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BAA Call N0001424SBC02 Special Program Announcement for Office of Naval Research (ONR) Research Opportunity: Fundamental Research Towards Expeditionary Air Warfare & Weapons

Retired U.S. Navy Capt. Don Walsh, best known for his daring dive to the deepest spot on Earth, nearly 36,000 feet below the ocean’s surface, has died at age 92. Walsh was a co-pilot of the Trieste bathyscaphe, a deep submergence vehicle acquired by the Office of Naval Research (ONR) in 1958. Two years later, on January 23, 1960, Walsh and Swiss engineer Jacques Piccard, son of the inventor of the bathyscaphe, became the first humans to descend into the Challenger Deep, located in the Pacific Ocean’s Mariana Trench. “ONR sponsored the Trieste, but it was then-Lt. Don Walsh who made the very daring decision to make the first descent into the deepest spot of the earth’s ocean. Walsh was a Navy officer, a submariner, an adventurer, and an oceanographer. To his family, we extend our deepest condolences and gratitude for allowing him to explore, and share his extraordinary experiences and knowledge with us,” said Chief of Naval Research Rear Adm. Kurt Rothenhaus.

The Office of Naval Research (ONR) will host an Innovation Industry Day (I2D) on Thursday, May 14, 2026, focused on their Power & Energy portfolio.

Special Notice N0001426SN003 Special Program Announcement for Office of Naval Research (ONR) Research Opportunity: ONR Innovation Industry Day (I2D): Power & Energy

The proposed topic will explore and exploit the lack of underwater propulsion systems that can efficiently work across a wide variety of speeds over long distances. In particular, this effort is interested in a propulsion system able to transition between low and high speeds, to include the ability to stop and re-start at any time. Other desired characteristics will be briefed at the event. The program will pursue technologies and systems that support development and demonstration of a system that can propel an underwater vehicle in the ways listed. Further mission profile details will be provided at the Industry Day.

The Office of Naval Research's Advanced Ground and Amphibious Platforms program researches, develops and exploits science and technologies at the intersection of the mechanical, control and electronic system domains to enhance the maneuverability and mobility of ground and amphibious manned and unmanned platforms.

The Office of Naval Research's Electric Power Components and Systems program supports the Navy’s interest in advanced naval power and energy systems research and technology.

The Office of Naval Research's Expeditionary Energy program seeks breakthrough technologies to support the future of hybrid and expeditionary warfare.

The Office of Naval Research's Operational Endurance from Environmental Carbon program seeks technology development to support sustainable carbon neutral operational energy processes and materials for U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps needs.

The Advanced Naval Platforms Division's Power & Energy Science and Technology program is focused on solving fundamental research problems, applying scientific knowledge, and developing power and energy solutions to Navy and USMC needs.