Participating Labs

AFRL is the Department of the Air Force Research Laboratory located throughout the United States and Internationally. We are One lab, Two Services for the Air Force and the Space Force. AFRL leads the discovery, development, and delivery of warfighting technologies for our air, space, and cyberspace forces. AFRL is headquartered at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio, home to the Wright brothers and recognized as the birthplace of aviation. We are comprised of Technology Directorates, Functional Directorates, 711th Human Performance Wing, and the Air Force Office of Scientific Research. To meet current and future technology needs, AFRL has unique facilities and state-of-the-art equipment in locations around the world. Our commitment to innovation gives us the drive to constantly push the envelope and deliver the technology that keeps us prepared for the future.

CAPE's mission is to provide the Department of Defense with timely, insightful and unbiased analysis on resource allocation and cost estimation problems to deliver the optimum portfolio of military capabilities through efficient and effective use of each taxpayer dollar. CAPE is DoD’s premier analysis organization, reporting directly to the Secretary of Defense and Deputy Secretary of Defense to help craft DoD’s budget. CAPE is analysis focused and uses the best available analytic tools and data developed by smart, motivated people from a diverse range of professionals with unique thoughts, perspectives and educational backgrounds. Our analysts are independent, impact oriented, and dedicated to contributing to the nation’s defense such as climate change, DoD’s nuclear arsenal, communications infrastructure, warfighter readiness, and cost estimates for future spending, such as projecting the cost of the next-gen bomber.

The Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) provides cross-cutting solutions to enable the Department of Defense, the United States Government, and international partners to Deter strategic attacks against the United States and its allies; Prevent, reduce, and counter WMD and emerging threats; and Prevail against WMD-armed adversaries in crisis and conflict. DTRA’s core functions contain many enduring tasks and responsibilities as well as new efforts and initiatives to account for rapidly evolving technological and operational challenges. In all cases, the Agency adapts to address these issues more effectively by performing basic and applied research, exploratory development, and cybersecurity to meet our nation’s most critical science and technology needs. Scholars at DTRA can look forward to working within their Sponsoring Directorate applying their knowledge, experiences, skills, and talents to contribute to the missions of countering and deterring WMD and emerging threats.

The mission of A1Z is to provide Research, Development, Evaluations, and Data Analysis of Interpersonal- and Self-Directed Violence (ISDV) Programs on behalf of the Secretary and Under Secretary of the Department of the Air Force. The team leverages social and behavioral science as well as data analysis to research Suicide, Sexual Assault, and Workplace/Domestic Violence Programs.

The U.S. Army DEVCOM Analysis Center, or DAC, headquartered at Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD, is the Army's largest in-house analytical capability. DAC is one of eight science and technology domains within the command, and has the mission to deliver objective analysis, experimentation, and data across the entire life cycle to ensure readiness today and a more lethal future force tomorrow. As part of Army Futures Command, the center provides the analytical underpinnings to inform Modernization decisions, while its lifecycle perspective enables it to also focus on near term Readiness and Operational Tools for the Warfighter. DAC has a vast array of capabilities, including integrated analysis from concept to fielding, cyber and electronic warfare vulnerability and resiliency, kinetic lethality and vulnerability, authoritative models and data for modernization decisions, Soldier-centered performance design impacts and weaponeering tools for multi-domain operations.

The Combat Capabilities Development Command Armaments Center is the Army's "Center of Lethality," a designation reflecting its important role as the provider of more than 90 percent of the Army's lethal armaments and munitions to our warfighters. The DEVCOM AC mission is to lead research, development and engineering of systems solutions to arm those who defend the nation against all current and future threats, both at home and abroad.

The U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Army Research Laboratory (DEVCOM ARL), as an integral part of the Army Futures Command, is the U.S Army’s foundational research laboratory that has the mission of operationalizing science. The DEVCOM ARL mission essential task of foundational research has the objective to conduct research and reconnaissance to inform future Army science, technology, and engineering and invest in areas that ensure overmatch. DEVCOM ARL executes research in 11 competencies that provide the Army foundational expertise and specialized capabilities grounded in scientific excellence and driven by unique Army challenges. These competencies are: Biological and Biotechnology Sciences; Electromagnetic Spectrum Sciences; Energy Sciences, Humans in Complex Systems; Mechanical Sciences; Military Information Sciences; Network, Cyber, and Computational Sciences; Photonics, Electronics, and Quantum Sciences; Sciences of Extreme Materials; Terminal Effects; and Weapons Sciences.

We are AvMC – the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Aviation & Missile Center. The Army's focal point for providing research, development, and engineering technology and services for aviation platforms and missile systems across the life cycle. The AvMC team – approximately 12,000-strong – has remained at the forefront of Army technology. Our focus is on four key priorities: Developing and integrating next-generation technologies to ensure aviation and missile dominance; Providing world-class functional engineering expertise to the Program Executive Offices, Missile Defense Agency, Rapid Capabilities & Critical Technologies Office, and other critical partners; Providing world-class sustainment engineering expertise to Aviation and Missile Command partners; Recruiting and developing the engineering talent to achieve areas 1-3.

The mission of the DEVCOM CBC is to provide innovative chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive (CBRNE) defense capabilities to enable the Joint Warfighters' dominance on the battlefield and interagency defense of the homeland.

The U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Soldier Center (DEVCOM Soldier Center) is a team of world-class scientists, engineers, analysts, technicians, and support staff who are fully focused on empowering America’s Soldiers today and in the future. We leverage cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence, quantum effects, autonomy, robotics, advanced energetics, and synthetic biology to give Soldiers the ability to see, sense, decide and act faster than their adversaries. Located in Natick, MA and Orlando, FL, DEVCOM Soldier Center is the science behind the Soldier.

NAWCAD is the Navy's largest warfare center with a diverse force of military, civilians and contractors building the navy of today, the navy of tomorrow and the navy after next. The acquisition and sustainment of capability is a weapon of war - NAWCAD delivers! NAWCAD is where naval aviation takes flight through research, development, test and evaluation of both fielded and not-yet fielded naval platforms and technologies that ensure America's Sailors and Marines always go into conflict with significant advantage.

NAWCWD is the Navy’s largest single land-holding of 85% of the Navy’s land for Research, Development, Acquisition, Test, and Evaluation (RDAT&E). With a combined 1,829 square miles of land, 36,000 square miles of sea, and 20,000 square miles of restricted airspace, NAWCWD maintains centers of excellence in weapons development and electronic warfare for the Department of Navy. With over 75 years of accelerated, game-changing weapons development, testing, and integration, NAWCWD continues to deliver products and innovations that support our National Defense Strategy and provide a tactical advantage to the fleet. NAWCWD enables the industry and government teaming by providing government expertise and collaboration at all levels within original equipment manufacturers (OEM) for development and production, including organic completion of integration, testing, fielding, and sustainment of systems.

The Volunteer Student Internship Program at the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Legislative Affairs (OASD(LA)) includes preparing documents such as background and prep materials for Congressional engagements, daily and weekly status reports, and other materials related to Congressional hearings, bills and floor actions, dealing with key programs for which the OASD(LA) is responsible, collecting information to include the 90-day congressional forecast. Maintain Senate/House Face Charts and work on special projects as directed by the team lead, update the Projected Legislative Calendar; working with other team chiefs to determine priorities list for the office, and research Senate/House members and create memos regarding their political views and recent media appearances, and tracking social media.

The Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) is responsible for policy development, planning, resource management and program evaluation. OSD includes the offices of top civilian defense decision-makers with regard to personnel, weapons acquisition, research, intelligence and fiscal policy, as well as offices the Secretary establishes to assist in carrying out assigned responsibilities.

The U.S. Army Aeromedical Research Laboratory’s mission is to deliver scientific solutions that save lives and increase performance of Army aviators, the airborne Soldier, and ground Warriors. The Laboratory’s unique mix of scientific personnel successfully conduct critical research for solving operationally relevant medical problems and collaborate with military developers to enhance the performance and safety of future Army systems.

The U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center helps solve our nation’s most challenging problems in civil and military engineering, geospatial sciences, water resources, and environmental sciences for the Army, Department of Defense, civilian agencies, and our Nation’s public good. Our vision is to become the world’s premier public engineering and environmental sciences research and development organization. As one of the most diverse engineering and scientific research organizations in the world, ERDC conducts research and development in support of the Soldier, military installations, and the Corps of Engineers' civil works mission, as well as for other federal agencies, state and municipal authorities, and with U.S. industries through innovative work agreements. ERDC operates more than $1 billion in world class facilities at seven labs located in four states with more than 2,100 employees to administer an annual research program exceeding $1 billion.

The U.S. Army Institute of Surgical Research is the Army’s premier research organization focused exclusively on the combat wounded and is the home of the only Burn Center in the Department of Defense. The USAISR conducts requirements-driven, programmatic research to develop knowledge and materiel products that drive evidence-based, best clinical practice solutions and deliver advanced technologies for the Warfighter. All are designed to facilitate more effective combat casualty care. Laboratory research is conducted in the areas of 1) blood and shock resuscitation, 2) hemorrhage and vascular dysfunction, 3) organ support and automation technology, 4) combat wound care, and 5) pain and sensory trauma.

USAMRIID is the DoD’s lead laboratory for medical biological defense research. USAMRIID’s mission is to provide leading edge medical capabilities to deter and defend against current and emerging biological agents that threaten both the military and the nation. It is a unique laboratory with the capability of advancing medical countermeasures from discovery through product development, has fielded diagnostic tools and developed multiple vaccine and therapeutic candidates, and responded to crises. USAMRIID’s unique capabilities include BSL-3 and -4 laboratories, world-class expertise in biosafety and biosecurity, test and evaluation of candidate vaccines and therapeutics, and fully accredited animal research facilities to support animal model development. Scientists are internationally renowned experts in genomics, virology, bacteriology, entomology, toxicology, biochemistry, pathology, veterinary medicine, aerobiology, synthetic biology, immunology, and regulatory science.

The U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command Technical Center supports the joint Warfighter by providing science, technology, and test and evaluation expertise to enable Warfighter dominance today and in the future. As part of the Army Science and Technology enterprise, the Technical Center contributes to the current fight and enables the next generation to prevail in conflicts to come. The Technical Center focuses on three essential tasks: executing science and technology, research and development, and test and evaluation; managing and operating the Ronald Reagan Ballistic Missile Defense Test Site; and conducting space operations and space domain awareness. The Technical Center contributes to the success of the Warfighter and joint force in four major areas: directed energy, tactical responsive space and high altitude, test and evaluation, and hypersonic and strategic weapons.

At the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, interns participate alongside scientists and medical professionals to develop and test products to diagnose, prevent, and treat not only the most dangerous and debilitating diseases in the world today but also to protect the brain and behavioral health of service members. Research ultimately benefits both military and civilian health.