New Year, New Gear: Threats, Modularity, and Agility to Drive Subsea Defense in 2026
Maritime Platform (CAMP), a commercially available, demonstration-ready system for long-range, high-capacity payload delivery, appears at minimum to be a hedge against Orca’s uncertain trajectory.Graphic illustration of the Orca, an extra-large class Unmanned Undersea Vehicle, Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division Keyport was assigned as the In-Service Engineering Agent. (U.S. Navy Graphic/Released)DIU Accelerated ProcurementHigh-velocity procurement pathways, particularly through DIU, are likely to remain a defining feature of defense acquisition into 2026. This approach was evident in
NUWC Division Newport Leaders Provide Wartime Readiness Insight During Workshop
As global tensions rise and the U.S. Navy prepares for the possibility of high-end conflict, leaders at the Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC) Division Newport say success will depend not only on technology, but on how well government and industry work together.That message was front and center during the Ocean State Workshop, an event hosted by Division Newport and the Rhode Island chapter of the National Contract Management Association (NMCA). More than 250 people attended the workshop held Jan. 27 at Naval Station Newport’s Officers’ Club. The event brought together Division Newport
NUWC Division Newport Looks to Build Partnerships, Hosts Rhode Island Commerce Officials
As the Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC) Division Newport looks to expand on its “Mastery of the Seas at All Depths” strategic vision, collaborating with industry partners will be a vital piece to success. To that end, the command hosted Rhode Island Secretary of Commerce Stefan Pryor for discussions and tours at the warfare center on January 16.Also visiting Division Newport were James Bennett, president and chief executive officer of the R.I. Commerce Corp.; Christopher Albert, the state director for U.S. Sen. Jack Reed; and Kevin Czinger, founder and executive chairman of Divergent
NUWC Division Newport Engineer Earns DON Superior Civilian Service Award
William “Dave” Shallcross, an engineer for the Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC) Division Newport’s Customer Advocate and Field Team Office, who is currently detailed to the Office of Naval Research Global (ONR-G), recently was awarded the Department of the Navy’s (DON) Superior Civilian Service Award.The award is the second highest civilian award which recognizes employee contributions that are high in value. Shallcross, of San Diego, California, was honored for sustained exceptional service as science advisor and special assistant to the commander, U.S. 3 rd Fleet, from
Vatn Systems Acquires Crewless Marine
co-founder Steve Bordonaro, PhD, will join Vatn as Chief Engineer for Systems, and co-founder Philip Caspers, PhD, will join as Director of Acoustics. Bordonaro brings over 30 years of experience in acoustic signal processing and autonomous systems, including senior leadership roles at the Naval Undersea Warfare Center where he served as Chief Scientist for the Sensors and Sonar Department and led torpedo guidance and control development.Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed. This announcement comes on the heels of Vatn's $60 million Series A fundraising announcement, and their first international
Submarine Group Two Commander Visits NUWC Newport
Rear Adm. Melvin R. Smith, commander of Submarine Group Two, visited the Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC) Division Newport on Dec. 11, delivering a message of gratitude to the workforce during the command’s holiday cookie party before receiving a series of briefings on emerging undersea technologies.Smith oversees the U.S. Navy’s Undersea Hybrid Fleet Executive Steering Group — a group focused on the development and delivery of undersea robotic autonomous systems (URAS) capabilities to the fleet. He toured the command to gain a deeper understanding of NUWC’s role in system
Middle Schoolers Participate in NUWC Division Newport's Annual SeaPerch Derby
Seventeen teams comprised of middle school students competed in the second annual Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC) Division Newport SeaPerch Derby held on December 6 at New Bedford High School in Massachusetts.Using a remote-controlled underwater vehicle known as a SeaPerch, which was constructed by the students, participating teams hailed from five middle schools—Normandin, Keith and Roosevelt in New Bedford; Kickemuit in Warren, Rhode Island; and Pennfield in Portsmouth, Rhode Island.With assistance from Division Newport scientists and engineers, the SeaPerch Derby regional competition is
NUWC Division Newport’s AUTEC Range Performs Sensor Accuracy Test of German Ship for NATO FORACS
In October, a German navy ship completed sensor accuracy testing at the Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC) Division Newport’s Atlantic Undersea Test and Evaluation Center (AUTEC) for the first time, marking a milestone for both Germany and NATO’s long-running Fleet Operational Readiness Accuracy Check Sites (FORACS) program.The combat oiler Federal German Ship (FGS) Berlin (A 1411) arrived in the U.S. as part of the U.S. Navy’s 250th anniversary celebrations, but the visit also supported a critical readiness requirement to verify the ship’s navigation and combat systems
NUWC Division Newport Hosts Warfighters Panel, ‘Cup O’ Joe’ to Celebrate Veterans
United by their service as U.S. Navy submariners, four men spanning decades in age came together at the Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC) Division Newport on Nov. 13. Spearheaded by Commanding Officer Capt. Kevin Behm and moderated by Deputy Technical Director Steve O’Grady, the command hosted “Passing the Watch: Submarine Generations” to celebrate veterans before an engaged audience in Chafee Auditorium.Staged as a talk show with O’Grady serving as the host, the warfighters panel included Behm, retired Lt. Ronald Renner, retired Cmdr. David Kelly and active-duty Sailor
February 2026
