In a move to accelerate the commercialization of early-stage technologies critical to U.S. national and economic security, Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) selected SRI as its Silicon Valley-based Commercial Accelerator.
SRI is teaming with the Naval Postgraduate School Foundation and NewLab to create a comprehensive commercial accelerator team, harnessing the expertise of the three organizations to guide DARPA performers on their journey to market, speed up tech transition and scale DARPA-funded technologies. Read more.
"Driving the adoption of new technologies is how we win. The current global security landscape demands that we accelerate the pace of innovation and deliver defense and security solutions that give our service members a competitive edge. The NPS Foundation in partnership with SRI and our unique network of defense and industry experts, is driving the adoption of capabilities under DARPA’s Commercial Accelerator Program. Together we can bring next generation capabilities to the warfighter today." - Todd Lyons, Vice President, NPS Foundation
The Naval Postgraduate School hosted its European International Alumni Symposium in Garmisch, Germany, Sept. 29 to Oct. 3, with more than 100 NPS alumni representing 29 nations across Europe in attendance. Beyond the formal sessions and professional exchange, the symposium also provided an opportunity to advance important relationships, and maritime statecraft, and reconnect NPS with its global community of alumni. Read more.
"In so many ways, [educational institutions] are the engines of what happens in the future. They not only equip individuals with the skill sets to think about particular knowledge areas but, more broadly, to think critically and strategically. These institutions are what provide this foundation for our future, and the Naval Postgraduate School is among them." - Adm. Stuart Munsch, Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa; Commander, Allied Joint Force Command Naples
Assistant Secretary of the Navy Franklin R. Parker visited California institutions to promote maritime service and education. During his visit to the Naval Postgraduate School, Parker focused on strengthening military education to enhance Navy capabilities. He highlighted the importance of innovative research partnerships between the Navy and academic institutions, emphasizing how these collaborations support the fleet's strategic needs. Read more.
The Navy celebrated Energy Action Month by highlighting achievements in energy resilience and sustainability at its shore installations. The initiatives include renewable energy use, microgrid systems, and infrastructure upgrades aimed at reducing emissions and enhancing energy security across the Fleet and Force. Efforts focused on the warfighter include opportunities like the Masters of Operational Energy degree at the Naval Postgraduate School that will equip graduates with the essential skills required to enhance their effectiveness in the modern battlespace. Read more
NPS researchers are nearing completion of the first phase of an atomic fountain, the largest of its kind, designed for experiments in precise navigation and timekeeping. The instrument will enable advanced defense applications, including alternative navigation in GPS-denied environments, and is expected to be fully operational in 2025.
Former U.S. Ambassador to Russia, John J. Sullivan, delivered a lecture at NPS on Nov. 12. Drawing from his extensive diplomatic experience, Sullivan discussed leadership lessons and highlighted pressing global security challenges, emphasizing the importance of unity and strong U.S. leadership in addressing threats from authoritarian regimes and conflicts like the Russia-Ukraine war.
Military and civilian leaders from 19 North Atlantic Treaty Organization members and partner nations convened at NPS to share knowledge and address solutions to one of the most powerful forces effecting global security today – climate change.
NPS' recent JIFX highlighted uncrewed systems and countermeasures, including experiments in USV coordination and autonomous systems testing. Through partnership with Monterey County, a section of Lake San Antonio is now open for surface and underwater experimentation. Researchers collaborated with industry and defense partners to explore technologies like drone object tracking, GPS-denied navigation and advanced sensing.
Christopher Miller's Arctic expedition provided essential data on ocean dynamics, contributing to the understanding of climate impacts in one of the world's most sensitive and strategic regions.
A team of students and faculty at the Naval Postgraduate School and Stanford University is helping Naval Base Point Loma (NBPL) develop a zonal, modular microgrid architecture that will enable NBPL to continue mission critical operations even under a full power disruption from the local utility.
Lt. Jarrod Kujawski, MS in Systems Engineering '24, investigated how a microgrid consisting of solar panels, batteries and emergency diesel generators could lead to cost savings. Using NBPL data, he developed a model that demonstrated how Navy bases could justify microgrid installation through quantifiable cost savings and added energy resilience.
Next: A team of 5 systems engineering distance learning students will advance the effort through their capstone project using the NPS-developed Open Source Microgrid Planning Tool.
Impact: These and other efforts aim to meet objectives outlined in the Secretary of the Navy’s Climate Action 2030 strategy, such as advancing energy. Read more.
The NPS-CIRPAS Airborne Research Facility and its unique Twin Otter research aircraft are helping to advance research on improving the Navy’s ability to predict the optical propagation environment in the coastal region for directed energy applications and more.
The team will be measuring optical propagation through a linked ground-based tracking and camera system with visible and midwave infrared cameras.
The data collected by the team will: Support multiple student research efforts and provide a better understanding of the atmospheric scintillation and attenuation for electro-optical and infrared (EOIR) signals.
The NPS-CIRPAS team is also supporting NASA to validate data received from its new PACE - or Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, and ocean Ecosystem – satellite. Read more.
Featuring Adm. Samuel Paparo, MS in Systems Analysis ‘15
By Harrison Schramm, MS in Operations Research ‘06, Senior Lecturer, Department of Defense Management
By James Wirtz, PhD, NPS Professor, National Security Affairs
Featuring Lt. Col. Jesse Attig, MS in Modeling, Virtual Environments and Simulation '16
By retired U.S. Navy Vice Adm. Roy Kitchener, MA in National Security Affairs ‘92, and Michael Nelson
By Dan White, MA in Security Studies ‘23
By Ryan Gingeras, PhD, Professor, National Security Affairs
By Jihoon Yu, MA in National Security Affairs ‘06
Featuring Matthew Dominick, MS in Systems Engineering ‘05
Featuring Jasmin Moghbeli, MS in Aerospace Engineering ‘15
Quoted – Prof. Brenda Shaffer, PhD, Faculty Associate – Research, Energy Academic Group
By Tommy Jamison, PhD, Assistant Professor, Defense Analysis
Quoted - Dr. Afshon Ostovar, Associate Professor, National Security Affairs
Featuring Dr. Afshon Ostovar, Associate Professor, National Security Affairs
Quoted - David Ortiz-Suslow, Research Assistant Professor, Meteorology
Aperio Global announced the appointment of retired U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Will Metts, MS in Systems Technology ‘94, as Chief Strategy Officer. Metts brings over thirty years of distinguished service in national security and defense and will spearhead Aperio Global's strategy and growth initiatives.
Jacqueline Maguire, MA in Security Studies (Homeland Security and Defense) ‘13, has been appointed as the executive assistant director of the FBI's Science and Technology Branch. With a background in counterterrorism and field leadership, she will oversee technical operations and scientific advancements that support national security efforts.
Robert Taylor, MS in Electrical Engineering ‘13, has been appointed as Senior Scientific Technical Manager (SSTM) for Electromagnetic Spectrum Operations at Naval Information Warfare Center (NIWC) Atlantic. With over 20 years of experience, Taylor will lead advancements in electronic warfare and spectrum operations to support naval capabilities.
BWX Technologies, Inc. announced that Howard B. Markle II, MS in Mechanical Engineering '01, has been named vice president and general manager of the BWXT Nuclear Operations Group – Lynchburg facility. Markle has served as the site’s deputy general manager since 2022. He retired from the Navy as a rear admiral after serving in numerous roles on nuclear submarines and carriers in his career.
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission announced Robert Lewis, CHDS’ Executive Leaders Program, as Deputy Executive Director for Operations, in the areas of materials, waste, research, state, tribal, compliance, administration, and human capital programs effective Oct. 20, 2024. Lewis has32 years of experience at the NRC, including specialization in wastemanagement, nuclear fuel cycles, risk assessment, transportation, and emergency preparedness and response. Since 2019, he has served as Deputy Director of theOffice of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards.
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission announced Craig Erlanger, CHDS’ Executive Leaders Program, as Director of the Office of Nuclear Security and Incident Response effective Oct. 20, 2024. Since 2014, he has served as both the Deputy Director and Director of the Division of Fuel Cycle Safety, Safeguards and Environmental Review in NMSS and head of the Division of Operating Reactor Licensing in the Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation. Most recently, he was the Deputy Director and Acting Director of NSIR.
John M. Esposito, MA in Security Studies ’11, was appointed as Chief of Department, the highest-ranking uniformed position in the New York City Fire Department. Esposito, a 34-year veteran who most recently served as Chief of Operations, will now oversee the Department's 14,000 uniformed Firefighters and EMS personnel and major agency Bureaus, including Fire Operations, EMS Operations, Training, and Fire Prevention.
Kevin F. Woods, CHDS’ Executive Leaders Program, was appointed as the Chief of Fire Operations in the New York City Fire Department. He is a 34-year veteran who has most recently served as Assistant Chief of Operations. As Chief of Fire Operations, Woods will oversee the day-to-day work of more than 11,000 Firefighters, Fire Officers and Chiefs and work hand and hand with borough commanders, city planning, and many other areas.
Brett Compston, CHDS’ Executive Leaders Program, who has worked more than a decade in emergency response at the state and federal level, was named the next chief of Nevada Division of Emergency Management/Homeland Security. Compston, set to retire next month as a colonel from the Nevada Army National Guard, has managed several highly visible missions in recent years, including time as Incident Commander for Nevada’s coronavirus health response (2020-2021).
Maj. William Crotty, CHDS' Fusion Center Leaders Program, has been named the 27th Colonel of the Delaware State Police – effective November 1st. Major Crotty’s promotion to the rank of Colonel marks the culmination of a distinguished career of over 27 years of dedicated service – which began in January of 1997 as a member of the 66th DSP Academy class. Most recently Crotty has served as the South Operations Major, managing criminal investigative and patrol operations for Kent and Sussex Counties.
Scott Kelberg, CHDS’ Executive Leaders Program, started a new position as Branch Chief of Employee Development Programs at the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Lt. Col. Matt Hanley, MA in Security Studies ’15, will become the 14th Superintendent of the Virginia State Police, replacing the current superintendent, a fellow NPS graduate, Col. Gary T. Settle, MA in Security Studies '12.
The unclassified National Defense Industrial Strategy Implementation Plan (NDIS-IP) describes six cross-cutting initiatives and associated lines of effort, which will enable the DOD to achieve a more resilient defense industrial ecosystem and buy-down risks. In addition to detailing the work being done across the Services and DOD components, the NDIS-IP demonstrates activities and initiatives that the U.S. Government, private industry, and international allies and partners are undertaking, emphasizing that this effort cannot be a DOD-only initiative. Read the NDIS-IP.
