The Office of Naval Research (ONR), headquartered in Arlington, Virginia (Ballston), is the office within the United States Department of the Navy that coordinates, executes, and promotes the science and technology programs of the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps through schools, universities, government laboratories, nonprofit and for-profit organizations.
Virtual training for aircraft carrier flight deck crews
One of the most dangerous environments in the United States Navy is the deck of an aircraft carrier. Catapult systems that can remove limbs, furious engines, whipping propellers and high winds create a hectic environment.
Freeze fighter: Warmer wetsuit will increase Navy dive time
Diving in icy water is extremely dangerous to humans. Within seconds, arteries tighten, blood pressure and heart rate race, and lungs gasp for air. After only minutes, hyperventilation strikes and arms and legs go numb—signaling ...
Building the future, one RoboBoat at a time
Last week, teams of students from 13 schools—representing six countries—tested their engineering skills by developing autonomous boats during the 11th annual International RoboBoat Competition, held June 18-24 in Daytona ...
Repellent research: Navy developing ship coatings to reduce fuel, energy costs
It can repel water, oil, alcohol and even peanut butter. And it might save the U.S. Navy millions of dollars in ship fuel costs, reduce the amount of energy that vessels consume and improve operational efficiency.
Deep breath: New 'rebreather' helps navy divers beneath the waves
The muscular U.S. Navy diver hoisted a 60-pound life-support regulator onto his back, then donned a 30-pound metal helmet.
Defining the danger zone: New mapping software makes live-fire training safer
To better protect warfighters during live-fire training, the Office of Naval Research's (ONR) TechSolutions program has sponsored the development of a new Google Maps-style software tool to map out training areas in great ...
Underwater defense: New ways to protect divers in the deep
Special Operations divers like Navy SEALs take on life-threatening risks such as enemy combatants and harsh environments. But another hazard is silent and unseen—oxygen toxicity, the result of breathing lethal levels of ...
Fitbit-style prosthetics? Navy developing 'smart' artificial limbs
Traditional leg prosthetics enable amputees to maintain mobility and lead more active lives. But these prosthetics depend on soft limb tissue to function and can be painful to wear, resulting in awkward walking motion and ...
Powerful prediction: Finding a better way to forecast hurricane strength
As Hurricane Irma approaches U.S. shores, researchers sponsored by the Office of Naval Research (ONR) are using air-dropped autonomous sensors to compile real-time ocean observations to help forecasters predict the strength ...
A new way to find pilots for US Navy unmanned aircraft
Before acceptance to flight school, aspiring naval pilots must pass the Aviation Selection Test Battery (ASTB)—a rigorous intellectual exercise that evaluates things like aviation and nautical knowledge, math and engineering ...