by the Marine Corps Warfighting Lab (MCWL), the innovation offers Marines local access to live, virtual and constructive (LVC) experimentation, which Department of the Navy leaders call a “game‑changer.”
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09 Sept. 2024 - Robotics Showdown: NSWC Philadelphia‑Guided Team Triumphs at FIRST Championship

PHILADELPHIA, PA – A high school team advised by the Naval Surface Warfare Center Philadelphia Division (NSWCPD) has achieved a world title at the FIRST Robotics Championship held in Houston, Texas. The victorious team, RoboLancers from Central High School in Philadelphia, won the championship in collaboration with teams from Arizona, Missouri, and Israel.

This victory underscores the significant contributions of NSWCPD in aiding local public school robotics teams, many of which are underserved and underfunded. It also highlights the valuable work performed by the Naval STEM Coordination Office stationed at the Office of Naval Research (ONR).
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05 July 2024 - RIMPAC exercise tests bounds of 3D printing of crucial parts in real time

MARINE CORPS BASE HI — The Navy is experimenting with deployed 3D printing during the Rim of the Pacific exercise in pursuit of eventually shortening the supply line for crucially needed parts to mere hours. Media were invited Tuesday to Marine Corps Base Hawaii for an up‑close look at several 3D printers that manufacture parts made of metal and polymer.

Media were invited Tuesday to Marine Corps Base Hawaii for an up‑close look at several 3D printers that manufacture parts made of metal and polymer.
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18 June 2024 - Navy awards tech company contract for Project Overmatch software

SAN DIEGO, CA – Naval Information Warfare Center Pacific has awarded a follow‑on contract to software company EpiSci to advance the Navy’s Project Overmatch initiative.

The contract is estimated at approximately $2.7 million with a “period of performance” from April 25, 2024, to May 1, 2025, according to a Navy spokesperson.
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31 May 2024 - NAVWAR Named Navy’s Best Place to Work in 2023 Rankings

SAN DIEGO, CA – Naval Information Warfare Systems Command (NAVWAR) was named as the top Navy organization in the 2023 Best Places to Work in the Federal Government rankings, listed first out of 17 Department of Navy (DON) agency subcomponent organizations.

The annual report, published by the Partnership for Public Service and Boston Consulting Group, offers the most comprehensive assessment of how federal public servants view their jobs and workplaces, providing employee perspectives on leadership, work‑life balance, pay, professional development among other issues.
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30 May 2024 - SMART Scholar and Mentor at the Forefront of Science Exploration

Nanotechnology, laser beams, and drones – just a few of the innovative projects this year’s Science, Mathematics, and Research for Transformation (SMART) Scholar and Mentor of the Year Award winners, for fiscal year 2023, are working on to reshape scientific exploration and advancement. Among these distinguished individuals, Carlos Torres Jr., Ph.D., and his mentor, James Adleman, Ph.D., stand out as prime examples of excellence.

Torres’ SMART journey began over 15 years ago, when he started his SMART‑sponsored master’s degree in electrical engineering at the University of California, Los Angeles. At the time, his research focused on the understanding and characterization of electrical transport and flicker noise in graphene. This research is essential for the development and optimization of graphene‑based electronic devices, which can be used in things like telecommunications, quantum computing, and solar cells.
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23 May 2024 - Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Nuclear Matters Discusses How Marine Mammal Program Contributes to National Security

SAN DIEGO, CA – The Navy’s Marine Mammal program uses bottlenose dolphins and California sea lions to detect, locate and recover objects and threats in harbors and at sea for the Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard. Threats could include explosives, mines, enemy divers and manned or unmanned surface or subsurface vessels.

A particularly important mission for the mammals is protection of the Navy’s submarines which are part of the nuclear triad, said Drew Walter, deputy assistant secretary of defense for nuclear matters.
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16 May 2024 - Seeing the full picture: SeaVision supports maritime domain awareness during Obangame Express 2024

ARLINGTON, VA - A team of employees at Naval Information Warfare Center (NIWC) Pacific recently won the Department of Defense (DOD) STEM Advocate of the Quarter award for the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2023. The accolade recognizes outstanding STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) education and outreach efforts that further the mission of the DOD.

The team, which comprised approximately 100 volunteers, received the award for their work planning and executing NIWC Pacific’s hosting of the 26th International Student Robotic Submarine (RoboSub) competition in August 2023. The NIWC Pacific winners were co‑led by:

• Stephanie Luna, strategy implementation manager, Corporate Operations
• Travis Moscicki, project lead, Unmanned Maritime Vehicle Lab

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11 May 2024 - Seeing the full picture: SeaVision supports maritime domain awareness during Obangame Express 2024

One of the key drivers of the development and implementation of unique scenario events in the ongoing Obangame Express exercise in West and Central Africa is the exercise’s role in bolstering awareness of, and adherence to, the Yaoundé Code of Conduct.

Information and intelligence sharing throughout the five zones of the Yaoundé Code is crucial to the Code’s success in ensuring regional maritime security and stability. Through exercises like Obangame Express, partner nations leverage maritime infrastructure, assigned forces, and technological advancements and innovations to provide a maritime picture that can be easily understood across national and regional boundaries. Key to this understanding is the use of a program called SeaVision.
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May. 2024 - Lessons Learned from Year One of Data Science at Sea

For thousands of years, mariners traversing the world’s oceans did not have easy access to fresh, potable water. Sailors could easily die of thirst if they failed to prepare adequately for a long journey. Modern U.S. aircraft carriers do not suffer from this limitation. Their nuclear reactors produce the steam power that enables onboard desalination plants to create an essentially unlimited amount of potable water from seawater. Through the sustained and thorough application of engineering manpower, equipment, and taxpayer dollars over three generations, the Navy has broken entirely free of one of the major logistical shackles that impeded ocean travel for millennia. Seawater, once only considered a means of traversal and treated as an environmental hazard, is now a valuable resource that can be put to a variety of uses.

In 2022, Carrier Strike Group One’s Data Science at Sea team (hereafter “CSG‑1” and “DS@S”), came to a similar conclusion about a different readily available and underutilized resource on board the USS Carl Vinson (CVN‑70). Taken together, our intelligence resources, combat systems, and weapons platforms were generating terabytes of operationally relevant data every day, but only a small fraction meaningfully informed decision making. Most of it was never accessed at all. Poor knowledge‑management practices, the lack of trained data scientists or software coders assigned operationally, and a stubborn devotion to Microsoft PowerPoint as a singular data visualization tool kept CSG‑1’s data from providing much operational value.
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18 Apr. 2024 - AFCEA International Announces The 2024 Cyber Edge Writing Award Winners

FAIRFAX – The threat of cyber attacks is constant and the ability to identify and mitigate the danger is a 24‑hour challenge. In AFCEA’s fourth annual The Cyber Edge writing competition, sponsored by ManTech, 37 thought leaders challenged themselves to write articles that addressed this year’s theme, Mitigating Cyber Threats Today and Into the Future. Experts judged entries on criteria including content originality, usefulness, objectivity and writing quality. Entrants had to illustrate innovation, advanced technologies, strategies, tactics and policy or legislative changes to counter cyber threats.

Winners will receive engraved awards and monetary prizes and be recognized during an awards ceremony at AFCEA International’s TechNet Cyber conference, June 25‑27 in Baltimore.
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16 Apr. 2024 - Inside the Navy’s Marine Mammal Program

SAN DIEGO – In 1959, the Navy stood up its Marine Mammal program here. With one dolphin, researchers set out to study how fast the creatures could swim, in an effort to improve ship and torpedo performance.

Sixty‑five years later, the program has roughly 120 sea animals that are trained to detect mines and other underwater hazards.
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04 Apr. 2024 - SMART Scholar and Mentor of the Year Awards Announced for Fiscal Year 2023 in Recognition of Their Remarkable Contributions to the Department of Defense

ALEXANDRIA, VA - U.S. Scholars and mentors from the Science, Mathematics, and Research for Transformation (SMART) Scholarship‑for‑Service Program, earned the Scholar and Mentor of the Year Awards for their impactful research in enhancing Department of Defense (DoD) capabilities.

Each year, the DoD SMART Scholarship‑for‑Service Program awards scholar and mentor pairs who demonstrate exemplary achievements throughout their SMART‑sponsored journey, from academia to civil service career. For Fiscal Year (FY) 2023, the number of nominations received doubled and were representative of SMART Sponsoring Facilities across the entire Do.
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20 Mar. 2024 - Navy Leaders Discuss the Importance of the Information Professional Community

SAN DIEGO - U.S. Navy Information Professional (IP) officers gathered at the Naval Information Warfare Center Pacific’s Information Professionals Symposium to collaborate, strengthen community relationships, and sustain overall readiness for the fight today, tomorrow and into the future, Feb. 12, 2024.

The event, organized by Naval Computer and Telecommunications Station San Diego on behalf of U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Susan BryerJoyner, deputy director for Command, Control, Communications, and Computer/Cyber Systems for the Joint Staff J‑6, welcomed several guest speakers who presented their views on the vital role of the IP community and their impactful contributions to the fleet and Joint Force.
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18 Mar. 2024 - AI Futures | NSWC Philadelphia Division/NIWC Pacific Engineering Career Panel

Various speakers from Naval Surface Warfare Center (Philadelphia Division) and Naval Information Warfare Center Pacific joined in a live panel talking to students about various aspects of their job and ways to get into their respective entities!
YouTube Video

 

11 Mar. 2024 - Inside the Navy’s marine mammal program

A look at the Navy’s Marine Mammal Program, now in its 65th year of training dolphins and other animals to perform underwater tasks, and study their behavior.
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05 Mar. 2024 - ‘Hackers’ part of obstacles in student cybersecurity competition

Safeguarding network infrastructure against skilled hackers was among the tasks for University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa students in a national cybersecurity competition.

The challenge was designed to test the competitors with real world scenarios. The UH Mānoa team consisting of eight undergraduate and graduate information and computer science students finished fifth in the National Collegiate Cyber Defense Regional Competition (CCDC) in late February.
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26 Feb. 2024 - The Navy is trying to use quantum computers to task spy satellites

The real breakthrough in quantum computing is always ten years away, or so goes the old saw. But even though disagreement persists about how to measure the performance of one quantum computer over another, and even how to code for machines that are fundamentally unlike the machines that code was invented for, the U.S. Navy is already experimenting with sort of highly complex problems that only quantum computers can solve.

One of them is scheduling satellites to be in specific places at specific times to collect images.
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04 Mar. 2024 - Batesburg‑Leesville native serves at Naval Information Warfare Center Pacific

San Diego, CA – Petty Officer 1st Class Mercedes Finley, a native of Batesburg‑Leesville, South Carolina, is currently serving in the U.S. Navy assigned to Naval Information Warfare Center (NIWC) Pacific.

Finley, a graduate of Strom Thurmond High School in 2009, has been in the Navy for 15 years, serving as an aviation maintenance administration man. She joined the Navy to provide a better life for her daughter, and her journey has been both challenging and rewarding.
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16 Feb. 2024 - Navy Academics: AI the ‘Next Frontier’ for R&D

SAN DIEGO – Defense Department leaders keyed in on artificial intelligence throughout much of the discussions at AFCEA West this week about the ways it could help better equip U.S. military personnel. For some, the hype around artificial intelligence must make way for clearer eyes and a better understanding of what the tech is and how it can better be used to aid the Navy.

Retired Marine Col. Randy Pugh, director of the Naval Warfare Studies Institute at the Naval Postgraduate School, said the Navy must find a way to invest in its workforce and come up with “creative applications for AI for warfighting purposes.”
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13 Feb. 2024 - NPS Doctorial Program Advances Technical Capacity, Research Capability For NIWC Pacific Employees

MONTEREY, Calif. -- Facing the increasingly complex, and critical, mission of advanced technological and engineering support to the Navy’s information warfare community, Naval Information Warfare Center (NIWC) Pacific, headquartered in San Diego, Calif., requires naval‑unique intellectual capital to consistently advance naval‑relevant technologies and capabilities.

At the heart of this challenge is the NIWC Pacific workforce, and a persistent need to develop capacity and expertise at the leading edge. This is where senior leaders at NIWC Pacific made a crucial decision and turned to the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS).
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Feb. 05, 2024 - JWCC 1 year in: Military branches test the waters as DoD envisions cloud service 2.0

WASHINGTON — Just over a year ago the Defense Department awarded four tech giants — Google, Amazon Web Services, Microsoft and Oracle — a contract worth up to a collective $9 billion to provide cloud services for the Pentagon and each military branch, if the branch’s so choose to use it.

The program, called the Joint Warfighter Cloud Capability (JWCC), is a second try after the Pentagon’s infamously contentious and ultimately failed $10 billion Joint Enterprise Defense Initiative, or JEDI, project.
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Jan. 31, 2024 - New SDMAC Report Reveals NAVWAR’s Economic Impact in San Diego Region

Naval Information Warfare Systems Command (NAVWAR) partnered with both the San Diego Military Advisory Council (SDMAC) and the University of San Diego (USD) Knauss School of Business to publish the newest edition of the NAVWAR economic impact study, unveiled at a reception and release event held at USD Jan. 30.

This study aims to quantify the economic relationship between NAVWAR and San Diego and explain NAVWAR’s significance to the region and vice versa. Utilizing IMPLAN, a regional economic analysis software used in estimating economic impact, the report determined total economic impact by combining direct impact with indirect and induced impact.
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Jan. 22, 2024 - Navy Tests Submarine‑Launched Drones to Enable Undersea‑Surface‑Air Targeting

The U.S. Navy will be testing a cutting edge‑submarine launched drone system engineered to release from beneath the surface of the ocean to perform forward, wide‑area reconnaissance and targeting.

The small unmanned system is engineered to survive a transit through the water column up to the surface and into the air to provide continuous connectivity for submarine commanders interested in surveilling the threat environment, identifying targets and sustaining connectivity with surface ships, drones and aircraft. A 2023 Navy essay from the Naval Undersea Warfare Center describes the Submarine Launched Unmanned Aerial System (SLUAS) as a four‑pound, 19‑inch drone sensor launched from undersea in a canister through a three‑inch signal ejector. The upcoming assessment, which is designed to further refine tactics, technologies, requirements and Concepts of Operation, is being led by the Naval Information Warfare Center (NIWC) Pacific.
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  News Continued