Office of Naval Research The Office of Naval Research ( ONR ) , headquartered in Arlington , Virginia ( Ballston ) , is the office within the United States Department of the Navy that coordinates , executes , and promotes the science and technology programs of the U . S . Navy and Marine Corps through schools , universities , government laboratories , nonprofit and for - profit organizations . ONR , as it is frequently referred to , reports to the U . S . Secretary of the Navy through the Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research , Development and Acquisition . The Chief of Naval Research ( CNR ) is Rear Adm . Matthew L . Klunder , who formerly served as the 83rd Commandant of Midshipmen at the United States Naval Academy . The Vice Chief of Naval Research is BGen Kevin Killea , United States Marine Corps , who also serves as Commanding General of the Marine Corps Warfighting Lab ( MCWL ) . ONR executes its mission through : In 2007 , a Naval S & T Strategic Plan was developed to describe how ONR will enable the future operational concepts of the Navy and the Marine Corps . This plan was updated in 2009 and 2011 . By design , it is a broad strategy that provides strong direction for the future , but it is aimed to retain sufficient flexibility and freedom of action to allow ONR to meet emerging challenges or alter course as directed by senior Naval leadership . The Office of Naval Research . ONR was authorized by an Act of Congress , Public Law 588 , and subsequently approved by President Harry S . Truman on August 1 , 1946 , with the stated mission of " planning , fostering , and encouraging scientific research in recognition of its paramount importance as related to the maintenance of future naval power and the preservation of national security . " Today , ONR carries out its mission by funding ( through grants and contracts ) world - class scientists , technologists , and engineers who perform basic research , technology development , and advanced technology demonstrations . More than 50 researchers have won a Nobel Prize for their ONR - funded work . Continuous investment in new and innovative technology enables ONR to build and maintain the world ’ s most capable Navy . Its focus is long term , yet it is highly responsive to near - term Naval needs . ONR ' s balanced S & T Portfolio is allocated to meet the broad spectrum of warfighter requirements : 10 % Quick Reaction 30 % S & T Acquisition Enablers 10 % Leap Ahead Innovations 40 % Discovery & Invention ( Basic and Applied Science ) 10 % Other Science and Technology Departments . ONR has six science and technology departments that fund basic research programs , primarily through U . S . universities ; technology research programs , primarily through government and nongovernment laboratories ; and , advanced technology demonstration programs , primarily through U . S . industry and companies . The six departments support efforts span from combating terrorism to oceanography and from sea warfare to life sciences . Additionally , ONR has an Office of Transition that supports technology transitions to the Navy and Marine Corps ; a Small Business Innovative Research Office that encourages small businesses to develop and commercialize products in support of ONR ’ s mission ; a Future Naval Capabilities Program that works to provide technologies to close warfighting gaps ; and a Corporate Programs Office that supports cross - disciplinary research and education programs . ONR Corporate Programs : Research & Education . In general , corporate programs are designed to increase the numbers and capabilities of engineers , scientists , and government personnel available to carry out efforts that support national defense and to provide evolutionary and often revolutionary technological capabilities to the United States Navy and Marine Corps . To accomplish this , ONR supports many Corporate research and education programs : Naval Research Laboratory . Founded in 1923 , NRL employs over 2 , 500 scientists and engineers . NRL is the corporate research laboratory for the Navy and Marine Corps and conducts a broad program of scientific research , technology and advanced development . It has a prestigious history , including the development of the first U . S . radar system , developing synthetic lubricants ( for modern gas turbine engines ) , over - the - horizon radar , the first U . S . surveillance satellite , and the Clementine mission . A few of the Laboratory ' s current specialties include plasma physics , space physics , materials science , and tactical electronic warfare . ONR Global . The U . S . Office of Naval Research Global provides worldwide science & technology - based solutions to current and future Naval challenges . ONR Global combines the expertise of over 40 scientists , technologists , and engineers with a physical presence on five continents . The ONR Global team is committed to working with the broad global technical community and the operational Fleet / Force commands to foster cooperation in areas of mutual interest and to bring the full range of possibility to the Navy and Marine Corps . ONR Global regional offices are located in : ONR Global is a supporter of the Global Security Challenge at the London Business School . Past and Ongoing Projects . ONR ’ s investments have enabled many firsts , including the launch of the first U . S . intel satellite ; the development of SEALAB I / II ; the validation of the GPS concept and launch of the first GPS satellite ; the first global atmospheric prediction model ; GWOT support through various quick response programs ; and , most recently , the Electromagnetic Railgun , the Infantry Immersive Trainer and Super - conducting Motors . Others include :