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From Innovation Challenge to internship: NSWC Dahlgren Division inspires high school student’s mechatronics journey
August 14, 2026 — When Joseph Shanklin’s team won second place in the 2024 Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division High School Innovation Challenge, he knew he wanted to study mechatronics. As a sophomore at Westmoreland High School at the time, the Innovation Challenge was the turning point for him.“It was my first year, so I was introduced to Python. I had... MORE

FREDERICKSBURG, Va. – Eighteen-year-old Joseph Shanklin, West Moreland High School graduate, participated in the NSWCDD Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program with a team that created software for an all-terrain autonomous rover with object detection and manual override capability. Shanklin stands with the project at the NSWCDD Poster Session July 30 where they showcased their work at the University of Mary Washington’s Dahlgren Campus. (Jennifer Erickson/NSWCDD Photo)

NSWCDD team gives back to alma mater through project
August 14, 2026 — Grey English, a mechanical engineer at Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division (NSWCDD), cares about his alma mater – Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU).He is among 180 VCU alumni at NSWCDD, according to Brooke Bowler, the division’s recruiting lead. VCU ranks fourth highest among college graduates at the division behind Virginia Tech... MORE

Left, Joseph Lee and English Grey of the High Power Microwave (HPM) Weapon Systems Integration Division at Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division stand beside an experimental HPM source which functions as a testbed for HPM technologies. Lee and Grey, Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) alumni, teamed up to co-mentor four VCU seniors for a project that highlighted HPM. (Jennifer Erickson/NSWCDD Photo)

NSWC Indian Head Division Makes History with First-Ever Re-grained Mk 70 Solid Rocket Motor Static Firing
August 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, Maryland, August 5. The demonstration is a major milestone in boosting NSWC IHD’s production capacity for large SRMs and addressing... MORE

Photograph showing five workers wearing safety helmets and protective clothing collaborating around a large white cylindrical pipe with a red interior, likely part of an industrial or engineering project. Workers appear focused on assembling or inspecting the pipe, with visible equipment and structural elements in an indoor facility setting.

Small Relieves Downey as Commander Naval Sea Systems Command
August 6, 2026 — Vice Adm. James P. Downey was relieved of his dual-hatted role as Commander, Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) by Rear Adm. Pete Small and as Portfolio Acquisition Executive Industrial Operations (PAE IO) by Rear Adm. Todd Weeks during a joint change of office and command ceremony on the Washington Navy Yard, Aug. 6. Admiral James W. Kilby served... MORE

Vice Adm. James P. Downey, commander, Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) and Portfolio Acquisition Executive Industrial Operations (PAE IO) (left) stands at attention with Capt. Daniel L. Mode, NAVSEA Chaplain on stage at a change of command and change of office ceremony on Aug. 6, at the Washington Navy Yard in Washington, D.C. Downey was relieved of his dual-hatted role as commander, NAVSEA by Rear Adm. Peter Small and as PAE IO by Rear Adm. Todd Weeks. (US. Navy photo by Matthew Rakola)

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 Fort A.P. Hill’s EOD Advanced Learning Center (ALC), July 16-21. Established from collaborative discussions between the joint... MORE

NSWC IHD Hosts Change of Command Ceremony; Capt. Paul Mahoney Takes Command
July 13, 2026 — ... MORE

Photograph of three U.S. Navy officers in white dress uniforms standing on a wooden deck with six flags behind them, including the American flag and various military branch flags. The officers display multiple medals and insignias, indicating rank and achievements, with five empty blue-covered chairs behind them and front of the flags.

USS Illinois successfully undocks at Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard
July 7, 2026 — Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility (PHNSY & IMF) successfully undocked Virginia-class fast-attack submarine USS Illinois (SSN 786), June 24, 2026, completing an important milestone in the submarine’s scheduled lifecycle maintenance period... MORE

Virginia-class fast-attack submarine USS Illinois (SSN 786) leaves Dry Dock 2 at Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility (PHNSY & IMF), June 24, 2026, completing an important milestone in the submarine’s scheduled lifecycle maintenance period. Commissioned Oct. 29, 2016, Illinois is the 13th Virginia-class submarine. It is the second U.S. Navy ship to be named for the state of Illinois. Illinois is assigned to Submarine Squadron 1 and is capable of supporting various missions, including anti-submarine warfare; anti-surface ship warfare; strike warfare; special operations forces support; and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance. PHNSY & IMF’s mission is to keep the Navy’s fleet “Fit to Fight" by repairing, maintaining, and modernizing the Navy's fast-attack submarines and surface ships. Strategically located in the heart of the Pacific, it is the most comprehensive fleet repair and maintenance facility between the U.S. West Coast and the Far East. (U.S. Navy photo by Kenny Jones)

World-Class Advanced Energetic Research Lab Complex Opens at NSWC IHD; Among DoW’s Largest, Most Unique RDT&E Facilities
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, Maryland, June 24. The facility will enable the development of novel materials and formulations to enhance range, speed, lethality... MORE

Photograph of a ribbon-cutting ceremony with military personnel and civilians standing in front of a brick building entrance. Three uniformed individuals are cutting a red ribbon stretched between two stanchions, symbolizing the opening or inauguration of a facility.

NAVSEA Recognizes Excellence
June 17, 2026 — NAVSEA Honors Excellence and Innovation at Annual Awards Ceremony WASHINGTON – The Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) recognized its top individual and team performers during the 2025 NAVSEA Excellence awards ceremony. The event celebrated the outstanding achievements of civilian and military personnel who have made significant contributions to the... MORE

WASHINGTON, DC (June 11, 2026) - Vice Admiral Jim Downey, Commander, Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) and Ms. Leslie Joseph, Deputy Commander, Total Force and Corporate Operations, hosted the NAVSEA Excellence Awards in the auditorium. The 2025 NAVSEA Excellence in Acquisition Award is presented to Mr. Michael J. Campbell (center).

Virginia Tech students develop communication system for NSWCDD
June 15, 2026 — Naval vessels use radio frequency (RF) signals to maintain communication with allies stationed on shore. However, this link can be frequently disrupted by environmental challenges, including signal reflections off the water’s surface, atmospheric conditions like fog or heavy rain and terrestrial obstructions such as dense foliage. Naval Surface... MORE

Virginia Tech College of Engineering students highlight their project at the college's Department of Engineering Education Interdisciplinary Expo April 29. (Photo courtesy of Robin Ott, Virginia Tech)

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