Inside Indian Head’s $3 Billion Modernization Plan And What It Means For Charles County

LA PLATA, Md. — Many Charles County residents pass Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) Indian Head Division without realizing how deeply the installation is connected to the county’s economy and workforce.

That connection was the focus of a July 20 briefing before the Charles County Planning Commission, where base leaders outlined a 15-year, approximately $3 billion Navy energetics modernization plan, much of which is expected to support Indian Head.

Erin Ferriter, chief of staff for NSWC Indian Head, told commissioners the installation’s presence and career opportunities are not always widely understood, even among people who grow up nearby.

“As someone who grew up in this area and went through the public schools around here, I didn’t know Indian Head existed,” Ferriter said. “I didn’t show up there till 10 years into my government career.”

NSWC Indian Head reported 2,193 civilian employees, not including contractors. Scientists and engineers account for 796 of those employees, but Ferriter said the installation also employs tradespeople, accountants, program managers and workers in other fields needed to support its operations.

“It’s important that people understand the opportunities that we have here,” Ferriter said.

According to figures included in the presentation, 57% of NSWC Indian Head’s workforce lives in Maryland. Of those employees, 65% live in Charles County, followed by 16% in St. Mary’s County, 10% in Prince George’s County and 4% in Calvert County.

The installation reported $391 million in Maryland payroll and $86.6 million in Maryland contracts and other transaction agreements during fiscal 2025.

A $3 Billion Investment Over 15 Years

The Energetics Comprehensive Modernization Plan is a 15-year, approximately $3 billion effort to upgrade the Navy’s facilities for producing and supporting explosives, propellants, rocket motors and other energetic systems.

The plan includes NSWC Indian Head, Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division and NAVSEA’s Alleghany Ballistics Laboratory. It was approved in 2023 as a Navy strategy to modernize the government-owned energetics industrial base while also working with private industry. Ferriter said most of the investment is expected to support Indian Head.

The first stage focuses on improving safety and readiness at facilities already in use. Later stages include restoring existing buildings, adding production capacity and constructing new facilities.

More than 400 projects are planned in future years as the effort shifts from urgent maintenance toward projects intended to expand the installation’s capacity. Additional contracts are also expected for infrastructure and on-site support.

New Investment Outside The Gates

Part of the expected growth is occurring outside the installation through the Maryland Energetics Innovation Hub.

NSWC Indian Head awarded a $50 million agreement to the American Center for Manufacturing and Innovation on April 1 to establish the hub. Its first satellite location on Indian Head Highway broke ground May 28.

The Charles County Economic Development Department said ACMI expects the Navy’s initial award to attract more than $200 million in private capital, potentially bringing the project’s combined investment above $250 million. The hub is intended to bring defense companies, researchers and academic partners together near the base to develop and scale new technologies.

“This initiative ensures that NSWC IHD remains at the forefront of energetics innovation, scale-up, and production,” NSWC Indian Head Commanding Officer Capt. Stephen Duba said during the groundbreaking announcement.

Energetics Technology Center and Applied Research Associates were announced as the hub’s first tenants and partners. Initial operations are expected to begin in 2027, according to ACMI.

Building A Local Workforce

Base officials also highlighted a STEM Workforce Pipeline Program intended to prepare students for careers at Indian Head and with its private-sector partners.

The program is designed to fund STEM-related degrees in exchange for a service commitment after graduation. Indian Head would receive the first opportunity to hire participating graduates.

Internships are another major part of the effort. Base leaders said internships can help students gain experience while also supporting shorter research, development, testing and evaluation projects.

The presentation identified partnerships involving the College of Southern Maryland, St. Mary’s College of Maryland, the University of Maryland, Johns Hopkins University, the Energetics Technology Center and The Patuxent Partnership.

Base representatives said outreach begins before college through robotics, summer camps, internships and other STEM programs for elementary, middle and high school students.

Learn more: NSWC Indian Head | Maryland Energetics Innovation Hub | Charles County Military Alliance Council

Watch the full July 20, 2026 meeting on CCGTV.

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