DOD Awards $1.1 Billion Contract To UT-Austin’s Applied Research Laboratories

AUSTIN, TX — The U.S. Navy has awarded Applied Research Laboratories at the University of Texas at Austin a 10-year $1.1 billion contract to conduct research and development to improve national security — the largest research contract in the school's history.

Applied Research Laboratories is one of five Department of Defense University Affiliated Research Centers, which are laboratories with long-term strategic relationships with the defense agency and are thus considered trusted agents. These affiliated research centers provide essential research capabilities, develop new technology for national security applications and provide technical advice to DOD program managers.

“The research performed and advancements made at The University of Texas at Austin are unparalleled,” Gov. Greg Abbott said in a prepared statement. “I am proud of the work that is already underway at Applied Research Laboratories at UT, and I am looking forward to their continued contributions to our national security. I’d like to thank the Department of Defense for their investment in UT, its students, faculty and all those involved in this growing partnership.”

UT-Austin President Gregory L. Fenves described the national security implications inherent to the new contract: “Under this new agreement, UT scientists and engineers will expand their vital role developing research that advances science and promotes national security,”Fenves said. “This contract demonstrates the massive impact UT research has on the world through the breadth and depth of our programs in engineering, technology, high-performance computing and applied science.”

Founded in 1945, Applied Research Laboratories has made significant contributions to the present state of knowledge in its basic core mission areas, university officials said. The lab has been a key developer of sonar equipment and processing techniques for the U.S. Navy, has led research on GPS and satellite navigation technologies since the inception of these technologies, and is on the forefront of the information sciences with research in areas such as cybersecurity, content understanding and quantum computing, according to officials.

“Throughout its history, ARL:UT has been a leader in developing science and technology to enhance national security,” said Clark Penrod, the lab's executive director for the past 18 years. “Many operational systems and capabilities developed and prototyped at our laboratories have made a difference in protecting the nation and improving lives."

Penrod expressed a bit of personal pride in helping DOD achieve its national security aims: "I am also proud of our role helping the Department of Defense make well-founded decisions about adopting new technologies. Both roles will be increasingly important as our nation’s adversaries become more technologically advanced, and as our DOD sponsors strive to become more efficient and cost effective.”

ARL:UT’s total funding for the past 10 years was approximately $887 million, all from federally funded research. The contract will be administered by the Naval Sea Systems Command, which engineers, builds, buys and maintains the Navy's ships and submarines and their combat systems.

Examples of the types of programs that the contract will fund include:

• The development of high-resolution sonar devices to enable manned and unmanned submersible platforms to navigate safely, avoiding obstacles and sea mines.
• Improved high-resolution hand-held sonar devices that allow divers to detect objects and more safely perform hull inspections.
• Improved signal processing, sensor technologies and decision support for tracking submarines and other underwater vehicles.
• Rugged instruments to survey the environment in the ocean and atmosphere and to detect threats.
• Improved technology for satellite navigation and GPS.
• Studies in artificial intelligence technology supporting national security such as investigation of trends to predict terrorist and cyber attacks.
• Improved technology for the detection of advanced cybersecurity threats.
• Technology to aid in the review, redaction and release of sensitive documents.
• Advanced algorithms for laser altimetry in support of scientific and national security applications.

Applied Research Laboratories reports to the Office of the Vice President for Research, and is the largest non-medical research unit within the University of Texas System. The site provides more than 4,000 students with valuable work experience over its history, helping to encourage and shape the students’ careers in science and engineering, university officials noted.

Applied Research Laboratories also was one of the first high-tech employers in Austin, and several Applied Research Laboratories staff members went on to form other high-tech Austin companies such as Tracor and National Instruments, officials said. The lab employs about 400 scientists and engineers, a staff of nearly 750 and has 100 students working year-round.

The lab's outdoor test tank is built to Naval shipyard specifications, officials said. The tank is one of Applied Research Laboratories' many specialized facilities that provide engineering, integration, testing, and prototyping for research projects.

>>> Image: Applied Research Laboratories outdoor test tank built to Naval shipyard specifications. The tank is one of ARL:UT’s many specialized facilities that provide engineering, integration, testing, and prototyping for research projects. Photo courtesy of The University of Texas at Austin.