Naval Surface Warfare Center, Carderock Division

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Naval Surface Warfare Center, Carderock Division Welcome to the Official Naval Surface Warfare Center, Carderock Division Facebook Fan page sponsored by the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Carderock Division.

The Carderock Division consists of approximately 3,200 scientists, engineers and support personnel working in more than 40 disciplines ranging from fundamental science to applied/in-service engineering. We are the Navy's experts for maritime technology. The Division houses world-class facilities and laboratories. Carderock's Headquarters is located in West Bethesda, Maryland. The Division also conducts research and development at several remote sites across the country. As a major component and field activity of the Naval Sea Systems Command, the Carderock Division provides cradle-to-grave support for its technical products over an enormous range of scientific areas related to surface and undersea platforms. The Division addresses the full spectrum of applied maritime science and technology, from the theoretical and conceptual beginnings, through design and acquisition, to implementation and follow-on engineering. This includes all technical aspects of improving the performance of ships, submarines, military water craft, and unmanned vehicles, as well as research for military logistics systems. In addition, the Division is uniquely chartered by Congress to support America's maritime industry. We design, build, deliver and maintain ships, submarines and systems reliably, on-time and on-cost for the United States Navy.

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About Naval Sea Systems Command

The Naval Sea Systems Command is comprised of command staff, headquarters directorates, affiliated Program Executive Offices (PEOs) and numerous field activities. Together, we engineer, build, buy and maintain ships, submarines and combat systems that meet the Fleet's current and future operational requirements. Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) is the largest of the Navy's five system commands. With a fiscal year budget of nearly $30 billion, NAVSEA accounts for nearly one quarter of the Navy's entire budget. With a force of 80,200 (as of 1 Oct 2019) civilian and military personnel, NAVSEA engineers, builds, buys and maintains the Navy's ships and submarines and their combat systems. To accomplish this, NAVSEA manages 150 acquisition programs and manages foreign military sales cases that include billions of dollars in annual military sales to partner nations. The origin of NAVSEA dates to 1794, when Commodore John Barry was charged to oversee the construction of a 44-gun frigate and ensure that all business "harmonized and conformed" to the public's interest. Today, the NAVSEA organization has 40 activities. NAVSEA strives to be an efficient provider of defense resources for the nation, and it plays an important role in the Navy Enterprise. As a Provider Command, it has the responsibility of directing resource sponsors into the proper mix of manpower and resources to properly equip the fleet. NAVSEA has the further responsibility of establishing and enforcing technical authority in combat system design and operation. These technical standards use the organization's technical expertise to ensure systems are engineered effectively, and that they operate safely and reliably. The appearance of external hyperlinks does not constitute endorsement by the United States Navy or NAVSEA of the linked websites, or the information, products or services contained therein. Other than for authorized activities, such as military exchanges and Morale, Welfare and Recreation sites, the United States Department of Defense does not exercise any editorial control over the information you may find at these locations. COMMUNITY GUIDELINES

This page is intended to provide updated information and discussion on work that NAVSEA does to support and supply the US Navy. Please visit our official homepage at www.navsea.navy.mil

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Inspiring the next generation of naval innovators! 🔬⚓ On Oct. 17, Carderock’s Strategic Education and Outreach (SEO) tea...
11/01/2026

Inspiring the next generation of naval innovators! 🔬⚓

On Oct. 17, Carderock’s Strategic Education and Outreach (SEO) team participated in the 11th Annual Spooky Mad Science Expo at the Patrick Henry Recreation Center in Alexandria, Virginia. The team connected with more than 1,000 students, educators and parents to showcase hands-on Seaworthy STEM curriculum and share exciting internship opportunities.

Before steel is cut for our next generation of warships, the structural materials that form them must be proven, scalabl...
10/30/2026

Before steel is cut for our next generation of warships, the structural materials that form them must be proven, scalable, and resilient.

This week, Carderock hosted the Future Platform Materials Program working group at our headquarters in West Bethesda.

Gathering subject matter experts from across the Navy, defense industrial base, and academia, the triannual working group focuses on accelerating the technology readiness level of advanced ferrous alloy systems. By evaluating production scalability and drafting procurement specifications for next-generation castings, forgings, plate, and welding consumables, the program de-risks future acquisition pipelines, eliminates costly shipyard rework, and ensures fleet-wide platform integrity.

Carderock’s Commanding Officer, Capt. Christopher Matassa, and Technical Director, Dr. David Drazen, welcomed attendees and emphasized how cross-sector collaboration drives modern shipbuilding. As the intellectual and experimental engine powering the CNO’s "Foundry" and supporting the SECNAV’s Shipbuilding Priority, Carderock bridges basic research with fleet operational capability.

Carderock, the Navy's innovation and ship design powerhouse, continues to deliver world-class, cost-effective, and groundbreaking technical solutions to strengthen the U.S. maritime industrial base and ensure maritime superiority.

💡Inspiring tomorrow’s problem solvers in every language.🗣️ On Oct. 20, Carderock's Strategic Education and Outreach (SEO...
10/28/2026

💡Inspiring tomorrow’s problem solvers in every language.🗣️

On Oct. 20, Carderock's Strategic Education and Outreach (SEO) office participated in the 4th Annual College and Career Fair at International High School at Langley Park. The team spoke with 375 multilingual learners and educators about SEAP internship and Naval Horizon competition opportunities.

Carderock hosted a quarterly command All Hands on October 20, 2026 in West Bethesda. Commanding Officer, Capt. Chris Mat...
10/26/2026

Carderock hosted a quarterly command All Hands on October 20, 2026 in West Bethesda.

Commanding Officer, Capt. Chris Matassa, and Technical Director, Dave Drazen, went over their priorities and recognized employees who have achieved 25 years or more in length of service. In addition, representatives of the 2027 LEAD Cohort spoke about their backgrounds and the program.

Advancing high-strength steel additive manufacturing and leading the MIL-100S moonshot initiative expands domestic shipb...
10/25/2026

Advancing high-strength steel additive manufacturing and leading the MIL-100S moonshot initiative expands domestic shipbuilding capacity and solves critical lifecycle challenges before steel ever reaches the shipyard. As Welding Research and Development Group Lead at Naval Surface Warfare Center, Carderock Division, Matthew F. Sinfield spearheaded these efforts, pioneering next-generation ferrous welding technologies and maturing additive manufacturing processes to strengthen fleet sustainment across submarine and surface platforms.

In recognition of these enduring technical contributions, the American Society of Naval Engineers () awarded Sinfield the 2025 Frank C. Jones Award for Intermediate/Depot Maintenance & Alterations. Retired U.S. Navy Vice Adm. David Lewis presented the award at Carderock headquarters alongside Commanding Officer Capt. Christopher Matassa, Technical Director Dr. David Drazen, and department leadership.

Carderock, the Navy's innovation and ship design powerhouse, continues to deliver world-class, cost-effective, and groundbreaking technical solutions for advanced ships and systems to strengthen the U.S. maritime industrial base and ensure long-term maritime superiority.

📸 U.S. Navy photos by Corum Byers

Naval Sea Systems Command

Ready to dive into STEM? With Drone Command: Operation Uplink, students explore coding, AI, and underwater drone technol...
10/24/2026

Ready to dive into STEM? With Drone Command: Operation Uplink, students explore coding, AI, and underwater drone technology through an exciting, hands-on mission!

Explore the mission: https://operationuplink.vercel.app/

This  , we're recognizing the role chemistry plays in the research and innovation happening at Naval Surface Warfare Cen...
10/23/2026

This , we're recognizing the role chemistry plays in the research and innovation happening at Naval Surface Warfare Center, Carderock Division.

From researching advanced battery technologies to exploring safer, more resilient energy storage solutions, Carderock scientists and engineers use chemistry to address complex challenges facing the Navy.

Research into sodium-ion batteries, for example, could help reduce reliance on critical minerals like lithium and cobalt while improving energy storage safety and reliability for future ships and autonomous undersea systems.

It's just one of the many ways science supports the future fleet!

From scientific discovery to mission-ready innovation, STEM professionals play a vital role in advancing our Navy’s capa...
10/23/2026

From scientific discovery to mission-ready innovation, STEM professionals play a vital role in advancing our Navy’s capabilities. Celebrating the chemists, researchers, and innovators whose expertise helps solve complex challenges and shape the future of national defense. ⚓️

Happy National Chemistry Week!

Chemistry is everywhere, from the materials we use every day to the technologies that power innovation. This week, we celebrate the chemists and researchers whose work helps solve real-world challenges and improve our understanding of the world around us.

Interested in a career in chemistry? Explore STEM pathways and meet professionals using chemistry to make an impact: https://dowstem.us/explore/career/?careerType=chemistry

Logistics Specialist First Class Michael Irven was presented with the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal from Carde...
10/21/2026

Logistics Specialist First Class Michael Irven was presented with the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal from Carderock’s commanding officer, Capt. Christopher Matassa, during an awards ceremony in West Bethesda, Md. on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2026.

LS1 Irven was recognized for his exceptional service and decisive actions preventing catastrophic loss to facilities and infrastructure during a wildfire at Carderock’s Acoustic Research Detachment in Bayview, Idaho.

Bravo Zulu LS1 Irven! Thank you for your service and commitment!

THE ANALOG HARD DRIVE: HOW THE NAVY STORED A FLEET IN 3D Model Storage at EMB. Every planned hull form for the lead ship...
10/20/2026

THE ANALOG HARD DRIVE: HOW THE NAVY STORED A FLEET IN 3D

Model Storage at EMB. Every planned hull form for the lead ship of each class of naval vessels was tested and the models stored, creating a kind of three-dimensional database. Keel shapes with projecting rudders and propeller housings can be seen on the storage racks.

Long before computer modeling and digital databases existed, naval architects needed a reliable way to catalog, compare, and refine hull forms across dozens of ship classes. At the Washington Navy Yard's Experimental Model Basin (EMB), researchers built an ingenious, real-world solution: an expansive three-dimensional physical database. Every time the Navy planned a new class of warship, a scaled model of the lead ship was precision-built, evaluated in the towing tank, and carefully cataloged on tiered warehouse storage racks.

Throughout the interwar decades, the Bureau of Construction and Repair sent every major hull variation to the basin—from fleet submarines and cruisers to legendary aircraft carriers like USS Yorktown (CV 5) and destroyers like USS Farragut (DD 348).

Technicians towed these models to determine powering requirements and hydrodynamic resistance, evaluating how subtle tweaks to keel contours, rudders, and propeller housings altered performance. By preserving the models side by side, engineers could cross-reference hydrodynamic data, validate incremental upgrades, and ensure the fleet entering World War II was backed by proven science.

Carderock, the Navy's innovation and ship design powerhouse, continues to deliver world-class, cost-effective, and groundbreaking technical solutions for advanced ships and systems to strengthen the U.S. maritime industrial base and ensure long-term maritime superiority.

Address

9500 MacArthur Boulevard
Bethesda, MD
20817

Opening Hours

Monday 6am - 6pm
Tuesday 6am - 6pm
Wednesday 6am - 6pm
Thursday 6am - 6pm
Friday 6am - 6pm

Telephone

+13012274465

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