NSWC Indian Head

NSWC Indian Head graphic header

Naval Surface Warfare Center Indian Head Division Systems Engineering Department ElectroStatic Discharge (ESD) Tech Agent Team Lead Phillip Melton observes the transient arc of 300kV to the discharge point between the Helicopter-ESD (HESD) Marx and the INERT ordnance on the ground plane during Bare Ordnance HESD testing.

Chemical Biological Radiological Defense Division filter housing test stand

Naval Surface Warfare Center Indian Head Division Chemical Biological Radiological Defense Division engineer Richard Terwilliger prepares the filter housing test stand for testing.

NSWC IHD Research, Development Test & Evaluation

Naval Surface Warfare Center Indian Head Division Research, Development Test & Evaluation engineering technician Scott McClung prepares a research powder gun for terminal ballistics testing.

F-18 M61 20mm Gun System

Naval Surface Warfare Center Indian Head Division Systems Integration Department test engineer Joe D’Alessio checks the function of the last round and rounds limit switch on the F-18 M61 20mm gun system to ensure a successful test fire at the command’s Picatinny, New Jersey Detachment gun range.

Naval Surface Warfare Center Indian Head Division Electronic Protection Systems Branch Electronics Engineer Sean Bednarek assembles a biconical antenna for a gain measurement in the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Department’s Anechoic Chamber.

Naval Surface Warfare Center Indian Head Division Energetics Manufacturing Department’s Explosives and Energetics Division operators screen energetic material at the 420 Gallon Mixer.

Announcements

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Headlines

NSWC Indian Head Division Supports National Robot Rodeo to Advance EOD

Participants and event organizers gather during the 10th annual National Robot Rodeo in Oriskany, New York, Aug. 18, 2026. The event, co-hosted by the Naval Surface Warfare Center Indian Head Division, challenges joint-service, public safety, and international bomb technicians to test next-generation EOD platforms. (U.S. Navy photo by Lindsey Anderson/Released)

Aug. 31, 2026 - As a longtime event supporter and stakeholder, Naval Surface Warfare Center Indian Head Division (NSWC IHD) played a key role in the 2026 National Robot Rodeo (NRR) held in Oriskany, New York, August 17-21. The...

NSWC Indian Head Division Makes History with First-Ever Re-grained Mk 70 Solid Rocket Motor Static Firing

Naval Surface Warfare Center Indian Head Division (NSWC IHD) conducted the first-ever static firing of a fully loaded, re-grained Mk 70 solid rocket motor (SRM) at the command’s manufacturing facilities in Indian Head, Md., August 5. The demonstration is a significant step toward increasing the command’s production capacity of large SRMs for national defense programs. The command’s Mk 70 Production Using Salvaged Hardware program reuses components from Mk 12 Terrier boosters to produce certified Mk 70 boosters for fleet readiness and training requirements.

Aug. 10, 2026 - Naval Surface Warfare Center Indian Head Division (NSWC IHD) conducted the first-ever static firing of a fully loaded, re-grained Mk 70 solid rocket motor (SRM) at the command’s manufacturing facilities in Indian Head,...

NSWC IHD holds Inaugural Joint Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technology Blitz

July 30, 2026 - Naval Surface Warfare Center Indian Head Division’s (NSWC IHD) Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technology Center (EODTECHCEN) hosted its first joint EOD Technology Blitz, an operational scenario-focused vendor demonstration, at...

NSWC IHD Hosts Change of Command Ceremony; Capt. Paul Mahoney Takes Command

NSWC IHD hosted a change of command ceremony, 10 July, where Capt. Paul Mahoney (left) relieved Capt. Steve Duba (right) as commanding officer. NSWC/NUWC Commander Rear Adm. Peter Small (center) presided over the ceremony. (U.S. Navy photo by Matt Poynor)

July 13, 2026 - ...

World-Class Advanced Energetic Research Lab Complex Opens at NSWC IHD; Among DoW’s Largest, Most Unique RDT&E Facilities

After more than a decade of collaborative design and construction efforts, Naval Surface Warfare Center Indian Head Division (NSWC IHD), Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command and Naval Support Activity South Potomac—the host command of NSWC IHD—hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony officially opening NSWC IHD’s newest, state-of-the-art Advanced Energetic Research Laboratory Complex in Indian Head, Md., June 24. The facility is one of the largest energetic materials R&D facilities in the Department of War, enabling development of novel explosive and propellant formulations utilized to enhance range, speed, lethality and signature management of current and emerging joint weapon systems.

June 25, 2026 - Naval Surface Warfare Center Indian Head Division (NSWC IHD) hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the opening of the command’s newest state-of-the-art Advanced Energetic Research Laboratory Complex in Indian Head,...

Base Status

NSWC Indian Head is open.

Test Range Noise Alerts

Strauss Avenue Thermal Treatment Point operations are scheduled for Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Noticeable impacts such as noise and smoke are expected to last for approximately 30 minutes to one hour.

More information on Range Operations.

Mailing Address

Naval Surface Warfare Center
Indian Head Division
3767 Strauss Avenue
Indian Head, MD 20640-5150