This department supports the Navy’s air warfare and weapons needs, fostering the technology development of naval aviation platforms, kinetic weapons, directed energy and electric weapons.
Sea-Based Aviation
ONR leverages the resources of academia, industry and the Navy to address Sea-Based Aviation by making it the fifth National Naval Responsibility (NNR). NNRs exist to highlight areas where the Navy and Marine Corps depend on robust, long-term research that may not be driven otherwise by commercial demand. The designation addresses science and technology (S&T) challenges associated with sea-based aircraft operations. Sea-based aviation NNR will help ensure ONR continues focusing on necessary S&T talent and resources to meet future aviation needs specific to the Navy and Marine Corps.
Enduring Research Responsibilities
This department supports the following research areas:
- Autonomy
- Aerodynamics
- Directed Energy (DE) & Counter DE
- Energetic Materials
- Flight Dynamics & Control
- High-Speed and Hypersonics
- Propulsion
- Structures and Materials
Divisions
-
This division investigates and matures technologies in support of delivering capabilities or improvements to aviation platforms (manned/unmanned) and air-ship operations; and developing other technologies specific to the air domain or aviation regime.
Naval Air Platforms
-
The Kinetic Weapons Division investigates and matures technologies in support of sub-systems applicable to current and/or future kinetic weapons systems.
Kinetic Weapons
-
The Directed Energy Weapons Division investigates and matures technologies related to high-power microwave and lasers for use in defensive applications against a wide variety of threats in multiple domains.
Directed Energy Weapons