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

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...

Delia Chen, Carderock's Digital Adoption Lead - SharePoint and Power Platform

By Brittny Odoms, NSWC Carderock Division Public Affairs | April 2, 2026

Delia Chen, the Digital Adoption lead - SharePoint and Power Platform within the Enterprise Solutions Branch at Naval Surface Warfare Center, Carderock Division, is settling into her role at the command, finding both...

Grace Murray Hopper in her Washington, D.C. office, 1978. By this stage of her career, Hopper had become a leading advocate for standardized programming languages and interoperable systems across the Department of Defense. (Courtesy Photo)

Enterprise Solutions at Scale: Why Carderock Honors Rear Adm. Grace Hopper

By Alisha Tyer, NSWC Carderock Division Public Affairs | March 26, 2026

Naval Surface Warfare Center, Carderock Division’s ability to deliver advanced ships and maritime systems to the U.S. Navy depends not only on technical excellence, but on disciplined processes that make complex engineering...

Naval Surface Warfare Center, Carderock Division hosted leadership from the Webb Institute on Feb. 26, 2026. Guests participated in technical tours and strategic discussions, strengthening a historic partnership in naval architecture and marine engineering. 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 photos by Neubar Kamalian)

Carderock Strengthens Navy Partnership with Webb Institute

By Ian McConnaughey, NSWC Carderock Public Affairs | March 4, 2026

On Thursday, Feb. 26, Naval Surface Warfare Center, Carderock Division hosted leadership from the Webb Institute to strengthen Navy partnership that predates the command itself. The visit facilitated strategic engagement...

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