Inside Joint Interagency Field Experimentation (JIFX) at NPS
Joint Interagency Field Experimentation lowers the barrier for emerging technologies to be evaluated by operators and command sponsors while connecting industry with NPS students and researchers. Four times a year, the program brings operators, sponsors and engineers to the NPS Field Laboratory at Camp Roberts to evaluate emerging capabilities in field conditions. JIFX allows teams to test ideas quickly, identify integration challenges, iterate onsite and generate data that informs future development. Instead of waiting for formal programs of record, systems can be assessed early, refined through operator feedback and measured against mission requirements.
The recent JIFX 26-2 event, held February 23–27, included over 40 companies exploring technologies across unmanned systems, communications and autonomy. Operational sponsors and government partners regularly include organizations such as U.S. Special Operations Command, U.S. Transportation Command, Naval Special Warfare, the Office of Naval Research and Small Business Development Centers that help connect emerging technologies with real mission needs.
More than 50 NPS students attended, engaging directly with companies as emerging technologies were evaluated in field conditions. The NPS Foundation supported student participation by providing transportation to the site.
Members of the NPS Foundation Strategic Initiatives Committee attended JIFX 26-2 to observe experimentation and meet with participating teams. Hands-on demonstrations included modular 3D-printed unmanned aircraft from Firestorm Labs, autonomous drone operations from Gambit, aerial sensing technologies from GreenSight, attritable ground robotics from Liminal Industries and wireless power transmission systems from Reach Power.
The NPS Foundation supports JIFX as part of its broader effort to strengthen field experimentation at the Naval Postgraduate School. Foundation support helped sustain the February experimentation event and ensure the continuation of this quarterly event. Field experimentation is a core element of the Naval Innovation Center at NPS, connecting industry, operators, students and researchers to evaluate emerging technologies in operational environments and accelerate the transition of both talent and technology into defense applications.
Annual Menneken Award Winners Reflect Operational Impact of NPS Researchers
The Naval Postgraduate School has announced the 2025 recipients of the Carl E. and Jessie W. Menneken Awards for Excellence in Scientific Research: Dr. Alejandro (Andy) Hernandez of the Department of Systems Engineering and Dr. Britta Hale, formerly of the Department of Computer Science. Hernandez received the award for Significant and Sustained Contribution, while Hale was recognized for Highly Meritorious Research for her work in cryptography and secure communications.
Established in 1988, the Carl E. and Jessie W. Menneken Awards for Excellence in Scientific Research are sponsored by the Naval Postgraduate School Foundation. Supported through the Menneken Endowment, the awards honor faculty whose work exemplifies the highest standards of research excellence and demonstrates clear relevance to naval and defense challenges. Learn more.
Naval Postgraduate School Provides AI Workshop for NAVSUP WSS to Boost Warfighting Edge
The Naval Postgraduate School partnered with Naval Supply Systems Command Weapon Systems Support (NAVSUP WSS) to deliver a short course introducing employees to the fundamentals of artificial intelligence and its potential applications in defense operations. The workshop, led by NPS Vice Provost for Warfare Studies Randy Pugh, focused on building AI literacy across the workforce while demonstrating how emerging tools can help personnel analyze complex problems, improve efficiency and strengthen operational readiness. Learn more.
Senior civilian and military leaders from Naval Supply Systems Command joined the Naval Postgraduate School’s AI Task Force for an Artificial Intelligence Leadership Forum focused on identifying practical applications of AI across Navy supply chain, logistics and business operations. Through collaborative sessions, participants examined capability gaps and explored strategies to integrate emerging technologies that can improve decision-making and strengthen operational readiness across the NAVSUP enterprise. Learn more.
Naval Postgraduate School students, alumni, faculty and staff are actively engaged in impactful discussions across a spectrum of critical topics, reflecting the expertise of the individuals and the institution's contributions to addressing defense and national security challenges.
Competitive by Design: Reforming Defense Procurement for Speed
By Lt. Cmdr. Adam Pierce, Executive MBA ’22
The $75 Radio: Why US Special Operations Command Needs to Buy Off the Shelf for the Next War
By Maj. Logan Birchfield, Defense Analysis ’25
UxS Priority One: Defend the Carrier
By Lt. Cmdr. Jordan Spector, Space Systems Certificate ’17
Iran: IRGC in power during transition phase after Khamenei's death, Afshon Ostovar: "Group loyal to Ayatollah family"Featuring Afshon Ostovar, Associate Professor and Associate Chair for Research, National Security Affairs Dept.
Who is set to be in charge in Iran now that Khamenei is dead? A powerful hard-line military corps
Featuring Dr. Afshon Ostovar, Associate Professor and Associate Chair for Research, National Security Affairs Dept.
Trump's bet on Iranian regime change could be his biggest gamble yetFeaturing Mohammed Hafez, Professor, National Security Affairs Dept.
"The tactics in Iran are similar to those in Kosovo in 1999": Former advisor to Donald Rumsfeld to the BBC
Featuring Dr. John Arquilla, professor of defense analysis
Opinion: Putin's $2.5 trillion gambitBy Dr. David R. Henderson, Professor of Economics, and Dr. Ryan Sullivan, Associate Professor of Economics
This is the Volos Admiral who "commands" the Greek frigates in Cyprus
Featuring Vice Adm. Dimitrios-Eleftherios Kataras, Dual MS in Electrical Engineering and Aeronautical Engineering ‘95
Frigate "Kimon": Out on patrol - The new video from the Greek Navy
Rear Adm. (ret.) Dimitris Koupatsiaris, MS in Electronic and Computer Engineering '00
BNP delegation meets US Assistant Secretary Paul Kapur
Featuring Dr. S. Paul Kapur, professor of national security affairs
Cmdr. Nick Artabazon, MS in Applied Physics ’19, has returned to the Navy Experimental Diving Unit — this time as its 19th commanding officer. NEDU has pushed the boundaries of what humans can do in the sea since 1927, conducting the Navy’s most demanding diving research to advance undersea warfighting capabilities. Read more about the leadership transition and the mission driving the Navy’s work in extreme environments. Read more.
FEMA has named Zeke Maldonado, Executive MBA ’13, as its acting chief information officer, a role responsible for leading the agency’s enterprise information management, information technology and cybersecurity services. Maldonado previously held senior technology leadership roles at the Department of Homeland Security and the Office of Naval Intelligence. Read more about the NPS alumnus now helping shape FEMA’s technology strategy. Read more.
Christina Farrell, Executive Leaders Program, is serving as acting commissioner of the New York City Emergency Management Department following the departure of Commissioner Zach Iscol. Farrell has more than 23 years of experience at NYC Emergency Management and more than three decades in public service. Read more about her new leadership role. Read more.
Dorothy E. Denning, Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Defense Analysis, has been elected to the National Academy of Engineering Class of 2026, one of the highest professional honors in engineering. Denning, a pioneer in cybersecurity and longtime Naval Postgraduate School faculty member, was recognized for her foundational contributions to the field. Read more about the recognition and her lasting impact on information security. Read more.
Jared MacDonald, Postgraduate Certificate in Cyber Defense ’20, serves as cyber test and evaluation lead at the Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division Keyport, where he works on cyber risk assessments, developmental tests and systems security engineering. Read more about his work advancing cybersecurity and mentoring the next generation of engineers. Read more.
Cmdr. Robert Beauchamp, MS in systems engineering analysis ‘08, has assumed command of Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (VX) 20 at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland. The change of command places him at the helm of the Navy squadron responsible for flight testing and evaluating critical aviation capabilities for the fleet. Learn more.
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