Senior commanders from across U.S. Pacific Command convened at the Naval Postgraduate School for a commander’s conference focused on aligning operational priorities and strengthening the partnerships needed to rapidly develop and field capabilities across the Indo-Pacific. The conference connected warfighting challenges with the expertise, technology, investment and partnerships needed to accelerate innovation, address capability gaps and maintain combat-credible deterrence. Learn more.
Following their landmark Artemis II mission, Pilot Victor Glover, MS in Systems Engineering '09, and Commander Reid Wiseman, Certificate of Space Systems '08, are transitioning to emeritus status at NASA. In their new roles, they will continue sharing their experience with the agency’s astronauts, flight controllers and engineers as NASA prepares for future Artemis missions. Glover is committed to transferring his knowledge of Orion and its spacecraft systems, while Wiseman will share his spaceflight experience with colleagues ahead of Artemis III. Read the full story.
The NVIDIA DGX GB300 is operational at NPS, and workloads are running as the first research projects are onboarded. Initial efforts span cyber defense, weather forecasting and prediction, Indo-Pacific priorities, and AI applications for the Fleet and Marine Corps.
Last week, the DGX GB300 supported two hackathons. At the MCU–NPS AI Learning Initiatives Hackathon, five NVIDIA Nemotron open-weight models hosted on the system supported 40 Marines, Sailors, civilians, and industry partners developing prototypes for professional military education, instructor support, objective training assessment and collaborative staff planning. Several projects were tagged for continued development through the USMC Digital Transformation Accelerator.
At the Naval AI Computer Science Hackathon supporting Marine Forces Reserve, three student teams used Nemotron Ultra and other inference models on the GB300 to rapidly develop integrated prototype solutions. Beyond the hackathon, teams are preparing to demonstrate their solutions to Marine Forces Reserve stakeholders, gather additional user feedback, and advance the prototypes toward testing and transition.
The Dell Technologies Tech Tour comes to NPS on Oct. 15 and will include a hackathon using the DGX GB300, Dell GB10 systems, and other AI computing platforms.
The Foundation continues to support the GB300 and the broader NVIDIA partnership, with efforts including Digital Trident II, connecting NPS with the resources, technical expertise, and industry relationships needed to expand use of the system and its impact across NPS.
I can't imagine a more important instrument to put in the hands of the men and women who are in defense of our nation and responsible for our national security. I look forward to our continued partnership and to seeing all of the great things you accomplish with it. – NVIDIA Founder & CEO, Jensen Huang
Watch highlights from the commissioning of the NVIDIA DGX GB300 at NPS.
Students in NPS’ Modeling, Virtual Environments and Simulation program connected multiple constructive and virtual simulations into a shared tactical environment during an Aug. 17 demonstration. Using Distributed Interactive Simulation, augmented reality and the Android Tactical Awareness Kit, the students combined technical skills with operational experience to create solutions grounded in current tactics and military requirements. This fall, they will expand the project across the NPS campus using an experimental 5G network. Learn more.
MS in Computer Science ‘26
Bodeman and her thesis partner developed SPELL, a system that uses artificial intelligence to test computer networks for vulnerabilities before an adversary finds them. Their research also explored whether smaller AI models could run locally, keeping sensitive information on the system and providing an option for ships or deployed units without reliable connectivity.
“Adversaries are getting faster at conducting cyber operations against our systems, so we need a way to continuously test our own networks to find and fix vulnerabilities before they do,” Bodeman said.
The research earned Bodeman the Gary Kildall Award for Computing Innovation and, along with her thesis partner, the Rear Admiral Grace Murray Hopper Computer Science Award.
Read the article | Watch the full video
MS in Electronics Systems Engineering ‘26
Bruns’ research explored how virtual models can help engineers better understand and test military power systems before units rely on them in the field. At NPS, he built a digital twin of a microgrid, a compact power system that provides electricity to specific areas or facilities. He compared the digital model with measurements from a working microgrid to see how closely it reflected the real one.
“A better ability to model and test these systems can help engineers understand how they will perform before relying on them in operational environments,” Bruns said.
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Nine NPS students took their graduate education and research from the classroom into the operational environment during the world’s largest international maritime exercise. Working directly alongside fleet operators and industry partners, the team tested research against real operational challenges while advancing efforts in additive manufacturing and autonomous logistics. Learn more.
U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Steven Nelson, a student in NPS’ Applied Design for Innovation program, was one of four Airmen honored with the 2026 Lance P. Sijan Leadership Award. Nelson received the junior enlisted award for directing global training and deployments and establishing a new Air Force-wide benchmark through his overhaul of the career field’s training standards. Learn more.
Nearly 70 high school, undergraduate and graduate students from across the country shared the results of their summer research during the 2026 NPS STEM Internship Research Showcase. Working alongside 25 NPS faculty mentors, the interns contributed to research spanning engineering, materials science, space systems, physics, computer science, defense analysis, operations research and logistics. Eleven interns also directly supported advanced manufacturing efforts during RIMPAC 2026. Learn more.
Through its Emerging Technology and Innovation Office (ETIO), part of the Office of Research and Innovation (ORI), NPS serves as a bridge between government research and private sector innovation, helping identify pathways for technologies developed by faculty and students to mature into products and services with military and commercial value.
By working closely with the institution’s Partnership Intermediary Agreement (PIA) organizations — including Fleetwerx, the Naval Postgraduate School Foundation and TechLink — NPS connects researchers with entrepreneurs, investors and companies interested in developing new capabilities.
This technology transfer is a critical component of the Department of the Navy innovation ecosystem. It enables federal laboratories and research institutions to collaborate with industry through agreements that allow for the exchange of expertise, testing opportunities and intellectual property. Learn more.
The Naval Postgraduate School has a new high performance AI computing system from NVIDIA
Featuring Capt. Mike Owen, Vice Provost for Warfare Studies and NPS AI Task Force Lead
Why Surface Warfare Officers Should Sail
By Lt. James Pala, USN, Former President and Sailing Instructor, NPS Foundation Sailing Club
Breaking the CJADC2 Code
By Col. Jason Quinter, Lt. Col. Brian Kerg and Maj. Anthony Johnson, USMC
Whole-of-Government Irregular Warfare Requires a Common Language
By Chad T. Machiela, Defense Analysis Research Faculty Associate
Meaning, Myth, and Force Design in U.S. Special Operations
By Siamak Tundra Naficy, Defense Analysis Senior Lecturer
US Joint Effort Tests At-Sea Metal 3D Printing, RIMPAC 2026
Featuring Chris Curran, CAMRE Program Manager
Center’s new military deputy hits the ground running
Featuring Lt. Col. Hassan M. Kamara, USA, MA in Security Studies ’15
Home Economics
By David R. Henderson, Emeritus Professor of Economics
Rebuilding Defense Industrial Base Requires Skilled Labor
Featuring The Hon. Michael Cadenazzi, Assistant Secretary of War for Industrial Base Policy, MS in Electrical Engineering ’00.
The Surface Navy in an AI World: Rethinking the FFX
By James J. Wirtz, Professor of National Security Affairs
Intelligence Without Overreach: Protecting Privacy, Preserving Capability, Ensuring Accountability
By Pete Gagliardi, Ray Guidetti, MA in Security Studies (Homeland Security and Defense) ’06, and Glenn L. Pierce.
Celebrating Aviation Change Maker John Herrington
Featuring John Herrington, master’s degree in Aeronautical Engineering ’95
We Cannot Predict the Future But We Can Prepare For It
By Daniel O’Connor, Homeland Security Advanced Thinking and Experimentation Program (HSx) Founding Scholar ’18
Design Thinking for Family Preparedness
By Angi English, MA in Security Studies ’14
Family Preparedness is a Team Sport: Ideas for Engagement
By Daniel O’Connor, Homeland Security Advanced Thinking and Experimentation Program (HSx) Founding Scholar ’18
Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Eric Wendt, MA in National Security Affairs ’95, has been confirmed by the U.S. Senate to serve as the new U.S. ambassador to Albania. Wendt served more than three decades in the U.S. Army, including as commander of NATO’s Special Operations Command and chief of staff at U.S. Pacific Command. Learn more.
Lt. Gen. Ulhas Kirpekar, MS in Information Warfare Systems Engineering ’07, assumed the appointment of General Officer Commanding, Dakshin Bharat Area, of the Indian Army on Sept. 1. A signals officer commissioned in 1989, Kirpekar has served in command, operational and technology-focused roles spanning communications, intelligence, information systems, tactical communications and military operations. Learn more.
Rear Adm. Abdullah bin Salem Al-Shehri, MS in Human Resource Systems Management ’13, has been appointed commander of the Multinational Maritime Defense Coalition. Al-Shehri will oversee joint maritime defense operations, direct operational planning and coordination among member states and supervise joint missions, activities and exercises. Learn more.
Brig. Gen. Dr. Romuald Maksymiuk, International Defense Resources Management Course, has been appointed head of the Armaments Policy Department at Poland’s Ministry of National Defense. Maksymiuk has been involved in the technical modernization of the Polish Armed Forces for more than 20 years and previously served as deputy head of the Armaments Agency. Learn more.
Capt. William Sumsion, MS in Mechanical Engineering ’08, became the 53rd commander of Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility during an Aug. 14 change of command ceremony. Sumsion most recently filled in as Commander of Industrial Operations at Norfolk Naval Shipyard from his role at Naval Sea Systems Command. Learn more.
Capt. Jeff Schwab, EMBA ’11, took the helm of Naval Air Facility Atsugi during an Aug. 20 change of command ceremony. Most recently the senior military assistant to the assistant secretary of defense for Indo-Pacific security affairs, Schwab described the shared naval base near Tokyo as a model for U.S.-Japan training and integration. Learn more.
Capt. Jeffry Findlay, MBA '19, is no stranger to leadership positions, but as the new commanding officer of Naval Air Station Lemoore, this is his biggest role yet. Findlay is in charge of the Navy’s largest master jet base, supporting approximately 13,500 people and leading 8,800 government personnel. Learn more.
Hung Cao Nominated as Navy Secretary
Navy establishes new defense industrial base office
