NRL Fact Book

The Naval Research Laboratory NRL was officially established on July 2, 1923, as the Naval Experimental and Research Laboratory. NRL still occupies its original site on the banks of the Potomac River in the southwest sector of Washington, D.C. Over the past 60 years, the facility has grown from a modest beginning of five buildings and a few hand-picked scientists representing two major research areas-radio and underwater sound. Indeed, the Laboratory is often referred to as the Navys corporate research laboratory, a designation confirming the breadth of NRLs research mission. Current resources include a Main Laboratory expanded to some 52.2 hectares 129 acres, about 20 field sites, more than 400 buildings and structures, and a full-time permanent work force in the neighborhood of 3200. The overall management of the Laboratory is under the direction of a Naval Commanding Officer -nd a civilian Director of Research. The internal structure of the Laboratory consists of five management support divisions and five directorates, each headed by an Associate Director of Research. The Technical Services Directorate includes five major divisions and detachments, and the four Research Directorates are comprised of 15 research divisions and one detachment.