Undersea
Autonomous underwater vehicles and seabed-to-surface operations in the secure waters of the Pacific.
From Seabed-to-Space. One Base.
Naval Base Ventura County is the nation's premier installation for developing, testing, and fielding next-generation autonomous systems across all warfighting domains.
The MAB Advantage
An integrated hub for autonomous systems testing
As the Department of War advances Project Agincourt and a pathway toward the Autonomous Warfare Command, MAB is primed with multiple domains and experienced in supporting unmanned-system development and evaluation. NBVC stands out as the most capable nexus for autonomous systems innovation - combining unmatched geography, three world-class warfare commands, and experienced industry partners with a demonstrated track record in autonomous technologies. No other installation offers the convergence of, live operational ranges, deep-water access, airspace, and the full spectrum of Navy warfare centers under one command structure. The right capabilities, the right partners, at the right time.
NBVC MAB is not new to the arena. For several years, it has quietly supported high-level autonomous systems testing. From the Navy's warfare commands to the Defense Innovation Unit, the installation has aided the advancement of unmanned programs the Department of War is focused on accelerating.
Geography & Partnership
Diverse environments. Proven partners.
Beyond NBVC's geography is a one-of-a-kind partnership with three Navy warfare centers and FATHOMWERX, whose public-private laboratory brings together government, industry, and academia to innovate, experiment, and transition capabilities.
From the Pacific Ocean's seabed to the Kármán line into space, and from mountain terrain to open ocean ranges, NBVC provides the geographic diversity needed to develop and test the next generation of autonomous systems.
Open Ocean RangeIsland ChainsDeep Water PortMaritime ChannelUrban TerrainIndustrial RailheadSea Range
Domain Coverage
Full-Spectrum Autonomous Systems
Surface
Unmanned surface vessels operating across maritime channels, deep-water ports, and open ocean ranges.
Air
Fixed-wing and rotary UAS tested across restricted airspace corridors and coastal terrain.
Space
Satellite integration, space domain awareness, and orbital systems support from Point Mugu.
Vision & Industrial Base
Building the Defense Industrial Ecosystem
The MAB Initiative is more than a technology program — it is a deliberate effort to build a self-sustaining defense industrial ecosystem anchored at NBVC. The partnership creates an innovation ecosystem to transition academic breakthroughs and dual-use technologies directly into real-world military, port, and maritime operations
By co-locating research commands, test ranges, and industry partners, NAVYMAB creates the conditions for rapid prototyping, iterative testing, and accelerated fielding of autonomous capabilities.
