History and General Information
The U.S. Army Adelphi Laboratory Center (ALC) was established in 1973 when the former Harry Diamond Laboratories (HDL) moved from its facility in Washington, D.C. to Adelphi, Maryland. ALC continued HDL's research on electronic fuzing for projectiles, fluidics, and nuclear weapons effects technologies.1 ALC is primarily located in Montgomery County, but also extends into Prince George's County and is situated approximately 10 miles north of Washington, D.C. ALC's location within the Washington Metropolitan Area provides it with access to universities, research libraries, and three major airports. ALC is a sub-installation under the command of Aberdeen Proving Ground (APG) in Harford County, Maryland.
ALC significantly expanded when activities were transferred to the facility during the 1991 Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC). The U.S. Army Research Laboratory (ARL) was activated at ALC in 1992 and served to consolidate the seven corporate labs of the Laboratory Command (LABCOM) with other Army research elements to create a central laboratory specifically focused on scientific research, technology development, and analysis.2 ARL is the primary tenant at ALC and the Army's world class applied research laboratory for combat materiel, battlefield protection, and combat efficiency. The tenant's work in the advanced science and technology fields, including extramural basic research, mobility and logistics, power and energy, simulation, and training technology,3 provides key innovation and analytical support to ensure the Army's success in current and future conflicts.
In 2002, ARL re-aligned as an element of the U.S. Army Research, Development, and Engineering Command (RDECOM). RDECOM transitioned to the
U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM) in 2019 as part of the
Army Futures Command. This migration continues the Army's efforts to modernize its critical core capabilities, support scientific research, and expand its network of international and domestic academic and industry partners in pursuit of world-class technology.
A complete history of the ARL and its work with the ALC can be found in their 2017 publication,
History of the U.S. Army Research Laboratory, a celebration of the transformational research completed by thousands of scientists and engineers at ARL furthering the capabilities of the nation's uniformed services.
In addition to the ARL and other tenants noted below, ALC manages operations at
Blossom Point Research Facility in Charles County, Maryland.
Compatible Use Organizations, Programs, and Resources
For more information on how ALC works with surrounding communities to build strong and mutually beneficial relationships, you can explore compatible use organizations, programs, and resources.
Community Resources to Promote Compatibility
Military installations and their host communities have strong and mutually beneficial relationships. They rely on and support one another in terms of jobs, housing, schools, recreation, infrastructure, and social services. Communication, coordination, and partnerships that support compatible community development can create mutually beneficial results to ensure support for warfighters and their families, military operations, and continued community growth and economic development.
Counties and municipalities develop comprehensive plans to provide a
long-term vision for their future growth and development. Comprehensive
plans typically include maps showing proposed future land uses and anticipated
transportation and community facilities, and emphasize sustainability, as
well as protection of environmental features, and historical and cultural
resources.
The following are the links to comprehensive plans in the area immediately
surrounding Adelphi Laboratory Center:
-
Prince George's County 2035 General Plan (2014)
- Plan 2035 recognizes Joint Base Andrews and other federal government
entities (such as ALC) as part of one of the targeted industry clusters
that have the highest concentrations of economic activity in the
county. The Plan encourages strategies that improve transportation
access and connectivity, new business development in support of
federal facilities, and continued investment.
- Montgomery County:
White Oak Science Gateway Master Plan (2014)
- The Master Plan only discusses ALC from a historical development
standpoint; however, it does recommend transportation facility enhancements
along New Hampshire Ave (MD 650) and Powder Mill Road (MD 212) near
the facility. It also recommends
park and open space development in the FDA White Oak Campus,
which is known as the
Federal Research Center (FRC) located to the immediate northwest
of ALC. The Master Plan recommends designating approximately 130
acres of forest through the FRC as a
Legacy Open Space Natural Resource site.
Economic Resources to Promote Compatibility
A jurisdiction's economic development office and support organizations offer a variety of resources that help the community seek out economic growth opportunities and strengthen existing businesses. These resources are particularly valuable for defense communities who are continually looking for ways to attract new business, retain a skilled workforce, and provide resources and opportunities for military families relocating to the area.
Army Alliance, Inc.
was founded in 1999 as a non-profit organization. Its objective is to support
the programs and organizations of APG, which includes Army Futures Command,
of which ALC is a component. This includes enhancing and maintaining the
region's economic vitality. The Army Alliance
overview includes an organization description, purpose, significant
past achievements, and current initiatives.
The Army Alliance, in partnership with the Chesapeake Science & Security
Corridor (CSSC), created a resource booklet on how to do business with APG,
ALC, its six Centers of Excellence, and 90+ tenant organizations.
Alphabet Suit includes explanations of military and government acronyms,
organizational names, terminology, and general guidance on visiting the
installation.
A YouTube video series called The
ABCs of APG – Intro to APG is in progress. The Army Alliance is developing
an informational video series to explain the missions and programs of APG,
while also providing history and other background information.
Prince George's County Economic Development Office works to strengthen
business development throughout the county and offers a variety of programs
and services to foster business retention, growth, and new investment for
businesses of all sizes. To foster regional economic stability and growth,
the staff partner with many organizations, including ALC, the
Prince George's Chamber of
Commerce, the
Maryland Department
of Commerce, the
Small Business Development Center, and the
Prince George's Economic
Development Corporation (PGEDC).
Montgomery County Economic
Development Corporation (MCEDC), established by Montgomery Council Bill
25-15, works to strengthen business development throughout the county and
offers a variety of programs and services to foster business retention,
growth, and new investment for businesses of all sizes. The office partners
with many organizations to foster economic stability, attract and retain
a highly educated and experienced workforce to provide businesses with the
talent they need to grow, and information on federal agencies in the area
for contracting opportunities; including NSA Bethesda and its tenant organizations.
The corporation partners with the
Montgomery Chamber of
Commerce, the
Maryland Department
of Commerce, and the
Small Business Development Center.
MCEDC adopted an
Economic Development Strategic Plan in April 2022, which presents a
unified vision for economic development in the county and includes target
metrics and strategies to increase business activity. The plan acknowledges
life sciences and advanced technology as economic drivers and prioritizes
recommendations to aggressively recruit and retain talent and utilize public-private
partnerships with the county's existing research assets, such as ALC.
The Economic Development team in Montgomery County's Division of Fiscal
Management also sponsors and oversees a variety of programs to help the
business community grow and bring new businesses to the county. These programs
include the Small Business Assistance Program (SBAP), Cybersecurity Supplement
Program (CSP), and the Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business
Technology Transfer (SBIR/STTR) Matching Grant Program. More information
on these and other programs is available on the
Department of Finance's website.
The National Capital
Region Transportation Planning Board (TPB) is the federally designated
Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) for the region, playing an important
role as the forum for regional transportation planning. With participation
from the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia departments of transportation
and the region's local governments, the TPB prepares intermediate-range
and long-range plans and programs that permit federal transportation funds
to flow to the metropolitan Washington region. The TPB also works to advance
safety, coordinate land use, and inform the work of decision makers. The
Metropolitan Washington
Council of Governments hosts and staffs the TPB.
The TPB adopts a four-year financial
Transportation Improvement Program, which describes the planned schedule
for distributing federal, state, and local funds for state and local transportation
projects within the region.
1 Adelphi Laboratory Center (Federal Facility). Maryland Department of the Environment.
2 U.S. Army Research Lab (ARL). Maryland Defense Agency Directory. Maryland Department of Commerce.
3 Ibid.
