Adelphi Laboratory Center

Before the forming of the ARL, the United States Army had research facilities dating back to 1820 when the laboratory at Watertown Arsenal, Massachusetts, studied pyrotechnics and waterproof paper cartridges. This facility would evolve into the Materials Technology Laboratory. Most pre-WWII military research occurred within the military by military personnel, but in 1945, the Army published a policy affirming the need for civilian scientific contributions in military planning and weapons production. Non-military involvement before this time was frequent; however, methods for contribution to warfare technology was on limited and incidental basis. On June 11, 1946, a new research and development division of the War Department General Staff was created; however, due to internal forces within the military which supported the traditional technical service structure the division was closed. A variety of reorganizations took place over the next four decades, which put many organizations in command of Army research and development. Often commanders of these organizations were advocates of the reorganization, while some middle level management was opposed to the change.

Reorganization

The ARL represents the realization of a memorandum dated January 6, 1989 from the LABCOM Commander recommending integrating the corporate laboratories into a single entity. As part of the Base Realignment and Closure of 1989/1991, the consolidated research facilities would be located primarily at Adelphi Laboratory Center and Aberdeen Proving Ground. This would also relocate the majority of operations at MTL to APG. The Federal Advisory Commission reviewed and accepted the creation of ARL in 1992.

Directorates

Army Research Office

The Army Research Office (ARO), located in Research Triangle Park, funds extramural basic research, that is, research in outside academic and industrial organizations, providing grants to both single investigators and university-affiliated research centers, as well as outreach programs.

Computational and Information Sciences

The Computational and Information Sciences Directorate (CISD) is the foremost U.S. Army organization for research and development of modern electronic systems. This research supports capabilities in the analysis, distribution, and assimilation of real or simulated digitized battlefield information. In addition to the digitized war initiatives, high performance computing research is performed at a variety of centers under the ARL. The use of supercomputers for mathematical simulations instead of mass fabrication can result in the conservation of human and physical resources. The directorate is a key player in the International Technology Alliance in conjunction with SEDD and HRED directorates.

Human Research and Engineering

The U.S. Army Research Laboratory's Human Research and Engineering Directorate (HRED) is the principal Army organization for research and development (R&D) in the human dimension. HRED conducts a broad-based program of scientific research and technology directed toward optimizing Soldier performance and Soldier-machine interactions to maximize battlefield effectiveness. HRED also executes an analysis mission that provides the Army with human factors leadership to ensure that Soldier performance requirements are adequately considered in technology development and system design. HRED coordinates technologies within the Army, other services and their laboratories, industry, and academia to leverage basic and applied research opportunities for the benefit of the Army.

Sensors and Electron Devices

Sensors and Electron Devices Directorate (SEDD) is a group dedicated to produce equipment from tiny chips to fully integrated systems. SEDD also helps develop sensors and electronic devices which become an important part of modern warfare. Other components of this directorate include: multifunction radio frequency equipment, autonomous sensing, power generation and management, and signal processing algorithms. One of the best ways to protect the soldier is to develop autonomous sensing systems for all activities, from intelligence gathering to waging warfare.

Survivability/Lethality Analysis

The Survivability/Lethality Analysis Directorate (SLAD) is the primary center for expertise in survivability, lethality, and vulnerability of all army systems, across the full range of battlefield threats: ballistic, electronic warfare, information operations, and nuclear, biological, and chemical warfare. SLAD's mission is to assist technology and system developers in optimizing system designs and to provide analytical data to evaluators and decision makers in the Army and the DOD.

Vehicle Technology

The U.S. Army Research Laboratory's Vehicle Technology Directorate (VTD) manages research and development of vehicle propulsion and structure. In addition, VTD conducts analytical and practical experiments in loads analysis, structural dynamics, aero-elasticity, structural acoustics, and vibration reduction. VTD makes ground combat vehicles lighter, more reliable, safer, and more fuel efficient. Air combat vehicles such as the helicopter are studied to decrease the vibrations caused by the rotors. Metallic materials are engineered to increase strength and decrease corrosion through the use of composites. The divisions of VTD are Loads & Dynamics, Structural Mechanics, Engine & Transmission Systems, Engine Components, and Unmanned Vehicles.

Weapons and Materials Research

The U.S. Army Research Laboratory Weapons and Materials Research Directorate (WMRD) is the principal U.S. Army organization for research and development in weapons and materials technologies. The directorate is charged with making bullets pierce farther and ballistic vests stronger. Although these interests may seem opposed, the goal is to increase the survivability of the soldier. In the WMRD, traditional armaments are studied, as are advanced ballistic defense systems. This directorate is especially linked with VTD in order to produce safer vehicles, transports, and aircraft. One aspect of this directorate's analysis duty is to evaluate military technologies from an economical standpoint in order to reduce overall system costs.

Federated Laboratories

Beginning in 1996, the Army Research Laboratory entered into innovative cooperative agreements with industrial and academic partners to form "federated laboratories," or "FedLabs", to perform research in broad areas important to the U.S. Army where the ARL could extract significant leverage from work being performed in the commercial and academic arenas. The first three FedLabs were in Advanced Displays, Advanced Sensors, and Telecommunications. Each FedLab was a large consortium of companies, universities, and non-profit organizations, with both an overall industrial leader and an ARL leader. The cooperative agreements forming the FedLabs were somewhat unusual in that the ARL was not a mere funder of research, but an active consortium participant.The first three FedLabs won a National Performance Award in 1999 from then-Vice President Al Gore.

Collaborative Technology and Research Alliances

Collaborative Technology and Research Alliances is a term for partnerships between Army laboratories and centers, private industry and academia for performing research and technology development intended to benefit the US Army. The partnerships are funded by the US Army.

• Cyber Security Collaborative Research Alliance (CSCRA)
• Materials in Extreme Dynamic Environments Collaborative Research Alliance
• Multi-Scale Multidisciplinary Modeling of Electronic Materials Collaborative Research Alliance
• Distributed Analytics and Information Science International Technology Alliance (DAIS ITA)

Powder Mill Gate

The ALC Access Control Point will be closed from 6 p.m. to 5 a.m. daily, beginning Sunday, April 21. All inbound and outbound traffic during these hours will have to call the 24/7-manned line at 301-394-1100 for access. Security guards will be available to assist

Questions regarding installation access please call: (301) 394-1100.

Access Control Resources:

About Background Checks

In accordance with Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 and Army Regulation 190-13, all visitors and uncleared contractors desiring unescorted access to ALC, must be vetted through the National Crime Information Center Interstate Identification Index (NCIC III).

How To Request Access

To complete a background check and be issued an installation access badge you must go to the ARL Badging Office located in the Diamond Building and complete an access request form.

Installation Access Forms

Downloadable forms.

NCIC Correction Procedure

If you are denied access to the installation based upon information on your NCIC III check that you believe to be inaccurate or incorrect please see below on the procedures for getting the information corrected.

Visitors Access

Visitors, contractors and vendors 18 years and older, entering ALC, who do not have a DoD identification card, will be subject to a background check before being allowed entry to the installation. Those who present a common access card (CAC card), Military ID, Military Dependent ID, Gold Star ID, or other valid DoD credential won't be affected

All visitors to the Adelphi Laboratory Center (ALC), who do not possess a Common Access Card (CAC) or another approved Federal identification card must be vetted using the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) Interstate ID Index (III), which is the Army minimum baseline background check for entrance onto Army installations (Reference: Policy Memorandum USAG-ALC-50, Army Directive 2014-05 and Chief of Staff, Army Memorandum Dated 14 Oct 14).

In order to reduce access vetting time, ALC tenant organizations that schedule or invite visitors to the installation will submit:

·        USAG ALC Installation Access Reuest Form 191  and a sponsoring memo; this will ensure delays do not occur at the access control point.

·         Access vetting can be provided in an emergency (within 24 hours) by contacting ALC security office at 394-1100.

·         Once vetted, visitors will be provided a pass or credential not to exceed one year in length dependent upon their function or need for access.

Visitors will experience delays at the access control point if required vetting documents are not provided 72-hours prior to the visit:

·         All visitors require a vetted ALC/ARL escort.

All properly vetted ALC/ARL personnel and ALC Contractors may escort up to:

·         1 vehicle and 3 personnel or 4 personnel walking

Please provide these documents at least 72 hours prior to the date of the visit to the ALC Garrison Security Control Center via email to Captain Daniel Conte at daniel.l.conte.civ@mail.mil and Officer Jennifer Fanning at jennifer.l.fanning4.civ@mail.mil

NOTE: FOR BADGING PURPOSES, THE ACCESS CONTROL/BADGING OFFICE STILL NEEDS TO CONTINUE TO RECEIVE VISITOR NOTICES. IN ADDITION, GROUP PASS REQUESTS AND NON-US CITIZEN UNOFFICIAL VISIT REQEUSTS STILL NEED TO BE SENT TO JOSE TORRES AT 394-5687 OR EMAIL: jose.torres11.civ@mail.mil WITHIN THE TIMELINES REQUIRED.

POC: Daniel Conte, 301- 394-4475, daniel.l.conte.civ@mail.mil

The Adelphi Laboratory Center is located in Maryland, part of the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area.  ALC is located approximately 25 miles southwest of central Baltimore and 10 miles north of Washington, D.C and is easily accessible to Interstate 95 (the East Coast's primary north-south transportation coordinator and the Capital Beltway I-495. The address of ALC is 2800 Powder Mill Road, Adelphi, MD.

All visitors to ALC, who do not possess a Common Access Card (CAC) or another approved Federal identification card must be vetted using the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) Interstate ID Index (III), which is the Army minimum baseline background check for entrance onto Army installations.

In order to reduce access betting time, ALC tenant organizations that schedule or invite visitors to the installation will submit:

• USAG ALC Installation Access Request Form 191 and a sponsor memo.
• Access vetting can be provided in an emergency (within 24 hours) by contacting the ALC Security Office at 394-1100.
• Once vetted, visitors will be provided a pass or credential not to exceed one year in length dependent upon their function or need for access.
• All vistors required a vetted ALC/ARL escort.

All security clearances must be faxed to the U.S. Army Research Laboratory Visitor's Desk at( 301) 394-2087.

Non-U.S. citizens representing a foreign government, industry, or academic institution must do the following:

• Submit a visit request to the Foreign Disclosure Officer at
  (301) 394-4977, or fax at 301-394-4583
• Submit this request via the correct official diplomatic channels prior to the visit

U.S. Citizens representing industry or academic institution must contact their ARL point of contact at least 48 hours prior to arrival.

DSN: 290
JPAS Code: W262AA5
Receptionist: (301) 394-2515
Facsimile: (301) 394-2087

The ALC Physical Security Office assists members of the Adelphi Laboratory Center community by providing guidance on law enforcement, emergency response, and security issues. ALC Physical Security Office provides 24/7 force protection, and community assistance by maintaining liaison with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies. the ALC Physical Security Office defends good order and discipline by enforcing the rule of law and policies of the APG Garrison Commander and the USAG ALC Garrison Manager.