The Naval Postgraduate School and NVIDIA formalized a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement to explore AI and simulation technology applications in education, disaster response, mission readiness and more. Signed at NVIDIA’s headquarters and unveiled at the Interservice/Industry Training, Simulation and Education Conference (I/ITSEC), the partnership will utilize NVIDIA’s AI Technology Center Program to address complex challenges and drive innovation, positioning NPS as a leader in applying AI to national security education, training and research. Read more.
“The Department of the Navy continues to champion rapid development of technologies that accelerate decision-making as part of our maritime advantage. I’m excited about the work the Naval Innovation Center at Naval Postgraduate School will do to leverage and accelerate AI-enabled outcomes from research projects like this with our industry partners.” - 78th Secretary of the Navy, The Hon. Carlos Del Toro
The NPS Foundation plays a critical role in advancing AI and simulation at NPS, committing $2 million to these efforts. This includes $1 million for AI research and another $1 million for the integration and sustainment of NVIDIA Omniverse technology.
Thanks to generous support from Sterling and Dell Technologies, NPS will be equipped with the necessary infrastructure to implement NVIDIA Omniverse into its curriculum by early 2025. Starting with the MOVES Institute, this interdisciplinary technology will expand across departments, fostering collaboration and supporting cutting-edge research. Read more
Last week in Orlando, Florida, NPS students, faculty and alumni showcased leadership in defense-focused research at I/ITSEC. The NPS team presented peer-reviewed papers, led tutorials and participated in panels on cutting-edge topics such as AI, simulation, and cognitive workload in training environments.
U.S. Army Lt. Col. Charles Rowan, PhD, Director of the Modeling, Virtual, Environments and Simulation (MOVES) Institute at NPS, led the delegation, showcasing NPS impact on shaping the future of defense innovation in modeling and simulation. Read more.
The NPS Foundation played a critical role in supporting NPS presence at I/ITSEC by hosting an event bringing together nearly 100 alumni, industry leaders and partners. The event fostered meaningful connections and featured discussions on the transformative role of AI and simulation technologies in shaping the future of defense. With Orlando rapidly becoming a hub for tech innovation, we look forward to deepening our connection with the alumni community in central Florida. Read more.
The NPS Foundation collaborated with NVIDIA, Dell Technologies, and UME Studio to host hands-on training sessions showcasing the power of NVIDIA Omniverse technology at I/ITSEC. Participants explored the platform’s capabilities in virtual environments, synthetic data generation and advanced simulation tools.
The training was built around a Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Response scenario inspired by NPS student research on contested logistics in the South China Sea. This practical demonstration showcased how technologies like Omniverse can enhance real-world planning, coordination and decision-making. Read more.
NPS launched a new Master’s of Operational Energy program, addressing critical energy challenges in modern warfare. The program combines three graduate-level certificates—directed energy, refuel logistics and unmanned systems persistence—to equip military and civilian leaders with the knowledge to address energy challenges, enhance fleet modernization, and maintain a warfighting advantage. Read more.
U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Thomas A. Cecil, MS in Modeling, Virtual Environments and Simulation (MOVES) ‘24, earned the Commander George L. Phillips Award for his thesis on mixed-reality head-mounted displays in naval aviator training. His research was nominated for the Best Paper Award at the 2024 Interservice/Industry Training Simulation and Education Conference.
Lt. Col. Jamie Porchia, an NPS Department of Defense Management professor, highlighted the value of the Hacking for Defense (H4D) program during a Stanford panel on innovation in national security. She emphasized how H4D equips military students with critical problem-solving tools, such as understanding complex challenges and rapidly iterating solutions, to address real-world issues and leverage emerging technologies for national security.
U.S. Naval Research Laboratory and Naval Postgraduate School co-developed a Path OptimizaTION (POTION) tactical decision aid to assist unmanned air vehicle (UAV) operators with mission planning and energy situational awareness.
Dr. Vladimir Dobrokhodov, NPS Associate Professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, leads the NPS efforts on what he terms “energy-aware aerial flight.”
In September 2023, Arctic flight-tests of a POTION-guided UAV demonstrated the range and endurance of the aircraft were significantly extended. The goal of the latest exercise was to show that the POTION software developed would reduce the fuel consumption of the tested aircraft.
IMPACT: POTION extends the range and endurance of UAVS for the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Marine Corps by helping aircraft operators use energy intelligently. Watch
Prioritize the Human Factor for Future Naval Warfare
By Capt. Andrew Carlson, MS in Astronautical Engineering ‘05
The Future Battlefield is Melting: An Argument for Why the U.S. Must Adopt a More Proactive Arctic Strategy
By Capt. Sydney Murkins, MA in Security Studies ‘23
Maneuver Chess: Integrating Think-and-Fight Drills into Military Training
By Lt. Col. Brian Kerg, Certificate in Human Systems Integration ‘21
Central Asia in the Energy TransitionBy Dr. Brenda Shaffer, Faculty Associate – Research, Energy Academic Group and Svante E. Cornell is research director of the Central Asia-Caucasus Institute and Silk Road Studies Program.
Syria As it Was and As It Should Be
By Ben Connable, MA in National Security Affairs ‘01
The Navy Must Retain More Women SWOs
By Lt. Jasmaine Renee Arnold, MS Systems Engineering ‘23, Lt. Kayla L. Lovelady, MS Systems Engineering ‘23, and Major Grace Chng, MS Systems Engineering ‘23, Republic of Singapore Navy
Defining the Indefinable: A Critical Analysis of Current Irregular Warfare Doctrine
By Chief Warrant Officer 5 Maurice "Duc" DuClos, Guest Lecturer, NPS
Return Funding for Reliable Energy to the World’s Poorest
By Dr. Brenda Shaffer, Faculty Associate – Research, Energy Academic Group
A green future: Oman blazes a trail for environmentalism in the Arab world
Quoted - Dr. James Russell, Associate Professor, National Security Affairs Department
Episode 707: Who is on the Damascus Road, with Seth Folsom [Podcast]
Interview with retired Col. Seth W.B. Folsom, MA in National Security Affairs ‘04
Trump’s Indo-Pacific Strategy: A Conversation with Mr. Ivan Kanapathy
Interview with Ivan Kanapathy, MA in Security Studies ‘08 New Books Network - World Affairs: “Leveraging Latency: How the Weak Compel the Strong Nuclear Technology” [Podcast]
Interview with Tristan A. Volpe, Assistant Professor, Defense Analysis Department
Defence scientist Quek Gim Pew’s recipe for success: Dare to dream, dare to fail
Interview with Quek Gim Pew, MS in Electrical Engineering ‘86
CHDS Alum Taps Master’s Thesis to Develop Mental Skills Training Curriculum for Firefighters
Capt. Oleg Pelekhaty, MA in Homeland Security ‘23
Christopher L'Heureux, PMP, MA in National Security Studies ’08, has been selected as the VP of Mission Solutions at Torch.AI.
After 29 years of Army service and graduating from the Hiring Our Heroes program, his expertise in military operations and leadership will drive innovation in customer programs and national security solutions.
Peter Reddy, MS in Systems Engineering ‘90, has been selected as the next Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy (DASN) for Research, Development, Test & Engineering (RDT&E). With decades of aerospace and systems engineering expertise, including his time as a Marine Corps officer, Reddy will bring exceptional leadership to the RDA team.
RB Consulting Inc. has promoted John Ryan Bailey, MBA Master of Business Administration ‘04, to Vice President of Federal Health and Life Science Solutions. A retired U.S. Army colonel, Bailey brings extensive experience in healthcare and supply chain management, including his leadership as commander of the U.S. Army Medical Materiel Agency. At RBCI, he has driven growth through innovative programs in healthcare, life sciences, and R&D, while leveraging his expertise in team building and business process optimization.
Cmdr. Jason Baumann, MBA ‘17 (Conrad Scholar), assumed command as the Commanding Officer of the Strike Fighter Weapons School, Atlantic. With over 2,700 flight hours and 600 carrier landings, Baumann’s career includes deployments aboard multiple aircraft carriers, combat missions in Iraq and Afghanistan, and graduation from the Navy Fighter Weapons School (TOPGUN).
Jordan Schmalz, MS Systems Engineering ‘13, was recognized as the U.S. Navy’s Product Support Manager of the Year for his leadership in the Airborne Strategic Command, Control, and Communications Program Office (PMA-271). With over 15 years at NAVAIR, Schmalz has made significant contributions to the sustainment of the E-6B Mercury and the acquisition of its successor, the E-130J. His efforts have driven cost-saving initiatives projected to save millions while ensuring mission readiness for these critical assets.
The California Highway Patrol (CHP) Monterey Area Office recently appointed a new commander, Captain Nicholas King, MA in Security Studies ‘19, on November 1, 2024.
Monterey County Sheriff’s Office made an employment offer to a new Corrections Operations Bureau Chief Deputy Sheriff to Timothy Lanquist, MS Applied in Mathematics ‘98.
City Manager Gerry Beaudin is pleased to announce the selection of Chief Tracy Avelar, MA in Security Studies ‘17, as the first female police chief in Foster City’s history.
The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management’s Alaska Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Region has announced Heather Parker, MS Physical Oceanography ‘96, as chief of its Environmental Studies Program.
Marine Corps Col. Joseph A. Katz, MBA '04, for appointment to the grade of brigadier general. Katz is currently serving as chief of staff, Marine Forces Reserve, New Orleans, Louisiana.
Navy Capt. Walter H. Allman III, MS in Defense Analysis ‘12, for appointment to the grade of rear admiral (lower half). Allman is currently serving as commandant, U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland.
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