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

Naval Surface Warfare Center, Carderock Division, celebrates Earth Day on April 22, 2026, by planting Maryland native white fringe trees outside of the Raye Montague Center courtyard in West Bethesda.

Earth Day Spotlight: Carderock Engineer Advances Navy Environmental Efforts

By Brittny Odoms, NSWC Carderock Division Public Affairs | April 22, 2026

BETHESDA, Md. – Earth Day efforts at Naval Surface Warfare Center, Carderock Division highlight both environmental stewardship and the people behind it, including Environmental Branch Head Kristin Jordan. Jordan joined...

Engineer Lauren “Tink” Hanyok conducts final checks on the hatch mechanism of an Orion capsule test article at Naval Surface Warfare Center, Carderock Division’s test pond March 25, 2009, prior to in-water testing. The evaluations helped ensure proper function during splashdown and recovery operations. (U.S. Navy photo)

Decades of Carderock Expertise Continue to Shape Orion Recovery

By Alisha Tyer, NSWC Carderock Division Public Affairs | April 22, 2026

BETHESDA, Md. – The Orion capsule, carrying the crew of NASA’s Artemis II, returned to Earth on April 10, completing a mission that once again relied on complex recovery operations at sea – work supported by decades of...

Dr. Crystal M. Ricks, the Supervisor of Gifted, Advanced Learning, Articulation, STEM & MESA, and Robotics Competition, poses with a Boston Dynamics robot dog during the Calvert County Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement (MESA) Day at Huntingtown High School. (U.S. Navy photo by Aaron Thomas)

Carderock Scientists Inspire Future Innovators at Calvert County MESA Day

By Aaron Thomas, NSWC Carderock Division Public Affairs | April 21, 2026

HUNTINGTOWN, Md. (April 9, 2026) – To bridge the distance between a national naval research center and students in rural communities, representatives from the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Carderock Division (NSWCCD) engaged...

Aviation Electrician's Mate 2nd Class Benjamin Reyes, from San Diego, assigned to Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 51, references a technical manual during an engine maintenance check of an MH-60R Sea Hawk on the flight deck of the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Preble (DDG 88) in the East China Sea, Jan. 29. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Ryre Arciaga)

Carderock Team Harnesses Data Analytics to Dramatically Enhance Fleet Safety and Maintenance Efficiency

By Brittny Odoms, NSWC Carderock Division Public Affairs | April 14, 2026

BETHESDA, Md. – A team within the Sea-Based Aviation and Aeromechanics Branch at Naval Surface Warfare Center, Carderock Division, has developed new ways to harness data analytics to improve aircraft maintenance, preventing...

Team members supporting robotic and autonomous systems development at Naval Surface Warfare Center Carderock Division pose during a field event. Left to right: Daniel Hernandez (former team member), William Gottwald, Eric Lethin, Theo Winter, and Joshua Choe. Not pictured: Christopher Nunes and Zachery Birkbeck.

NSWC Carderock Team Advances Robotic and Autonomous Systems

By Alisha Tyer, Naval Surface Warfare Center, Carderock Division | April 9, 2026

A team of engineers at Naval Surface Warfare Center, Carderock Division is advancing how the Navy develops and employs robotic and autonomous systems across the maritime domain.Led by William Gottwald, a mechanical engineer...

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