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Accelerating AI at NPS

Operationalizing AI for National Security
at the Naval Postgraduate School

NPS is building the nation's premier environment for operational AI by combining advanced education, applied research, industry partnerships and world-class computing infrastructure to accelerate solutions for the Department of the Navy and Joint Force.

NVIDIA AI Supercomputer Comes Online at Naval Postgraduate School

NVIDIA founder and CEO Jensen Huang visited the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California, to commission an NVIDIA DGX GB300 system — bringing one of the world’s most powerful AI platforms fully online for the students, researchers and faculty at the U.S. military’s flagship graduate university.

“Our nation depends on our men and women who fight on the front lines. Nothing is more valuable to you than information and insight, and information and insight in a timely way, and to understand its impact and consequence. I can’t imagine anything more important.” – Jensen Huang

The NVIDIA DGX GB300 Al Supercomputer enables research and analysis that was not possible before. With massive processing power and next-generation networking, it permits advanced research into cyber, weather forecasting, sensor fusion, and logistics at scales and speeds previously unavailable at NPS.

NVIDIA donated the DGX GB300 to the Naval Postgraduate School Foundation, which installed it at NPS along with funding for research projects that require its high compute and memory capacity. Teams from Vertiv, DDN, VAST Data made contributions of infrastructure, storage and technical expertise which helped accelerate deployment of the capability.

The NPS AI Task Force is building a unified effort to accelerate the Navy and Marine Corps’ ability to understand, adopt, and operationalize artificial intelligence. It integrates advanced education, applied research, secure infrastructure, and prototyping to deliver AI-ready service members and mission-aligned capabilities.

The AI Task Force focuses on five lines of effort:

Build an AI-Ready Naval Workforce Provide Secure and Scalable AI Infrastructure
Accelerate Applied AI
Research and Prototyping for Mission Impact
Drive Collaborative AI Efforts Across Naval Stakeholders
Support Combatant Command and Naval Service Priorities

By connecting research, education and operational application, the AI Task Force ensures that NPS delivers AI solutions that are relevant, secure, and ready to enhance operational effectiveness. Learn more about NPS' AI Task Force.
The NVIDIA AI Tech Center

Established through a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) between NVIDIA and the Naval Postgraduate School, the NVIDIA AI Tech Center provides students and faculty with access to advanced AI technologies, technical expertise and industry collaboration that accelerate education, applied research and operational innovation for the Department of the Navy and Joint Force.

Since its launch the NVIDIA AI Technology Center has continued to expand its capabilities through collaboration with NVIDIA, Dell Technologies, Sterling Federal and the Naval Postgraduate School Foundation. The Center includes NVIDIA AI Enterprise software, the NVIDIA Omniverse platform for digital twins and simulation, and the NVIDIA DGX GB300 AI supercomputer, creating an integrated environment for AI development, modeling and simulation, and large-scale AI computing.

NPS Foundation Role

The Naval Postgraduate School Foundation accelerates artificial intelligence capabilities at NPS by securing the partnerships, resources and investments that expand education, research and operational innovation. Working alongside the Naval Postgraduate School, the Department of the Navy and industry leaders, the Foundation brings together technology, funding and expertise to rapidly deliver capabilities that support national security.The Foundation's contributions to advancing AI at NPS include:

Foundational committment (now exceeded) of $2 million to accelerate AI initiatives at NPS through investments in infrastructure, research, talent and strategic partnerships.

Received NVIDIA's donation of the DGX GB300 AI supercomputer to the Foundation and facilitated its transfer to NPS for mission use.

Funded facility improvements and deployment required to install and commission the DGX GB300 system.

Secured gifts of service for a dedicated Installation Project Manager to oversee deployment of the DGX GB300 and a System Administrator to provide ongoing operational support for the system.

Funded the initial AI research projects that leverage the NVIDIA AI Tech Center through the Digital Trident AI Challenge.

Convenes industry, government and academic partners through strategic partnerships, events and collaborative initiatives that accelerate innovation and technology transition.

Operating as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, under a Partnership Intermediary Agreement (PIA) with NPS and Memorandums of Understanding (MOU) with both NPS and the Department of the Navy, the Foundation provides the framework that enables private-sector investment in technologies, expertise and capabilities that advance naval education, research and mission impact.
Digital Trident AI Challenge
The Digital Trident AI Challenge accelerates faculty-student teams developing applied AI solutions for real operational problems. Projects are selected through a competitive process and receive Foundation funding together with access to NVIDIA computing resources, technical expertise and industry collaboration.

The projects selected through the first Digital Trident AI Challenge include:

BOMA NIX: AI-Enhanced Passive Sensing and Interoperable C2 for Maritime Operations (PI: Prof. Kevin Smith)

Develops interoperable sensing and C2 architectures for multinational maritime missions.Advances NATO and DOD maritime integration through physical AI experimentation.

Advances NATO and DOD maritime integration through physical AI experimentation.

AI-Driven Seeker Autonomy and Omniverse-Integrated Digital Twin for Low-Cost Missile Development
(PI: Maj. Dillon Pierce)

Accelerates design and testing of autonomous weapons systems using digital twin modeling.

Supports affordable, scalable missile architectures aligned with operational needs.

Towards Ultra Long Endurance Flight Around the World (PI: Prof. Mark Karpenko)

Improves endurance, adaptability, and autonomy of UAVs for operations in remote or denied areas.

Enables new mission planning and platform development for long-range, persistent flight.

Terahertz Imaging Camera for Upper Atmosphere Surveillance (PI: Prof. Fabio Durante Pereira Alves)

Validates compact THz imaging sensors for potential space-based surveillance missions.

Defines pathways for onboard AI processing and future edge-enabled ISR applications.

Operational Application of AI for Automatic High Energy Laser (HEL) Beam Control (PI: Prof. Brij Agrawal)

Develops AI-enhanced targeting systems to improve accuracy and responsiveness of HEL platforms.

Strengthens Navy capability to defend against drone swarms and other fast-emerging threats.

Small Scale AI for Aviation Maintenance (PI: Harrison Schramm)

Designs AI-powered maintenance tools that operate without cloud or network dependency.

Enhances real-time fault detection and repair to increase mission readiness in austere conditions.

Operationalizing AI with Microgrid Digital Twins for Energy Security (PI: Prof. Doug Van Bossuyt)

Creates digital twins to simulate and manage energy infrastructure across naval installations.

Improves mission assurance and operational resilience in contested and distributed environments.

Assuring Deterrence

By equipping warfighters with cutting-edge capabilities and operational insight, the NIC at NPS strengthens our ability to prevent and respond to threats—ensuring credible, forward-looking deterrence in contested environments

EnhancING Lethality

The NIC at NPS delivers mission-ready solutions and a tech-enabled DOD workforce that enhances the lethality of the joint forces and provides a decisive edge in future conflicts​

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