Indian Head, Md. –
Naval Surface Warfare Center Indian Head Division (NSWC IHD) welcomed the Chief of Naval Research Rear Adm. Kurt Rothenhaus to meet with leadership and see the command’s innovative science and technology (S&T) research, Dec. 3. Rothenhaus’ visit highlighted multiple command energetics S&T efforts funded by the Office of Naval Research (ONR) to support the warfighter and combat threats to national security.
“I started my career in a lab like what you have here at Indian Head,” Rothenhaus said. “I have a real appreciation for the power of government science and engineering and the workforce that goes with that. The work that goes on here at Indian Head is more important than ever.”
ONR supports science efforts around the world, from basic and conceptual research to applied research and quick-turnaround technologies needed by Sailors and Marines. NSWC IHD’s research and engineering, manufacturing and warfighter support capabilities enable the Navy to increase munitions production capacity and performance capability needed for wartime contingencies. NSWC IHD has worked closely with ONR for decades to advance state-of-the-art energetic materials and their transition to the fleet. This partnership is vital to maintaining the Navy’s technological advantage.
“ONR’s position in the S&T space is critical because it’s focused on delivering solutions to our warfighters, which is exactly what we do here — making these two organizations exceptional partners to support our Sailors and Marines,” NSWC IHD Technical Director Ashley Johnson said. “ONR’s continued investment and focus on energetics and advanced warfighting capabilities demonstrates how the S&T mission of these two organizations are united.”
Given the current geopolitical climate, NSWC IHD’s and ONR’s missions are more aligned than ever to build a modernized defense industrial ecosystem. As the Navy's only public arsenal, NSWC IHD is critical to building resilient energetics supply chains that can securely and efficiently produce the necessary products, services and technologies to meet national defense needs.
“Indian Head is a key component of the Navy’s Energetics Comprehensive Modernization Plan to bolster the energetics Defense Industrial Base to build creative solutions and production capacity that will deter and win future conflicts,” NSWC IHD Director of Energetics Futures Dr. John Wilkinson said.
During his visit, Rothenhaus toured multiple command manufacturing and research and development facilities, including the Agile Chemical Facility, Advanced Energetics Laboratory and Detonation Science Facility.
“In this age of strategic competition, we all need to work together to maintain our technological advantage,” Rothenhaus said. “It takes grit and vision from the people who understand the vision and at Indian Head, you are the people who understand it.”
NSWC IHD — a field activity of the Naval Sea Systems Command and part of the Navy’s Science and Engineering Establishment — is the leader in ordnance, energetics, and EOD solutions. The Division focuses on energetics research, development, testing, evaluation, in-service support, manufacturing and disposal; and provides warfighters solutions to detect, locate, access, identify, render safe, recover, exploit and dispose of explosive ordnance threats.