About this Unit
Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division Keyport, commonly referred to as NTS Keyport (Naval Torpedo Station Keyport), was established in 1914 in Keyport, Washington, to serve as a torpedo overhaul and testing facility for the U.S. Navy. Over the decades, its mission expanded to include research, development, and testing of undersea warfare systems, including torpedoes, unmanned underwater vehicles, and mine countermeasures. During World War II and the Cold War, Keyport played a crucial role in advancing undersea weaponry technology and supporting fleet readiness. Today, NUWC Division Keyport remains a vital center for undersea warfare expertise, supporting the Navy’s technological edge and operational effectiveness in maritime domains.
Historical Facts
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Origins in World War I: Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division, Keyport, known historically as Naval Torpedo Station (NTS) Keyport, was established in 1914 to support the development and maintenance of torpedoes for the U.S. Navy during World War I.
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Nickname – “Torpedo Town, USA”: Keyport earned the nickname “Torpedo Town, USA” due to its central role in manufacturing, testing, and repairing naval torpedoes throughout the 20th century.
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World War II Expansion: During World War II, the facility expanded dramatically, employing thousands of workers and playing a critical role in supplying torpedoes for the Pacific Fleet.
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Innovative Underwater Testing: NTS Keyport operates a 3,300-acre test range in Puget Sound, one of the largest freshwater ranges for underwater weapons testing in the United States.
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Home of the U.S. Navy’s First Torpedo Recovery Vessel: The USS Retriever (YTM-387), a specially designed torpedo recovery vessel, was commissioned at Keyport, revolutionizing how the Navy retrieved and reused practice torpedoes.
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Submarine Rescue Advances: Keyport personnel have been instrumental in developing and maintaining submarine rescue vehicles, including the Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle (DSRV) program.
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Historic Undersea Museum: The U.S. Naval Undersea Museum, located at Keyport, houses one of the nation’s premier collections of torpedoes, submersibles, and undersea technology artifacts.
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Environmental Stewardship: Keyport is recognized for its environmental initiatives, including wildlife habitat restoration and contamination cleanup, earning multiple Department of Defense Environmental Awards.
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Women in the Workforce: During WWII, the facility was one of the first in the Navy to employ large numbers of women in technical and engineering roles, many of whom contributed directly to torpedo production.
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Modern Mission: Today, Keyport’s mission includes supporting sophisticated undersea warfare systems, unmanned undersea vehicles, and providing maintenance and logistics for allied navies around the world.
