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Command Overview

The Information Technology (IT) and electronic systems engineering, operations and support capabilities that NIWC Atlantic provides has a long history in the Continental United States (CONUS) regions.

Our organization’s history dates back more than 45 years with connections to some of the Navy’s first electronic systems and information technology activities along the East Coast. Over time, our mission, name, and locations – to include expanding to locations Outside the Continental United States (OCONUS) – have changed in order to keep up with ever-changing technologies, budgeting constraints of the Department of Defense (DoD) and needs of the warfighter.

In February 2019, the NIWC Atlantic name was applied – changing our organization from a systems center classification [formerly known as Space and Naval Warfare (SPAWAR) Systems Center Atlantic (SSC Atlantic) to an information warfare center. This change represents the expansion and increased focus on cyber for not only our organization but also the Department of the Navy (DON).

NIWC Atlantic Logo
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Watch the NIWC Atlantic Vision Video

Naval Information Warfare Center Atlantic

MISSION

Conduct research, development, prototyping, engineering, test and evaluation, installation, and sustainment of integrated information warfare capabilities and services across all warfighting domains with an emphasis on Expeditionary Tactical Capabilities & Enterprise IT and Business Systems in order to drive innovation and warfighter information advantage.

VISION

WIN THE INFORMATION WAR.

Advancing Technology for Today & Tomorrow's Warfighter

We are home to the DOD’s top scientists, engineers, and technicians in the information warfare battlespace. We are forward-based, forward-deployed and globally positioned with America’s warfighters.
We are where America’s naval forces are.

Unique Facilities

  • C4I Shipboard Integration Facility
  • Common Submarine Radio Room production and testing
  • National Cyber Range Complex Charleston
  • Electromagnetic Environmental Effects (E3) Radio Frequency (RF) Test Facilities
  • Environmental Test Labs
  • Electromagnetic Interference / Compatibility (EMI/EMC) Anechoic Chambers
  • National Security Operations Center
  • 5G Comms and Outdoor Optical Range
  • Cyber Forensics and Cyber Computer Network Defense Labs
  • DOD Component Enterprise Data Centers and SATCOM Gateways
  • Small Autonomous Unmanned Systems Range
  • Strategic Artificial Intelligence Lab (SAIL)
  • Vehicle C4I systems integration, testing and production facility
  • Expeditionary Systems Integration and Innovation Center Bay
  • Global Distance Support Desk
  • Software Defined Radio & RF Testing
  • Air Traffic Control Facility

Unique Capabilities

  • Navy Afloat Networks CANES, ADNS, ISNS, CENTRIXS and CES
  • IA and Navy Cybersecurity protection of DOD IT & telecom systems
  • Navy Afloat Transport & Navigation interoperable communications
  • Battlespace Awareness ISR/IO CB-ISEA services
  • C2 and Afloat Applications targeting support, chemical-biological warnings and logistics
  • Design, engr. and integrate C4ISR capabilities into tactical military vehicle platforms
  • Equip Marines with mobile C3 facilities, devices and services and USMC Installations Command Electronic Security Systems
  • NAVWAR Red Team (NSA, USCYBERCOM and DOD Cyber Red Team Accredited)
  • IT solutions for satellites, command & op centers, Naval air traffic control, military fuel systems, force protection and military health IT systems.
  • TEMPEST Accreditation Team
  • Navy Qualified Validator (NQV) Team

A World Class Workforce Supporting the Fleet and the Warfighter Around the Globe.

Locations

Charleston, SC

Arial photo of NIWC Atlantic

The largest of our locations with 1.3 million sq ft and nearly 80 facilities, Charleston is home to the majority of our workforce (3,055 government/19 military).  The majority of Charleston facilities are located in the south annex of the Naval Weapons Station – Joint Base Charleston (JBC), where NIWC Atlantic is a tenant. Additional facilities include the former Naval Shipyard of North Charleston and surrounding area.

Charleston is home to:

  • Air Traffic Control (ATC) tower
  • Vehicle Command, Control, Communications and Computers (C4I) Integration Facility
  • One of the DoD Component Enterprise Data Centers
  • Poseidon Park Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) Testing site
  • Satellite Communications, Software Defined Radio and Radio Frequency (RF) Testing
  • Cyber Forensics and Data Recovery Labs
  • Surface Test and Integration Facility, and the
  • Electromagnetic and Environmental test labs & Anechoic Chamber

Hampton Roads, VA

Arial Photo of the Hampton Roads Area

The next largest concentration of the NIWC Atlantic workforce (818 government/87 military) is in Hampton Roads. Personnel and facilities in that area are spread among three distinct locations: Naval Station Norfolk (aka NOB), St. Julien’s Creek (aka St. J’s), and Little Creek.

Hampton Roads is our “face to the Fleet” and, therefore, has the largest concentration of active duty military personnel assigned to NIWC Atlantic. Personnel are co-located with the Fleet Forces Command and Naval Information Forces and concentrate on fleet operations and support as well as communication systems integration and maintenance.


Hampton Roads is home to:

  • Navigation systems
  • Navy Tactical Command Support System
  • Integrated undersea surveillance system
  • United States Marine Corps (USMC) Information Technology (IT) strategic sourcing
  • Fleet installations and upgrades, Consolidated Afloat Networks and Enterprise Services (CANES) / Naval Tactical Command Support System (NTCSS)

New Orleans, LA

Arial Photo of the University of New Orleans Area

New Orleans is our third largest concentration of the NIWC Atlantic workforce (293 government/3 military), and they are located on the campus of University of New Orleans.  Also known as NOLA, they are the center of DON Manpower and Personnel software design and support as well as DON Global Distance Support (Help Desk). 

NOLA is also home to:

  • One of three DoD Component Enterprise data centers
  • Veterans Benefits Management IT systems, web portal and software development
  • Logistics and IT support
  • Global Combat Support System Marine Corps (GCSS MC) service desk
  • Defense Health

Washington, DC

Arial photo of the Washington Navy Yard

Personnel in the National Capital Region (NCR) work on the Washington Navy Yard (WNY) and are primarily located in building 220.  The 187 government personnel provide support to Fleet Cyber Command (FLTCYBERCOM), Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) & Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) Platform C4I/Cyber, Integrated Electronic Security Systems (IESS) for Secret Service protected facilities, Marine Forces Cyber Command (MARFORCYBER), Marine Corps Systems Command (MARCORSYSCOM), USMC Network Ops and Security Center, Anti-Terrorism/Force Protection.

Many of the personnel at this location spend a significant amount of time working closely with our customers in the customer facilities.

Other CONUS/OCONUS Locations

In addition to the CONUS locations above, NIWC Atlantic personnel are distributed across the following locations:

CONUS

  • Tampa, FL
  • Fayetteville, NC
  • Pax River, MD
  • Kings Bay, GA
  • Mayport, FL
  • Groton, CT
  • Quantico, VA

OCONUS

  • Stuttgart, Germany
  • Naples, Italy
  • Rota, Spain
  • Manama, Bahrain

Personnel at these locations support:

  • Expeditionary and United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) C4I systems
  • United States Central Command (USCENTCOM)
  • United States European Command (USEUCOM)
  • United States Africa Command (USAFRICOM)
  • Military Construction (MILCON) C4I support
  • Ballistic Missile Defense/Aegis Ashore

Timeline & History

Command History Chart

2021 – Captain Nicole K. Nigro assumed command of NIWC Atlantic Nov. 4.

2019 – Space and Naval Warfare (SPAWAR) Systems Center officially changed its name to Naval Information Warfare Center (NIWC) on Feb. 18.

2018 – Captain Wesley S. Sanders assumed command of SSC Atlantic Oct. 18.

2015 – Captain Scott D. Heller assumed command of SSC Atlantic July 31.

2013 – Captain Amy D. Burin assumed command of SSC Atlantic Aug. 8.

2012 – SSC Atlantic unveiled a new data center in October, which plays a key role in consolidating more than 100 Navy data centers to increase effectiveness and efficiency and reduce costs while still meeting the Navy’s security and operational requirements.

2011 – Captain (Sel) Mark Glover assumed command of SSC Atlantic July 28. Glover was officially promoted to the rank of Navy captain Sept. 1.

2008 – SSC Atlantic was commissioned Sept. 29 during ceremonies in Charleston, Norfolk, and New Orleans. Under the command of Captain Bruce Urbon, SSC Atlantic united the former SSC Charleston, SSC Norfolk, and SSC New Orleans sites, along with several others in the Continental United States and strategic satellite offices in Europe, the Middle East and Antarctica. SSC Atlantic also incorporates approximately 48 civilian former SSC San Diego employees who work in the Tidewater, VA area to support the Atlantic fleet. SSC Atlantic has more than 3,400 government employees, 120 military personnel and significant industry partnerships.

2002 – SSC Chesapeake physically relocated to Norfolk Naval Base and became SSC Norfolk in January.

2000 – SSC New Orleans officially became part of SPAWAR in November and was initially called the Space and Naval Warfare Information Technology Center.

1999 – Officials from Naval Computer and Telecommunications Command (NCTC) signed an agreement Aug. 10 to transfer its Navy Working Capital Fund (NWCF) activities and associated NCTC headquarters personnel directly supporting NWCF activities to the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command. NCTC activities in Norfolk, Washington, D.C., and Pensacola and Jacksonville transferred to SSC Charleston.

1999 – The doors of SSC New Orleans officially opened in dedication ceremonies in May, but the center’s personnel, like the city, have a long-standing relationship with the Navy. In fact, SSC New Orleans can trace its origins back nearly a quarter of a century when the Naval Reserve, which is headquartered in New Orleans, began using computers and information technology to automate business processes related to manpower, personnel, pay and training.

1997 – The Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development and Acquisition designated COMNAVRESFOR the Systems Executive Officer for Manpower and Personnel (SEO(MP)), with assigned responsibility for acquisition and program management of all Navy manpower and personnel information resources, as well as designated DoD personnel and pay systems. NAVRESINFOSYSOFF worked closely with the SEO(MP) staff, providing technical execution expertise, systems engineering, and operation and maintenance of systems under the purview of the SEO(MP). The two organizations were co-located at the Naval Support Activity in New Orleans. Additionally, with increasing command-critical Navy work being executed in New Orleans, federal, state and local officials obtained approval from the Navy to partner with the local academic community and private industry to establish an Information Technology Center in the University of New Orleans Research and Technology Park, then under construction adjacent to the University’s Lakefront campus.

1997 – On Sept. 30, a Base Closure and Realignment Commission (BRAC) decision merged the Naval Command, Control and Ocean Surveillance Center into its parent command, the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command. As a result, the field activities were renamed and NISE East became SSC Charleston.

1997 – In October, the Navy Management Systems Support Office joined with SPAWAR and became SSC Chesapeake.

1995 – The office was formally designated the Naval Reserve Information Systems Office (NAVRESINFOSYSOFF) and conferred Echelon III status. NAVRESINFOSYSOFF became the central design agency for Naval Reserve manpower, personnel and training systems. Based on its excellent record of customer service and rapid deployment of systems, NAVRESINFOSYSOFF was designated as the central design agency for many Navy manpower and personnel systems, and assumed responsibility for managing and maintaining dozens of Navy legacy programs.

1993-1994 – A naval command was commissioned Jan. 9, 1994, establishing the Naval Command, Control and Ocean Surveillance Center, In-Service Engineering, East Coast Division (NISE East). The consolidation was the result of the 1993 BRAC decision. This new command brought together the expertise of approximately 1,000 federal workers from four former naval activities along the East Coast:

  • Naval Electronic Systems Engineering Center in Charleston, SC
  • Naval Electronic Systems Engineering Center in Portsmouth, VA
  • Naval Electronic Systems Engineering Activity in St. Inigoes, MD
  • Naval Electronic Systems Security Engineering Center in Washington, D.C.

1981 – The command’s mission expanded to include automation responsibilities for key fleet business areas including aviation.

1978 – Navy Management Systems Support Office was established to support three existing fleet systems operating at 81 sites.

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