Facility records

Combatant Craft Department

West Bethesda, MD

The Combatant Craft Department (CCD) has performed full life-cycle and full-spectrum support for combatant craft and boats from its facilities located in the Hampton Roads area since 1967. With facilities near the largest and most varied inventory of DoD and boats and craft in the United States, CCD supports the U.S. Navy, Army, Marine Corps, Special Warfare/Special Operations, Air Force, Coast Guard, and other DoD and non-DoD activities including private industry.

Facility Security Systems Development and Engineering

Port Hueneme, CA

Video Teleconferencing (VTC)

Washington, DC

NRL Auditoriums

Washington, DC

Ruth H. Hooker Research Library

Washington, DC

Millimeter Wave Radar Facility

Washington, DC

Radar Imaging Facility

Washington, DC

Radar Signature Calculation Facility

Washington, DC

Airborne Early Warning Radar Facility

Washington, DC

Fiber-Optic Sensor Facility

Washington, DC

Oxide Optical Fiber Fabrication Facility

Washington, DC

Visualization Laboratory

Washington, DC

Off-Board Test Platform

Washington, DC

Atomic Force Microscope

Washington, DC

Transportable Radar Cross Section Measurement Radar (TSFR)

Washington, DC

Vehicle Development Laboratory

Washington, DC

Advanced Tactical Electronic Warfare Environment Simulator (ATEWES)

Washington, DC

Mobile ESM Laboratory

Washington, DC

Compact Antenna Range Facility

Washington, DC

Isolation Measurement Chamber Facility

Washington, DC

Millimeter Wave Anechoic Chamber Facility

Washington, DC

Low-Power Anechoic Chamber

Washington, DC

Circulating Water Channel

West Bethesda, MD

The Circulating Water Channel is used for flow visualization and to show the flow around thrusters, propulsors, rudders, and appendages. Other novel uses include modeling smoke and exhaust gas flow around the superstructure and deck of a ship. An oil spill from a ruptured tanker hull section has been modeled using lubricating oil mixed with dye. Details of smoke spreading inside a hull have been visualized using a dye technique modeling density differences of the dyed water in a clear plexiglass model hull. Scale fishing nets have also been tested. Commercial uses of this facility include maritime shipping industry, fishing industry, and oceanographic engineering applications.

Search Radar ECM/EA Simulator (SRES)

Washington, DC

Industrial Technology Laboratory

West Bethesda, MD

A collaborative ship system concepts and architecture development facility with industrial partners focused on HM&E systems that are large contributors to current surface ship total ownership costs. In addition, the lab is the center for joint development with industry and academia of next-generation automation and robotics hardware/software for both industrial and Fleet applications.

Manufacturing Technology Laboratory

West Bethesda, MD

A joint development with industry and academia of next-generation automation and robotics hardware/software for both industrial and Fleet applications.

Ship Virtual Prototyping Laboratory

West Bethesda, MD

This facility provides the resources to merge the technologies and concepts of modeling and simulation, simulation based acquisition, integrated product and process development, and acquisition reform, in order to develop innovative ships with significantly reduced total ownership costs. Just as the Navy hosts leading edge PHYSICAL testing facilities, this Navy leading edge VIRTUAL testing/prototyping facility will allow Government and industry, designers and warfighters, to establish requirements, and conceive, build, test, fight, train, and cost multiple options before finalizing a design.

David Taylor Model Basin Building

West Bethesda, MD

These three Towing Basins are used for a wide variety of hydrodynamic tests including: resistance, self-propulsion, static stability in calm water, open water propeller characterizations, self-propelled model steering maneuvers, unsteady propeller blade force measurements, wake surveys, knot-meter calibrations under simulated dynamic conditions, vertical and horizontal planar motion experiments, hydrodynamic forces on submerged bodies, foils, etc., towed body experiments, and longitudinal wave cut experiments. The High Speed Basin is used to measure hydrodynamic forces on hydrofoils, planing boats, and other high speed craft operating in calm water and in waves. The water level in the Shallow Water Basin can be varied to simulate rivers, canals, and restricted channels.

Large Cavitation Channel (LCC)

West Bethesda, MD

The Large Cavitation Channel is a vertical plane, closed recirculating 1.4 million gallon, variable speed, variable pressure, channel with lower half submerged in 2.5 million gallon water filled trench, plus numerous other acoustic treatment features, 6:1 contraction ratio, aeration/deaeration system, filter system (5-micron), temperature control, stainless steel shell, models mounted on large removable test top, low turbulence (0.1%). High speed capability up to 50 ft/s. Large test chamber with 10 ft by 10 ft cross-section and a 13.1 m (43 ft) working length. Pressure in the LCC test section ranges from less than atmospheric to four times atmospheric pressure, the equivalent of water approximately 100 feet deep.

Maneuvering and Seakeeping Basin (MASK)

West Bethesda, MD

The Maneuvering and Seakeeping Basin is unique within the Navy, and is used to model the full scale motions of ships, platforms, and mooring systems in waves. In this facility, engineers evaluate the maneuverability, propulsion, dynamic stability, and control of surface ships and submarines in waves and smooth water at various headings. The MASK is used in measuring model motions, accelerations, control surface deflections, hull strains, and wake characteristics at a wide variety of simulated sea states through a radio-controlled surface and submarine model capability. The facility is also used for capsizing tests and slamming studies.

Rotating Arm Facility

West Bethesda, MD

The Rotating Arm Facility is used to measure hydrodynamic forces and moments and perform captive-model stability and control and propulsion experiments on surface ships, towed bodies, unmanned underwater vehicles, swimmer delivery vehicles, submarines, and torpedoes. Surface models up to 30 feet in length and submerged models up to about 22 feet can be tested in a controlled environment over a wide range of angles of attack and drift. Angular velocities can also be controlled. The forces and moments on the hull and appendages are required for accurate mathematical models. Commercial applications for this facility include maritime shipping industry and oceanographic engineering applications.

Advanced Technology Chamber (ATC)

Washington, DC

Subsonic Wind Tunnel

West Bethesda, MD

The 8- by 10-foot Subsonic Wind Tunnel located at the Carderock Division of the Naval Surface Warfare Center was designed for maximum flexibility in mounting and testing a wide variety of models. The tunnel specializes in the support of naval ship technology, but it serves all branches of the U.S. Navy, the Department of Defense, other Government agencies, and industry in almost every type of experiment in which the mechanics of fluids are of interest. Studies include turbulence in the airwake behind ships; performance and stability of air, water, and surface vehicles; and the effects of wind on static structures.

Deep Submergence Pressure Tank Facility

West Bethesda, MD

This facility contains pressure tanks that are designed to provide the Navy and Maritime Industry with the capability to evaluate structures, components and systems in an environment that simulates as nearly as possible the ocean depths. These pressure tanks are some of the largest in the world for their size and pressure ratings. The spherical, 10 foot diameter, 10,000 psi tank is the only tank in the U.S. that is certified for explosives operations by NAVSEA for at-depth shock testing of models and components.

Explosives Test Pond

West Bethesda, MD

The explosives test pond was designed for use in conducting underwater explosive (UNDEX) shock testing of ship and submarine models and components. It is the only explosives-rated pond in the U.S. with the capability of providing high-speed underwater photography of UNDEX model response. Explosives of up to 3 pounds can be used in the Pond. Personnel with the necessary expertise are available to safely and efficiently conduct UNDEX experiments in this controlled and environmentally safe location.

Large Scale Grillage Test Facility

West Bethesda, MD

This facility is capable of exerting up to 5,000,000 pounds of axial in-plane load (tension or compression) and up to 25 psi uniform lateral pressure onto a large/full-scale orthogonally stiffened plate. The facility is capable of testing grillage structures with dimensions of up to 8 ft wide and 24 ft long.

Ship Materials Technology Center

West Bethesda, MD

The Carderock Ship Materials Technology Center (SMTC) is a world-class complex having a pivotal role in advancing the use of advanced materials and processes in the Navy fleet of the 21st century. The SMTC encompasses capabilities for developing advanced materials, engineering mechanics, chemical formulation, testing and characterization of metallic and non-metallic materials, and the prototype production and testing of materials and ship systems and components. The laboratory functional capabilities include:

Advanced Ceramics Laboratory

West Bethesda, MD

The Advanced Ceramics Laboratory is a comprehensive ceramics synthesis, processing, and characterization laboratory. Ceramics processing capabilities include traditional powder preparation and shape-forming equipment, as well as isopressing, injection molding, hot pressing, and slip casting. Advanced techniques include hot-isostatic pressing and a chemical vapor deposition. Heat treatment and oxidation equipment includes 1,700 degrees C air furnaces and graphite or carbon-element 3,000 degrees C inert-atmosphere/vacuum furnaces.

Biotechnology Laboratories

West Bethesda, MD

The Biotechnology Laboratories provide expertise and facilities for studies in environmental microbiology, molecular biology, biosensors, and materials-microbe interactions. It includes equipment and capabilities in microscopy (transmitted and reflected light, epifluorescence, autoscan, photomicroscopy), protein/enzyme purification and characterization, protein patterning, genetic analysis, gas and liquid chromatography, microbial characterization and identification, image analysis, biodegradation & biodeterioration analysis, and microbiological monitoring.

Dosimetry Laboratories

West Bethesda, MD

The Dosimetry Laboratories are dedicated to all aspects of the Navy’s personnel dosimetry program. A gamma radiation range provides calibration and quality assurance to ensure the accuracy and integrity of the system. Gamma, beta, and x-ray radiation as well as mono-energetic neutrons produced from a 3MeV tandem positive ion accelerator are available for dosimeter calibration. Complementary laboratories are used to investigate the fundamental optical properties of materials for potential use in dosimetry as well as development, testing, and evaluation of prototype dosimetry badges and their accompanying electronics.

Electrochemical/Battery Laboratories

West Bethesda, MD

The Electrochemical/Battery Laboratories include chemistry labs for the study of basic materials and processes in electrochemical cells; a controlled atmosphere dry room for work with moisture sensitive materials; a thermal analysis laboratory; and special facilities for the evaluation of batteries under normal and abusive conditions such as discharge, charge, short circuit, high and low temperature, etc.

IR Systems

West Bethesda, MD

IR Systems consist of two portable, calibrated infrared measurement systems that nominally operable in the 3-5 and 8-12 micron bands. Each lens system is capable of operating either land-based and ship or helicopter mounted for rapid collection of test data. The systems are typically used to make IR measurements of ships, craft and wakes

Environmental Protection Laboratories

West Bethesda, MD

The Environmental Protection Laboratories are used for investigation of processes, operations, and systems designed to abate shipboard-generated liquid, solid, and gaseous discharges; allowing the development and evaluation of pilot-plant size discharge processing, full-scale waste treatment, solid and plastics waste disposal, and thermal destruction hardware and systems; and for hazardous materials reduction and pollution prevention.

Fatigue and Fracture Laboratories

West Bethesda, MD

The Fatigue and Fracture Laboratories are an extensive facility for characterization of low-temperature fracture, dynamic fracture, low-cycle and high-cycle fatigue and fatigue crack growth properties. It consists of five major areas of equipment and instrumentation: computer-interactive servo-hydraulic fracture and fatigue test systems; high load, variable-stiffness computer-interactive fracture test systems; dynamic fracture servo-hydraulic test systems; dynamic fracture impact towers; and thick weldment low-cycle fatigue test systems.

Fire Tolerant Materials Laboratories

West Bethesda, MD

The Fire Tolerant Materials Laboratories have the capability to assess shipboard fire safety performance with small-scale tests for candidate shipboard materials for such properties as flame spread, smoke generation, heat release, and products of combustion; includes NIST and Factory Mutual calorimeters and analytic equipment.

Magnetic Materials Laboratory

West Bethesda, MD

The Magnetic Materials Laboratory has a variety of instruments to measure magnetic properties, e.g., magnetostriction and magnetization as a function of magnetic field with forces as high as 100,000 pounds applied. A vibrating sample magnetometer can measure magnetization from cryogenic temperatures to above room temperature.

Marine Coatings Laboratories

West Bethesda, MD

The Marine Coatings Laboratories are an extensive facility consisting of a paint formulation and application lab, a paint test and evaluation lab, and a biosurface analytical lab; capable of formulating and manufacturing paints, coatings and adhesives, and analyzing and evaluating these materials for input into design guidance, specifications, and manuals.

Marine Corrosion Control and Evaluation Laboratories

West Bethesda, MD

The Marine Corrosion Control and Evaluation Laboratories consist of the aqueous corrosion and electrochemical labs; environmentally assisted cracking lab; marine corrosion analysis lab; low-velocity burner rig lab; and a small-scale high-temperature lab. They provide the capability of testing materials in a simulated gas turbine environment, conducting corrosion research, metallurgy failure analysis, and electrochemical testing of Navy seaborne materials.

Marine Organic Composites Laboratories

West Bethesda, MD

The Marine Organic Composites Laboratories are dedicated to all aspects of composites from basic research into the components of their manufacture, their physical and mechanical properties, and prototype construction and evaluation. This includes: a large prototype production and test area; filament winder (control system capability with six-degrees of freedom to wind complex parts); autoclave (capable of processing parts up to 3 feet by 6 feet at temperatures up to 950 degrees F and pressures of 200 psi); and polymer synthesis labs.

Materials Characterization and Analysis Laboratory

West Bethesda, MD

The Materials Characterization and Analysis Laboratory consists of advanced instrumental analysis techniques including metallography and optical microscopy, image analysis, dynamic mechanical thermal analysis, scanning electron microscopy, electron backscatter diffraction, and energy dispersive x-ray analysis.

Metal Spray Forming Laboratory

West Bethesda, MD

NSWCCD is the only government activity with the Osprey process capability. It has a 200-pound melt capacity, a deposition rate of ferrous and non-ferrous metal alloys on the order of 100 to 400 lbs. per minute, sensors to provide real-time information on critical properties for intelligent processing, and manipulators for multi-axial motion to make nonsymmetric components and geometries.

Nondestructive Evaluation (NDE) Laboratories

West Bethesda, MD

The Nondestructive Evaluation (NDE) Laboratories are used to conduct NDE of Navy materials with the following capabilities: radiography lab (400-kV x-ray machine) and dark room; ultrasonics and electromagnetics lab; laser optics lab; and penetrant testing and magnetic particle test lab.

Signature Materials Laboratories

West Bethesda, MD

Signature Materials Laboratories provide the prototype production capability for experimental shipsets of target-strength reduction materials; measurement of both reflected and radiated signatures in the acoustic, infrared, ultraviolet, visible, and microwave regions. The materials evaluation capability includes: large acoustic pulse tubes capable of submarine depth simulation; a unique bi-directional infrared spectral emittance measurement system; and a lab containing a laser coordinate-axis, ultra-precision dimensional metrology machine.

Welding Process and Consumable Development Laboratories

West Bethesda, MD

The Welding Process and Consumable Development Laboratories are a complete welding capability consisting of an Arc Welding laboratory (welding process development; weld simulation; weldability evaluation; and welding sensors and robotics); and a Welding Consumable Development laboratory (electrode production and wire fabrication prototype; flux evaluation; and moisture evaluation).

Shock Trials Instrumentation

West Bethesda, MD

Data recording systems specifically designed for installation on board ship for collecting data during a shock trial. Each unit is a 40-foot long by 10 foot wide by 10 foot high, shock isolated and EMI shielded container. Each unit can be transported to the recording site by dedicated trailer, installed on the ship under going test and provide data collection and analyses for the shock trial. This instrumentation capability is internationally known to be second to none. This capability is used extensively by NAVSEA under a special MOU between SEA 03 and NSWCCD.

Structural Dynamics Laboratory

West Bethesda, MD

This facility consists of four uniaxial servo-hydraulic cyclic test machines, a small free form fatigue test fixture, and a lightweight shock machine. The four cyclic test machines have maximum ranges of 110,000; 220,000; 550,000 and 1,000,000 pounds. Each machine has hydraulic grips, allowing for fully reversed cyclic loads. Maximum specimen size is roughly 2 foot wide by 8 foot tall. Each test machine is individually computer controlled and can perform static, constant amplitude cyclic tests as well as random variable spectrum loadings.

Fleet Information Systems Security Technology Lab

Washington, DC

Structural Evaluation Laboratory

West Bethesda, MD

The facility includes a strong floor 40 feet by 100 feet by 7 feet thick of heavily reinforced concrete, with tie downs located on five foot centers. Each tie down is rated at 250,000 pounds. Loads are applied to the test structure through hydraulic actuators using up to eight 50-gpm pumps as part of two independent 3500 psi hydraulic pumping systems.

UNDEX Test Facility

West Bethesda, MD

The UNDEX Test Facility (UTF) is located at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Aberdeen, Maryland. The UTF is composed of two ponds used by the Navy to conduct underwater explosion tests. The Briar Point Test Pond is a shallow depth pond used primarily for conducting underwater explosion shock qualification tests of mission critical surface ship and submarine components. The larger Underwater Explosion Test Pond was designed to conduct land-based testing of full-scale submersible shock test vehicles. Concerns related to minimizing environmental effects at previously used protected water sites prompted the Navy to sponsor development of the Aberdeen UTF facility. Explosive charge weights of 350# HBX-1 can be used at Briar Point, and 3500# HBX-1 can be used at the Underwater Explosion Test Pond.

Acoustic Research Detachment

West Bethesda, MD

The Acoustic Research Detachment (ARD), Bayview, Idaho, on Lake Pend Oreille, is used for research and design validation using quarter-scale models of methodologies to reduce acoustic signatures on ships. Lake Pend Oreille is a large, deep, and extremely quiet body of water, ideal for acoustic testing. ARD encompasses the Large Scale Vehicle, a quarter-scale fully-autonomous submarine, used for propulsor research and submarine maneuvering studies; the Intermediate Scale Measurement System (ISMS) used to conduct research in acoustic radiation and target strength of submarines; the flow-noise haul-down facility used to conduct research on the impact of fluid flow over and about submarine hulls; and, a facility to test the high speed flow induced noise of towed arrays.