ARL Capabilities

► research capabilities

ARL is primarily a science and technology-based laboratory with strength and leadership in the following research areas: acoustics, guidance and control, thermal energy systems, hydrodynamics, hydroacoustics, propulsion, materials & manufacturing, navigation & GPS, communications & information, and education.

Led by world-class scientists and technicians working in state-of-the-art facilities, ARL's research capabilities are distributed among the following areas listed below.

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AT - Advanced Technology

The Advanced Technology (AT) provides technological advancements for undersea systems and complementary applications by providing overall ARL capability and leadership.

Advanced Technology research areas include:

CIN - Communication, Information & Navigation

The Communications, Information and Navigation (CIN) at ARL serves as a research center of excellence in communication technologies, information fusion and processing, navigation science, and visualization in response to sponsor needs.

In fulfillment of this mission, the CIN:

Performs basic and applied research, exploratory development, and advanced development in support of program sponsors
Champions the transfer of advanced technologies to naval acquisition programs and fleet operations as well as to other government agencies and the private sector

Research areas include:

FSM - Fluids & Structural Mechanics

The design and analysis of underwater propulsors forms a core area of research and development at ARL Penn State. With its excellent test facilities, ARL Penn State has traditionally focused on experimental fluid dynamics, where fundamental and exploratory research is conducted into the physical phenomena governing boundary layer flows, cavitation, flow control, and the hydrodynamics of marine vehicles.

In conjunction with research in experimental fluid dynamics, ARL Penn State works to develop a technology base for the design and analysis of marine vehicles integrated with their control systems and propulsors.

Fluid and Structural Mechanics (FSM) research areas include:

MM - Materials & Manufacturing

The mission of Materials & Manufacturing (MM) is to advance the state-of-the art in materials and manufacturing processing technology. To that end, we address issues related to materials design, materials processing, component design, manufacturing systems, repair and sustainment.

Our technologies are enabling in that success for us entails design and fabrication of lighter, cheaper structural components for ships, subs, aircraft, or vehicles, more cost effective manufacturing processes for fabrication or repair of components of platforms, or design and integration of sensor systems for health or environmental monitoring of systems. These technologies are relevant to all platforms of interest within the DoD and consequently, we support a wide range of customers within the Navy and the DoD.

Materials & Manufacturing research areas include:

UW - Undersea Weapons

Undersea Weapons Office (UW) carries on the core mission for which Penn State's Applied Research Laboratory was originally established by the Navy in 1945 – the maintenance and expansion of US technological excellence in homing torpedoes.

UW is a key science and technology provider to the undersea weapons enterprise with the expertise, tools, and processes to take concepts from the early developmental phase through transition to industry and the fleet.

For more information, please visit:

► research facilities

ARL has many facilities that augment its research capabilities. These facilities, which support both ARL and sponsor driven programs, are equipped with the latest in hardware and software and are staffed by leading experts and skilled technicians.

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General Research Facilities

General Research Facilities serve research projects with permanently established facilities and include:

Program-Specific Facilities

Program-Specific Facilities were initially established to serve sponsor-driven research projects and include:

Acoustics Research
- Acoustic Reverberant Tank
- Acoustic Test Tank
Computing Services
Environmental
Scanning Laser Vibrometry
Materials Processing
Pump Loop Facility
Nuclear
Vehicle Test Range

Keyport Test Site

A small group of ARL engineers and technicians permanently stationed at Keyport, WA maintain and operate a small fleet of ARL test vehicles.

Vehicle Test Range

► centers & institutes

ARL administrated Centers & Institutes, which augment ARL capabilities, are important cross-disciplinary efforts that address research and manufacturing challenges too complex for single-investor programs. These Centers & Institutes provide focal points for the development and transfer of new technologies, processes and equipment in a cooperative environment with industry, academia, and the U. S. military.

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DTC - Drive Train Center

Drive Train Center (DTC) - sponsored by the Navy Manufacturing Technology (MANTECH) Program

GRI - Gear Research Institute

Gear Research Institute (GRI) - operated by the DTC and affiliated with:

the American Society of Mechanical Engineers ( ASME)
and the American Gear Manufacturers Association(AGMA)

iMAST - Inst. for Mfg. & Sustainment Technologies

Institute for Manufacturing & Sustainment Technologies (iMAST) - a part of ARL and one of nine U.S. Navy MANTECH Centers of Excellence managed by the Office of Naval Research along with the REPTECH program.

INLDT - Inst. for Non-Lethal Defense Technologies

Institute for Non-Lethal Defense Technologies (INLDT) - established by Penn State and administrated by ARL

► program development areas

As new technologies emerge, ARL is often tasked by our sponsorship to develop and deploy these technologies into functioning and maintainable programs.

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Programs

Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA)
HLS - Home Land Security
Space Research (SR)

Lunar Lion X Prize

► arl field & support offices

ARL maintains several offices that are located in the "field" to provide proximal support for our projects and programs.

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Washington D.C. Office

The purpose of the ARL Washington D.C. Office is to serve as a focal point for liaison with the sponsor community and to serve as the Washington area focus for program development and showcasing of Laboratory capabilities.

Contact
ARL Penn State Washington DC Area Office (Ballston)
801 N. Quincy Street, Suite 120
Arlington, VA 22203
(703) 312-6990

Reston, VA Office

The purpose of the ARL Reston Office is to serve as a liaison with the National Capital Region sponsor community and to support program development of Laboratory capabilities.

Contact
Applied Research Laboratory
The Pennsylvania State University
1800 Alexander Bell Drive
Suite 256
Reston, VA 20191-5465

Phone: 703-939-8670
Fax: 703-939-8672

Fayette DEC

The Distributed Engineering Center (DEC) is a superior liaison for collaborative engineering between Penn State and the United States Navy, by responsibly housing, safeguarding, and maintaining the hardware and secured software for the users of the DEC. Opened in 2002, the DEC is located on Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus. Since its opening, the DEC sponsored website has been functioning as an official Navy website to facilitate the cost-effective exchange of information between the government and university. Through the years, the DEC has collaborated with over 20 plus companies in Southwestern Pennsylvania, and has been the workplace of numerous interns majoring in either Business or Information Technology. The DEC website is currently providing support to over 600 users, and continues to grow.

Contact

Distributed Engineering Center/ARL
Penn State Fayette, the Eberly Campus
1 University Drive
Room 106 Eberly
Uniontown, PA 15401
Phone: 724-430-4203
Fax: 724-430-4204
e-mail: dec_admin@dec.arl.psu.edu

Mitchel Field

Navigation Research & Development

Contact

R. LaMagna
516-228-1626

ARL Hawaii

Contact

T. Kyle
808-473-3530