The Naval Sea Systems Command has awarded Pennsylvania State University’s Applied Research Laboratory a potential $1.39 billion contract modification for technology research and development efforts.
Under the latest award, scientists and engineers at Penn State ARL will perform R&D, engineering, and test and evaluation work for various Department of Defense programs, with a focus on guidance, navigation and control; advanced thermal propulsions; advanced propulsors; materials technology and manufacturing technology; atmosphere and defense communications; and public and mission-related services, the DOD said Friday.
Work will be performed in State College, Pennsylvania, through February 2028.
ARL, one of the DOD-designated University Affiliated Research Center laboratories, received the initial 10-year, $2.11 billion contract in 2018 to build technology platforms in support of U.S. national security efforts. It was awarded a $734 million modification in 2023 to continue its work on national security platforms.
The laboratory develops guidance and control technologies for undersea systems and vehicles; conducts research on communications, information processing, cybersecurity, electro-optics and directed energy; and operates the Navigation Research and Development Center for assessing positioning, navigation and timing systems.