NSWC Carderock

Testing at Carderock

A ship hull model attached to a high-speed sled moves through waves at the Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) Carderock's David Taylor Model Basin, in West Bethesda, Md., during Office of Naval Research (ONR)-sponsored research. The purpose of the research is to study the fundamental physics of the water-impact of high-speed planing hulls and to measure the slamming loads and resulting motions of the craft upon re-entry into the water which can cause structural damage and injury to passengers.

Bird's Eye View of Carderock

Aerial image of Naval Surface Warfare Center, Carderock Division and the David Taylor Model Basin in West Bethesda, Maryland.

Maneuvering and Seakeeping Basin (MASK)

Birds eye view of the wave maker in action at the ribbon cutting ceremony marking the re-opening of Carderock's upgraded Maneuvering & Seakeeping (MASK) basin at Naval Surface Warfare Center, Carderock Division.

The command provides cradle-to-grave support for its technical products over a variety of scientific areas related to surface and undersea platforms.

West Bethesda Headquarters

A wide shot of Bldg. 1 at Naval Surface Warfare Center, Carderock Division in West Bethesda, Md., on Oct. 19, 2023.

International Human-Powered Submarine Race (ISR)

Navy divers from the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technical Division at Indian Head, Md., assist student teams with their human-powered submarines during the 13th International Human-Powered Submarine Race (ISR) being held in the David Taylor Model Basin at the Naval Surface Warfare Center Carderock Division. ISR is a unique international engineering design competition that inspires high school and college-age students of the various engineering disciplines to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

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NSWC Carderock Division News

Partnering with other participants, students work together to solve stimulating math equations in hopes of taking home the team award at the Carderock Math Contest (CMC), held at Naval Surface Warfare Center, Carderock Division on April 4, 2025 in West Bethesda, Md.

In its 14th year, the CMC welcomed 187 students from 27 local middle schools to compete in timed individual and group exams, culminating in a “Countdown Round” featuring the event’s highest achievers. Between solving rigorous math equations, students toured special labs and facilities as well as learned valuable memory skills from guest speaker and two-time USA Memory Champion (2009 and 2010) Ron White.

Carderock, the Navy's innovation and ship design powerhouse, headquartered in West Bethesda, Maryland, is a world-class research and development facility specializing in critical ship and ship systems design. (U.S. Navy photo by Lena Simmons)

Carderock Math Contest: Cultivating the Next Generation of STEM Professionals Through a Love for Math

By Kristin Behrle, NSWC Carderock Division Public Affairs | April 14, 2025

CARDEROCK, Md. – More than 180 middle-school students put their math skills to the test at the 14th annual Carderock Math Contest (CMC) on Friday, April 4, 2025, at Naval Surface Warfare Center Carderock Division in West...

Capt. Christopher Matassa presents Dana Wegner, curator of ship models, with the Department of the Navy Civilian Service Achievement Medal as Dr. David Drazen looks on during Wegner’s retirement ceremony at Naval Surface Warfare Center, Carderock Division, March 21, 2025.

A Curator’s Legacy: Dana Wegner Honored for 50 Years of Federal Service

By Alisha Tyer, NSWC Carderock Division Public Affairs | April 4, 2025

After dedicating half a century to his career, Dana Wegner, curator of ship models at Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) Carderock Division, retired from federal service. In recognition of his expansive knowledge of naval...

Elissa Trueman hard at work at NSWC Carderock's Chief Technology Officer

Elissa Trueman Embraces ‘Creative Tension’ as Carderock CTO

By Alisha Tyer, NSWC Carderock Division Public Affairs | March 4, 2025

When Elissa Trueman became Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC), Carderock Division’s Chief Technology Officer (CTO), she described the experience as “coming home.”Trueman, who previously served as the deputy and acting CTO...

Naval Surface Warfare Center, Carderock Division's Chief Technology Officer, Dr. Elissa Trueman, meets with attendees during the poster session and open house of an enterprise-wide event themed “Design Your Future,” held at Carderock' Raye Montague Center to commemorate Engineers Week, Feb. 18, 2025.

Carderock Celebrates Engineers Week with "Design Your Future" Theme

By Alisha Tyer | Feb. 21, 2025

BETHESDA, Md. – Naval Surface Warfare Center, Carderock Division commemorated Engineers Week on Feb. 18, 2025 with an enterprise-wide event, themed “Design Your Future.”The event, held in Carderock’s Raye Montague Center,...

A joint team consisting of F-35 Patuxent River Integrated Test Force flight test members, U.S. Sailors and Marines, and the crew of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Izumo-class multi-functional destroyer JS Kaga (DDH-184) are executing developmental sea trials in the eastern Pacific Ocean to gather the necessary data to certify F-35B Lightning II short takeoff and vertical landing aircraft operations. While aboard the MSDF’s largest ship, the Pax ITF flight test team has been gathering compatibility data for analysis in order to make recommendations for future F-35B operational envelopes, further enhancing the Japanese navy's capabilities. The results of the testing will contribute to improved interoperability between Japan and the United States, strengthening the deterrence and response capabilities of the Japan-U.S. alliance and contributing to peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. Japan is an F-35 Joint Program Office foreign military sales customer planning to purchase 42 F-35Bs. The F-35 Joint Program Office continues to develop, produce, and sustain the F-35 Air System to fulfill its mandate to deliver a capable, available, and affordable air system with fifth-generation capabilities.

Carderock team provides critical technical support for F-35B sea trials on JS Kaga

By Alisha Tyer, NSWC Carderock Division Public Affairs | Feb. 4, 2025

BETHESDA, Md. – Naval Surface Warfare Center, Carderock Division’s Platform Integrity Department engineers responded to a request from the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division Paxtuxent River F-35 Integrated Test Force...

NSWC Carderock Division
9500 MacArthur Blvd.
West Bethesda, MD 20817-5700