Naval Undersea Warfare Center Newport’s Impact on Economy More Than $1 billion in 2018

The total funded program of the Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC) Division Newport reached $1.12 billion in 2018. Of its total operating budget, $926.6 million was spent by NUWC Newport in payroll, construction, facility support, and local contracts. The command is the largest federal activity in Rhode Island in terms of personnel and payroll.

NUWC Newport’s employee base includes 3,332 government civilian employees and 41 military members with a total gross payroll of $352.2 million. Of the full-time government civilian staff, 72 percent are classified as scientists or engineers, and approximately 28 percent have graduate degrees.

In addition to the government workforce, NUWC Newport contracted for approximately 2,602 work years during 2018 from companies located in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Connecticut, bringing its combined government and contractor workforce to more than 5,934 positions.

Money spent for contracts totaled approximately $537.8 million, with contracts obligated to Southern New England companies during the year exceeding $340 million. The breakdown included $287.8 million awarded to Rhode Island-based businesses, $41.8 million issued to Massachusetts-based companies, and $10.7 million obligated to Connecticut businesses. Construction contracts totaled $13 million, with an additional $23.7 million spent on facility support contracts.

Of the Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division Newport's total operating budget, $926.6 million was spent in payroll, construction, facility support and local contracts. (Photo by U.S. Navy)

NUWC Newport is a shore command of the U.S. Navy within the Naval Sea Systems Command, which engineers, builds and supports America’s fleet of ships and combat systems. NUWC Newport provides research, development, test and evaluation, engineering and fleet support for submarines, autonomous underwater systems, undersea offensive and defensive weapons systems, and countermeasures associated with undersea warfare.

Currently celebrating its 150th anniversary, NUWC Newport is the oldest warfare center in the country, tracing its heritage to the Naval Torpedo Station that was established on Goat Island in Newport Harbor in 1869. Commanded by Captain Michael Coughlin, NUWC Newport maintains major detachments in West Palm Beach, Florida, and Andros Island in the Bahamas, as well as test facilities at Seneca Lake and Fisher's Island, New York, Leesburg, Florida, and Dodge Pond, Connecticut.

Click here to view the 2018 NUWC Newport Economic Impact brochure.