Engineer Research and Development Center News

ERDC, LEMA Power the Fight During FLEX 2026

Sarah Clark, public affairs specialist — Tue, 19 May 2026 17:00:47 GMT

As unmanned surface vessels carved through the waters off Key West, Florida, and autonomous aerial systems scanned the horizon for illicit trafficking targets, a quieter but equally critical mission was unfolding behind the scenes at U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. Fourth Fleet’s Fleet Experimentation (FLEX) 2026 exercise. Inside a network of command trailers operating advanced unmanned systems, researchers from the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center’s Construction Engineering Research Laboratory (ERDC-CERL) and industry partner LEMA were proving that the future of expeditionary operations depends not only on autonomous platforms and artificial intelligence, but also on resilient, unmanned energy systems capable of providing uninterrupted power in austere environments.

ERDC, Cache Energy advance long-duration energy storage for Army installations

Sarah Clark, public affairs specialist — Tue, 12 May 2026 19:09:30 GMT

Researchers at the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center’s Construction Engineering Research Laboratory (ERDC-CERL) are advancing a next-generation energy storage capability designed to strengthen installation resilience during extended power disruptions.

ERDC study reveals pathway to breakdown “forever chemicals”

Justus Reed, Public Affairs Specialist — Wed, 29 Apr 2026 15:41:41 GMT

A study on breaking down PFAS molecules conducted by two researchers from the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center’s (ERDC) was recently published in a leading, peer-reviewed scientific journal.

ERDC Advances Transformational Arctic Sustainment Technology for Warfighters

Sarah Clark, public affairs specialist — Mon, 20 Apr 2026 21:09:55 GMT

As the U.S. Army increases its operational focus in the Arctic, researchers at the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center’s (ERDC) Construction Engineering Research Laboratory (CERL) are delivering a proven solution for one of the region’s toughest challenges — sustaining Soldiers in extreme cold weather.

RD26 showcases ERDC innovation, collaboration

Annette Kirklin, public affairs specialist — Fri, 17 Apr 2026 14:42:01 GMT

The U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) recently hosted RD26, the fifth installment of its biennial research and development workshop, bringing together a record number of participants from across the enterprise.

ERDC scientists transform scientific measurement with “illuminating” discovery

Justin Campfield, public affairs specialist — Fri, 10 Apr 2026 16:01:00 GMT

Fluorescence is a fundamental component of scientific analysis, serving as a core measurement tool in applications ranging from environmental monitoring and field analytics to materials testing and biological and chemical detection. The Army uses fluorescence in countless ways, including detecting toxic chemicals, identifying pathogens and even tracking how materials like cement degrade in the field, just to name a few. Combining subject-matter expertise from ERDC’s Environmental Laboratory in Vicksburg, Miss., and Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory in Hanover, N.H., the team developed a novel approach – and potentially transformed innumerable scientific experiments – by building photoprotection directly into a new molecular design in a way that dramatically increases the durability of fluorescence.

Sullivan honored at ERDC retirement ceremony

Annette Kirklin, public affairs specialist — Tue, 31 Mar 2026 20:44:22 GMT

The U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) recently celebrated the distinguished career of Patricia M. Sullivan, Senior Executive Service (SES), who retired after more than 41 years of dedicated service.

Dr. Sally Shoop awarded American Society of Civil Engineers Can-Am Amity Award

Justin Campfield, public affairs specialist — Mon, 02 Mar 2026 16:07:10 GMT

Dr. Sally Shoop, research engineer with ERDC’s Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory, has been awarded the 2026 Can-Am Civil Engineering Amity Award by the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE).

Testing continues on lock improvements along upper Ohio River

Carol C. Coleman, public affairs specialist — Tue, 17 Feb 2026 15:15:26 GMT

As navigation improvements continue along the upper Ohio River, a team of researchers at the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) are developing physical models to test new designs of the lock systems to ensure they function as intended.

Autonomous barge kits improve logistical capabilities for joint forces

Carol C. Coleman, public affairs specialist — Mon, 15 Dec 2025 17:09:46 GMT

The U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) has partnered with the U.S. Transportation Command to develop Scalable Autonomous Modular Propulsion kits for coastal and riverine Operational Logistics, or SAMPOL.

ERDC hosts Sediment Transport Collaborative Laboratory Experiment

Carol C. Coleman, public affairs specialist — Wed, 03 Dec 2025 17:03:44 GMT

This summer, the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) hosted the U.S. Coastal Research Program’s (USCRP) Sediment Transport Collaborative Laboratory Experiment, or SEDCOLAB, to improve understanding of sediment transport processes by leveraging and coordinating scientific investigations from multiple research teams in a controlled, laboratory environment.

ERDC, USACE host workshop in Botswana to help mitigate lead contamination

Justus Reed, Public Affairs Specialist — Thu, 11 Sep 2025 14:03:36 GMT

Subject-matter experts from the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Europe District recently traveled to Gaborone, Botswana to conduct an Environmental Soil Screening Workshop with the Botswana Defense Force (BDF) at their shooting ranges.

Vibration Proof: ERDC engineer helps protect B-2 bombers

Tim Reeves, ERDC Corporate Communications Office — Wed, 03 Sep 2025 20:47:00 GMT

For nearly four decades, the B-2 Spirit, commonly referred to as the stealth bomber, has been the tip of the spear in the United States’ ability to project force on a global scale. The aircraft’s capabilities – developed in secret and once thought impossible – were on full display during the recent Operation Midnight Hammer, in which the aircraft was used to dismantle assets with Iran’s nuclear weapons program.

Savant selected as Fulbright Specialist

Carol C. Coleman, public affairs specialist — Mon, 25 Aug 2025 15:06:33 GMT

Dr. Gaurav Savant, a senior scientific technical manager at the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC), has been selected as a Fulbright Specialist.

CRREL engineer earns a spot in The Explorers Club for Antarctic accomplishments

Justin Campfield, public affairs specialist — Mon, 11 Aug 2025 14:48:30 GMT

The Public Affairs Office at the U.S. Army Engineer and Research Development Center's Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory (CRREL) recently spoke with George Blaisdell about The Explorers Club, his admittance into it and what the achievement means to him.

ERDC divers essential to underwater research

Carol C. Coleman, public affairs specialist — Thu, 07 Aug 2025 16:52:43 GMT

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) dive teams are called upon for a myriad of operations. Whether performing underwater inspections, maintenance or construction tasks, these teams are essential for maintaining the safety and functionality of the nation’s infrastructure. As a part of that cadre, the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center’s (ERDC) dive team is no different.

ERDC and the 109th Airlift Wing team up for aviation first

Justin Campfield, public affairs specialist — Tue, 08 Jul 2025 18:45:23 GMT

ERDC's Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory (CRREL) has performed decades of research and fieldwork establishing that 55 inches of ice is the thickness required to land an LC-130 (a ski-equipped version of the C-130) for both saltwater ice and freshwater ice. Researchers have long thought that a landing on freshwater ice could be done on much less thick of ice.

ERDC and NATO experiment advances engineer survivability

Kaley Skaggs, public affairs specialist — Mon, 07 Jul 2025 15:44:50 GMT

The U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC), along with the NATO Military Engineering Working Group’s Camouflage, Concealment, Deception, and Obscuration Team of Experts, recently conducted an experiment in support of “surviving the gap” during wet gap crossing exercises in Frecatei, Romania.

Army Geospatial Center’s Matthew Rifkin Selected for ERDC University

Mary Bradley Warnock, ORTT — Fri, 30 May 2025 17:16:36 GMT

Matthew Rifkin, a physical scientist with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Army Geospatial Center (AGC), has been chosen as one of five USACE participants for the 2025 session of the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center University (ERDC-U).

Finding the slope: Tilt table offers solutions in hydraulic testing

Carol C. Coleman, public affairs specialist — Wed, 14 May 2025 19:15:42 GMT

Researchers at the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) have constructed a tilt table to allow for the accurate and effortless change in slope on larger scale models.