Office of Naval Research

DEVCOM ARL partnered with the Office of Naval Research Global TechSolutions to rapidly deliver a real-time, AI-powered language translator system prototype for warfighters. “This is a great opportunity for the advancement of military-oriented and mission-driven speech and language technologies," said Dr. Stephen LaRocca, ARL computer scientist, shares. "By collaborating with the Navy in this way, ARL can speed up the development of language translation technologies for all the services.” Read more:

This year, we're celebrating ONR's 80th anniversary! For 80 years, the Office of Naval Research has propelled naval science and technology to impressive heights. In fact, some of the most important naval platforms and capabilities began as ONR-sponsored research -- and ONR continues to lead the way, providing dominant warfighting capabilities across the Fleet and Force. Throughout the year, we'll highlight those technologies, breakthroughs and platforms that have shaped Naval warfighting for eight decades. Follow along as we explore 80 years of innovation -- and how ONR will help power the future Fleet and Force. #ONR80 US Navy | United States Marine Corps | U.S. Naval Research Laboratory | Office of Naval Research Global (ONR Global)

Developed through a collaboration between Office of Naval Research Global (ONR Global) TechSolutions and Naval Information Warfare Center Pacific, VIBRaNT was designed to strengthen warfighter readiness by enabling immersive, on-demand navigation training. “Demonstrating VIBRaNT with personnel separated by a continent — but together in the same virtual environment — showed that teams dispersed geographically can still come together virtually to train on the same bridge at the same time to practice their ship handling and navigation,” said ONR Global TechSolutions Director Jason Payne. “It also highlighted how instructors don’t have to be in the same location, so they can teach from anywhere.” US Navy | #warfighterreadiness #virtualreality #vr

The Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) and Office of Naval Research (ONR) have selected five companies as finalists in the Tactical Missile Innovation Challenge:    • Kratos Defense and Security Solutions  • Furientis  • Tiberius Aerospace  • Wax Labs  • Anduril Industries   The competition was impressive! More than 40 companies submitted proposals rethinking the methodologies and development of tactical missiles to better enable affordability, scalability, and adaptability to today’s security environment. Proposals were evaluated on strength, credibility, and executability of the proposed development methodology and plan.   Finalists will participate in a virtual pitch next week to compete for $200,000 and a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with NPS.    • Learn more about the Tactical Missile challenge: https://lnkd.in/gKmx6sUg    • More about working with NPS’ Office of Research and Innovation: https://lnkd.in/gGHzw-4e   US Navy | United States Marine Corps | Office of the Under Secretary of War for Research and Engineering | Office of the Secretary of the Navy |Chief of Naval Operations | Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development and Acquisition | Department of the Navy SBIR/STTR Programs | Naval Postgraduate School Foundation & Alumni Association #DefenseInnovation #MissileTechnology #NavalResearch #DoDInnovation #ONR #NPS #DefenseIndustry #PrizeChallenge

This week I co-hosted the ONR/NAVSEA Undersea Medicine Program Review featuring ~50 world-renowned scientists all dedicated to solving some of Diving’s hardest challenges. The ideas were flowing, the brilliance was unmatched and most importantly the goal was clear, protect and empower our Nation’s undersea warriors. I was also blessed with the opportunity to include in the agenda Chris Lemons who gave us his first hand account of the story behind the Last Breath movie. Chris is the survivor of a diving accident that remains a medical mystery and challenged our community to hypothesize the physiologic explanation behind his survival. We debated hypothermia. Hyperoxia, hypercapnia, combinations… Some complex interaction of all three? I still lean to cryopreservation. Many of us debated how we could remodel the event to resolve the unanswered questions. It was a stimulating thought exercise with the researchers that I respect tremendously and appreciate being a part of my goal to improve diving safety through scientific discovery. Chris’s story was fascinating to us scientists but it was more than that. He is sincere and humble and genuine and gracious. The way he tells his story grounds us in the meaning of our existence in such an honest and down-to-earth way that makes you realize how precious and fragile life is. He didn’t sugar coat anything which left you knowing he was ‘keeping it real’. It was an absolute honor that I feel blessed to have been a part of. Thank you Chris! Hope we connect again 🤿 Chris Lemons Frauke Tillmans Dawn Kernagis Virginie Papadopoulou Office of Naval Research

From the lab to the fleet NRL is accelerating the transition of critical technology directly to the warfighter. We congratulate U.S. Naval Research Laboratory's (NRL) Dr. Joel Goodman on being named the 2025 Office of Naval Research (ONR) Global Technical Employee of the Year and for receiving the Department of the Navy Civilian Service Achievement Medal for his exceptional leadership and sustained contributions to international research initiatives. His leadership of the joint U.S.-Singapore GlobalX AI Challenge bridged the gap between foundational research and the operational needs of our warfighters, delivering innovative AI solutions for maritime threat detection and response. This initiative, a key deliverable of the U.S.-Singapore Memorandum of Understanding for Defence Innovation Cooperation, demonstrates our commitment to strengthening alliances and fielding advanced capabilities. Dr. Goodman's efforts have significantly streamlined the process, reducing program timelines by nearly 50% to get high-impact technology into the hands of those who need it most. This achievement directly supports U.S. Navy S&T priorities by strengthening key alliances and, most importantly, enhancing the operational readiness and lethality of our naval forces. Read more: http://spgv.io/60458Bkl #SciencewithImpact #usnavy #innovation #NavalResearch #MilitaryTech #MaritimeSecurity US Navy, Office of Naval Research Global (ONR Global), Office of Naval Research, United States Department of War

🌟 Congratulations to the 2026 Young Investigator Program (YIP) Awardees!   For 41 years, ONR's YIP has identified and sponsored early-career researchers whose work displays exceptional promise for advancing Naval capability. This year, 23 outstanding faculty members were selected from nearly 330 applicants to advance breakthrough research that will ensure continued battlespace dominance for our warfighters.   Chief of Naval Research Dr. Rachel Riley notes, "In order for ONR to enhance the capabilities of the Sailors and Marines who depend on us, we must partner with the brightest scientists and engineers conducting the most innovative scientific and technology research. The Young Investigator Program is a vital component of this mission, and I am honored to announce the recipients for 2026."   By supporting emerging science and technology, ONR strengthens the innovation pipeline for the Fleet and Force of today and tomorrow.   To see the list of YIP awardees and to learn more about the program, please visit: https://lnkd.in/ep5NNrDZ US Navy | United States Marine Corps | #innovation #warfighteradvantage #warfighterreadiness #lethality #research

🔔 Don't miss the deadline: Phase I submissions for the Naval Postgraduate School Tactical Missile Innovation Challenge are due Thursday, February 26! For more info, visit: https://lnkd.in/gKmx6sUg.

Industry engagement opportunity! The U.S. Naval Research Laboratory is seeking information on commercial, space-based electro-optical systems capable of nighttime Earth observation (TRL 6 or higher). Insights will help inform future technology demonstrations and acquisition pathways. 🛰️ Submissions due Feb. 22: https://lnkd.in/dWNFEX8E