NPS Students Test Counter-Drone and C2 Solutions at NATO’s Bold Machina Exercise
Representing the Naval Postgraduate School in the Netherlands, students and faculty from two applied research teams joined NATO’s Allied Special Operations Forces Command for Exercise Bold Machina 25 (BOMA). The teams focused on counter-uncrewed aerial systems (C-UAS) and command-and-control interoperability, applying research developed through NPS programs like JIFX.
NPS is helping NATO and U.S. special operations forces counter emerging drone threats, enhance interoperability, and rapidly translate technology into mission-ready capability.
The Naval Postgraduate School celebrated 233 graduates, including 19 international officers, during its Summer Quarter Commencement on Sept. 26.
Commencement speaker Rear Adm. Michael S. Mattis, director of strategic effects for U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Africa and Commander, Task Force 66, emphasized the role of NPS graduates in leading through rapid strategic and technological change.
Mattis also shared how his team called upon NPS for support when Task Force 66 was established in Naples, Italy, to help the U.S. Navy better support Ukraine in the maritime fight in the Black Sea. “We reached out to the Naval Postgraduate School for help, finding willing support from Admiral Rondeau and the entire institution,” Mattis said. He described how that support included embedding NPS liaisons with his team in Naples, linking their capability development with the emerging Naval Innovation Center, and ensuring lessons from the Black Sea Battle Lab were shared across the Navy to inform readiness in Europe and the Pacific. Read more.
Naval Postgraduate School and SEATREC have signed a new Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) to advance persistent ocean acoustic monitoring and renewable-powered autonomous systems. The first phase of PSAP development with Seatrec marked a breakthrough in collecting real-time acoustic data for extended periods in remote areas without the cost and logistical burden of ship support. Retired US Navy Cmdr. John Joseph, faculty associate for research in the NPS Department of Oceanography and principal investigator on the project, said the next stage of cooperative research will focus on refining the platform’s advanced capabilities to meet the operational needs of the fleet. Read more.
NPS Students, Researchers and Partners Operationalize Advanced Manufacturing at Trident Warrior 25
At the Navy’s Trident Warrior 25 exercise in San Diego, NPS students and faculty worked alongside the Marine Innovation Unit and FleetWerx to demonstrate how advanced manufacturing can solve fleet challenges at the point of need. Through the Consortium for Advanced Manufacturing Research and Education (CAMRE), teams produced components for Navy ships, trained service members, and tested designs both on-site and from NPS’ lab in Monterey. The NPS-led team fulfilled more than 180 part requests during the two-week exercise, connecting research on campus to operational impact. Read more.
Drone Warfare Innovation and Industrial Mobilization Explored During Ukraine-focused Fireside Chat
The NPS Foundation & Alumni Association hosted an Innovation Fireside Chat with the , moderated by Ben Connable, PhD, examining battlefield innovation and industrial mobilization in Ukraine. The discussion highlighted urgent lessons on drone warfare, adaptability under constraint, and the importance of rapid innovation to maintain a competitive edge.
Beyond the Lab: How DARPA’s New Accelerator Network Is Fueling America’s Tech Dominance
The NPS Foundation was highlighted as a key partner in DARPA’s new Commercial Accelerator Network, supporting collaboration between defense innovators and academic institutions. Through its connection with SRI International and Silicon Valley’s innovation ecosystem, NPS Foundation contributes research expertise and dual-use technology development support that strengthens U.S. leadership in critical emerging technologies. This partnership underscores the expanding role in bridging defense research with real-world applications that enhance national security and economic resilience. Read more.
NPS Foundation Senior Vice President to Speak at NVIDIA GTC DC
NPS Foundation Senior Vice President Todd Lyons will join NVIDIA’s Charlie Boyle as a speaker at the GPU Technology Conference in Washington, D.C. Their session, “Tackling Large-Scale AI Modeling, Simulation, and Operational Challenges With Unprecedented Speed,” will highlight how the Naval Postgraduate School and NVIDIA are partnering to advance the use of artificial intelligence for national defense applications.
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.
Capt. Christopher Clark on rapid AI adoption across commands
Interview with Capt. Christopher Clark, MS in Computer Science ‘23
The Big Little Ships that MUSVs Should Emulate
By Capt. Karl Flynn, MS in Applied Physics ‘24
By Dr. Shelley Gallup, MS in Systems Technology (Space Systems Operations) ‘86 and Research Associate Professor – Information Sciences Dept., and Ben DiDonato, Volunteer Systems Engineer at NPS
Technical Interoperability in Contested Environments is a Must
By Nicholas A. Kristof, MS in Leadership and Human Resources Development ‘02
The Path to a Bigger Submarine Fleet Includes Diesels
By Lt. Cmdr. Jordan A. Spector, MS in Engineering Acoustics ‘21
The Submarine Force Needs More Flexible Training Tools
By Andrew Pfau, MS in Computer Science ’20, and Bridger Smith, MS in Cyber Systems and Operations ‘22
Risk Makes Deterrence Effective
By Professor James Wirtz, National Security Affairs Dept.
Flood the Zone: III Marine Expeditionary Force’s Mobility Mandate
By Brandan R. Schofield, dual MBA and MS in IT Management ’19, and Andrew C. Edwards
With Iran under pressure, fears grow of new Israeli strikes
Quoted – Dr. Afshon Ostovar, Associate Professor, Associate Chair for Research, National Security Affairs Dept.
Decoding the Russo-Iranian Partnership [WOTR Member Only content]
With Dr. Afshon Ostovar, Associate Professor, Associate Chair for Research, National Security Affairs Dept.
A Commercial Paradigm for Submarine Rescue
By retired Cmdr. Gregory B. Cotton, Naval Nuclear Power School ‘17, and retired Capt. Gard Clark, MS in Computer Science ‘91
To Win the Fight, We Must First Win the Mind: Create NDP-1.1 Naval Warfighting
By Paul Nickell, PMBA ’24, graduate certificates in Defense Management Foundations ’24, Leadership for Public Administrators ’24, and Strategic Leadership ‘22
Global institutions are choosing energy poverty over fossil fuels
With Dr. Brenda Shaffer, Faculty Associate – Research, Energy Academic Group
By Nitin Natarajan, MA in Security Studies (Homeland Security and Defense) ‘07
The Next Evolution for the Intrusion Kill Chain Prevention Strategy
By Rick Howard, MS in Computer Science ‘90
Why MASGA Matters for the ROK–U.S. Alliance
By Jihoon Yu, MA in National Security Studies ‘07
Building Tactical Excellence: How SWCTC Supports LT Breen’s Call for Higher SWO Proficiency
By LCDR Jeffrey Bolstad, MA in Security Studies (Homeland Security and Defense) ’16, and LT Matthew Bain, MS in Operations Research (Logistics Analysis) ’05
World Bank Reduces Emissions, Not Poverty
By Prof. Brenda Shaffer, Faculty Associate - Research, Energy Academic Group
The Super Spartans Will Win the Peace
By Jonathan Lipow, Professor, Department of Defense Management
The U.S. Senate has confirmed retired Captain Hung Cao, MS in Applied Physics '08, as Under Secretary of the U.S. Navy. Cao, a retired explosive ordnance disposal and diving officer, becomes the second-most senior civilian official in the Department of the Navy, serving as the Secretary of the Navy's principal deputy and chief operating officer, responsible for managing resources, programs and day-to-day operations across the Navy and Marine Corps. More.
U.S. Navy Adm. Frank “Mitch” Bradley, MS in Physics ’06, assumed command of U.S. Special Operations Command from U.S. Army Gen. Bryan P. Fenton during a ceremony held Oct. 3 in Tampa. Bradley, who previously served as the commander of the Joint Special Operations Command, now leads an organization of 70,000 personnel who enable special operations in more than 80 countries around the world. More.
Michael Cadenazzi, MS in Electrical Engineering ‘00, was confirmed Sept. 18 by the U.S. Senate as assistant secretary of defense for industrial base policy. Cadenazzi brings more than 25 years of experience in aerospace, defense, and government, including as managing director for EY Americas’ Aerospace & Defense consulting. A Navy veteran, he served a decade as a cryptologic officer in Asia and Europe. He has launched startups in AI, analytics, and technical services. More.
Vice Adm. Curt Renshaw, MS in Operations Research '97, assumed command of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/U.S. 5th Fleet and Combined Maritime Forces from Vice Adm. George Wikoff on Oct. 5 in a ceremony at U.S. Naval Support Activity Bahrain. Renshaw has served more than three decades and has deployed to all Navy theaters of operation worldwide. More.
Combined Forces Command welcomed its 32nd deputy commander, Gen. Kim Sung-min, MA in National Security Affairs ’03, during a ceremony at U.S. Army Garrison Humphreys in Pyeongtaek on Sept. 11, 2025. Kim, a graduate of the Korea Military Academy’s 48th class in 1992, is widely regarded as a leader with deep expertise in operations and strategy and extensive joint experience. He has previously served as commander of the 5th Corps, director general for policy planning at the Ministry of National Defense, head of the ROK Joint Chiefs of Staff task force on operational control transition, deputy director for strategic planning at the JCS, and chief of staff of the 3rd Corps. More.
Capt. Micah Sybor, MS in Mechanical Engineering ’09, relieved Cmdr. Jordan Stutzman as commanding officer of the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS McCampbell (DDG 85) during a change of command ceremony at Commander, Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Sept. 12. More.
Dr. Matt Napoli, MS in Mechanical Engineering ‘07, was confirmed by the U.S. Senate as deputy administrator for defense nuclear nonproliferation for the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA). In this position, Napoli will set strategic direction for the administration’s multifaceted efforts to prevent proliferation, reduce the global threat of nuclear and radiological terrorism, and support arms control monitoring and verification. More.
Tadd O’Gorman, MBA in Finance ‘04, has stepped into the position of Deputy Director of Operations for the Navy Budget Office, where he now helps oversee the formulation, justification, and execution of nearly $120 billion in annual Navy and Marine Corps funding. More.
Dr. Seth G. Jones has been named director of the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) International Security Program and a senior vice president. Since joining CSIS in 2018, Dr. Jones has served as Harold Brown Chair and director of the Transnational Threats Project, titles he will continue to hold. He also was a senior adviser with the International Security Program. In addition to his position at CSIS, Dr. Jones teaches at Johns Hopkins University’s School of Advanced International Studies and the Center for Homeland Defense and Security at the Naval Postgraduate School. More.
Korean-owned Hanwha has hired retired U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Tom Anderson, MS in Mechanical Engineering '99, as the president of U.S. shipbuilding at Hanwha Defense USA. Anderson retired from the Navy in June after a career that culminated as the program executive officer for ships at Naval Sea Systems Command. In his new role, Anderson will be responsible for the execution of Hanwha’s U.S. shipbuilding programs and shipyard operations, including developing the company’s strategy for future shipbuilding programs and building the company’s shipbuilding infrastructure and associated workforce to accommodate future growth. More.
Rear Adm. John V. Menoni, USN (Ret.), Certificate in Systems Analysis ‘13, has been named senior vice president of Branch Operations at Navy Federal Credit Union. Menoni retired from the U.S. Navy in August 2025 after more than three decades of service. Most recently, he served as Director of the Programming Division (OPNAV N80) on the staff of the Chief of Naval Operations. More.
Applied Energetics Inc. appointed retired Brig. Gen. Samuel "Luke" Peterson, MS in Systems Acquisition Management ‘03, to its advisory board. Peterson served nearly 35 years in the U.S. military, most recently as Program Executive Officer for Combat Support & Combat Service Support. More.
Governor Greg Abbott appointed retired Vice Adm. Timothy James “TJ” White, MS in Systems Technology ‘93, as Chief of the Texas Cyber Command for a term set to expire February 1, 2027. White retired after 37 years of service. During his time in the Navy, he served as the Commander, United States Fleet Cyber Command/United States TENTH Fleet/United States Navy Space Command and previously as the Commander, United States Cyber National Mission Force/USCYBERCOM. He is the former Director of Intelligence for United States Indo-Pacific Command. He currently also serves as a Professor of Practice at the Naval Postgraduate School. More.
The Board of Directors of NAMI Chicago announced the appointment of Matthew Davison, MA in Security Studies ‘23, as the organization’s next Chief Executive Officer. Davison is a nationally recognized advocate and attorney who has dedicated his career to advancing mental health law and policy. More.
The Davenport City Council in Davenport, Iowa, has appointed Tim Gleason, CHDS Executive Leaders Program, as interim city administrator, beginning Nov. 3. He has over 15 years of experience in state and local government executive roles and 21 years in law enforcement. More.
SECNAV consolidating Navy policy, foreign affairs staff into new role
Op-Ed: Getting better tech faster: The benefits of new technology legislation
China Goes on Offense: Beijing’s Plans to Exploit American Retreat
Senate passes $914B defense policy bill after resolving gridlock on amendments
How AI-driven decision-making is shaping Army modernization
Army Secretary teases significant shakeup, ‘streamlining’ of Army acquisition offices
China’s burgeoning undersea sensor net aims to turn the ocean transparent
‘Sovereign AI’ Has Become a New Front in the US-China Tech War
