NAVY WARFARE DEVELOPMENT CENTER
HISTORY (1998 – CURRENT)
Navy Warfare Development Center is a dynamic organization whose mission develops and integrates innovative solutions to complex naval warfare challenges to enhance current and future warfighting capabilities. Our vision: “We will be a leader in the rapid development of naval warfighting capabilities.”
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Navy Warfare Development Center takes its origins from Naval Doctrine Command which was established to develop and distribute Navy doctrine. The organization was re-envisioned in 1998 and combined with Navy Tactical Support Activity, Washington DC; and Maritime Battle Center, Newport RI to form Navy Warfare Development Command (NWDC). NWDC was established in Newport RI, alongside the Naval War College, to develop synergy between the intellectual capital of the War College and the fleet-focused, innovative-thinking of NWDC.
In 2001, to refocus its mission on meeting more immediate fleet needs, NWDC shifted reporting responsibilities from the Naval War College to Commander U.S. Fleet Forces Command (USFFC). From 2002-2003, NWDC’s mission expanded to include development of the Navy Continuous Training Environment (NCTE); provide analytical and modeling skills developed in the Fleet Battle Experiment Program; coordinate concepts of operations (CONOPS) development throughout the Navy; and develop and manage the Navy’s Lessons Learned program.
In June 2010, NWDC relocated to Naval Station Norfolk, with a new facility that included the Navy Center for Advanced Modeling and Simulation (NCAMS), a 10,000 square foot state-of-the-art modeling and simulation facility which supports the NCTE, experimentation, concept generation/development, various training events (MAKO, KEEN EDGE, AUSTERE CHALLENGE, etc.), and Large-Scale Exercises (LSEs).
In 2012, NWDC absorbed both the concepts and experimentation divisions of USFFC, including the responsibility for executing the Fleet Experimentation (FLEX) program, while also establishing the CNO’s Rapid Innovation Cell.
In 2014, NWDC assumed responsibility as the integrator for the Warfighting Development Centers (WDC), providing opportunities for fleet leaders to collaborate, strengthen cross-domain warfighting capabilities, and discuss approaches to increase warfighting advantages over competitors/adversaries.
In 2017, NWDC developed a new wargame series, Fleet 360, focused on preparing Fleet commanders and their staffs for maritime conflict, as well as developed the Navy’s concepts for Distributed Maritime Operations (DMO).
In 2018, NWDC was assigned as the authority for the Fleet Battle Problem (FBP) Campaign to validate the DMO concept.
In 2019, NWDC assumed leadership of the Operational Level Training and Exercise Program (OLTEP) to provide Fleet Commanders and Maritime Operations Centers (MOCs) with advanced operational-level training and exercises leading to MOC certification and operational readiness.
In 2022, NWDC transitioned from a Flag-led command to a Senior Executive Service (SES) civilian-led center. NWDC’s name was officially changed to Navy Warfare Development Center. This year also brought in the Navy MOC Training Team (MOC TT), which shifted from USFFC to NWDC N7 directorate to implement Phase II of OLTEP. NWDC planned and executed the FY22 USFF/CPF/CNE-CNA Fleet Experimentation (FLEX) execution plan, which conducted 37 individual experiment initiatives. In CY22, NWDC conducted five CSG-360, one ESG-360, and two Fleet-360 war games.
In 2023, NWDC conducted three CSG-360, one ESG-360, and one Fleet-360 war games. NWDC hosted the Large Scale Exercise 2023 (LSE 23), which is a USFF/CPF/CNE-CNA sponsored exercise supporting the CNO Navigation Plan by operationalizing advanced warfighting concepts. LSE utilizes Live, Virtual, and Constructive (LVC) assets and environments to further develop the concept of DMO and the supporting concepts of Littoral Operations in a contested environment (LOCE)/Expeditionary Advanced Base Operations (EABO).