WEST POINT, NY -- The U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command, known as DEVCOM, Army Research Laboratory and the United States Military Academy, or USMA, at West Point are expanding their longstanding military scientific partnership across more departments and involves multiple disciplines for embedded research that is shaping the future of battlefield technology and leadership.
“Our deep research collaboration combines our missions for one goal – the U.S. Army and our Soldiers,” said Dr. Eric L. Moore, DEVCOM ARL’s acting director. “This partnership integrates military academic scholarship with the Army's fundamental research priorities to strengthen our technological edge in the future.”
At the 2026 Projects Day Research Symposium, ARL and USMA showcased over 20 project achievements across Army priorities spanning advanced photonics, quantum sensing, additive manufacturing, battlefield energy and AI-enabled systems.
“The collaboration provides USMA cadets and faculty with unique opportunities to engage in real-world, mission-relevant in-house research alongside ARL scientists,” said Dr. Patrice D. Collins, branch chief of ARL’s Educational Outreach Office. “The partnership benefits ARL with fresh operational perspectives and technical expertise of West Point’s community and equips cadets and faculty with military-focused innovative skills and experience beyond the classroom to lead in an era of rapid change and complex threats.”
Cadets have been embedded in these high-priority Army research projects over years. This collaboration allows them to probe deeper, advised throughout by USMA faculty and ARL scientists. As they complete their education, they mentor incoming cadets to build on their research.
Through key collaborative programs, these cadets are able to not only harness deep ARL expertise but also the state-of-the art facilities of the military laboratories. Collaboration programs include:
- Academic Individual Advanced Development (AIAD): USMA cadets conduct hands-on research in ARL’s state-of-the-art laboratories, gaining mentorship and experience in emerging Army technologies.
- Faculty Operational Experience Program (FOEP): USMA faculty participate in sabbaticals at ARL, deepening their operational understanding of Army needs and fostering mutually beneficial research.
- Faculty and Cadet Collaborative Research: Joint research projects address Army science gaps or challenges, culminating in presentations at the annual ARL/USMA Technical Symposium. Shared laboratories ensure research and development continues without interruption through complementary systems.
- Davies Postdoctoral Fellowship & Visiting Scientist Chairs: Postdoctoral researchers and ARL researchers contribute to USMA’s teaching and research, enriching the academic environment and Army’s technical workforce.
This collaboration is exemplified in the newly established ARL Brig. Gen. Dr. Chris Arney Award for war-winning collaboration and innovation, sponsored by the laboratory. The inaugural award was presented to USMA Cadet Connor Poland by Moore for his remarkable research contributions that accelerated the laboratory’s ability to identify high-performing materials for laser protection.
"Through a powerful collaboration between ARL and West Point, Cadet Poland didn't just study science…he applied it,” Moore said. “By leveraging our state-of-the-art facilities and hands-on mentorship, he was instrumental in integrating new experimental capabilities at the USMA Photonic Research Center.
“Congratulations to Cadet Poland and his mentors and thank you to the Army Research Lab for making this work possible,” said Brig. Gen. Shane Reeves, USMA Dean. “These contributions to laser protection research showcase that academic excellence can forge human overmatch.”
For partnership opportunities or more information, please contact:
- ARL Outreach Office: ARL_Outreach@arl.army.mil
- USMA Office of Research: research@westpoint.edu
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DEVCOM ARL is the Army’s sole fundamental research laboratory serving as the nexus of science between the military, academia and industry. Operating under the U.S. Army Futures and Concepts Command and the U.S. Army Transformation and Training Command, ARL executes globally recognized research to accelerate delivery of war-winning, disruptive technologies for tomorrow’s Army.
For information, visit the Army Research Laboratory website.
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