National Urban Security Technology Lab celebrates 70 years of service

A federal organization with a varied history as part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate is marking 70 years of service to national security’s scientific needs this month.

The National Urban Security Technology Laboratory (NUSTL) has worked under a number of different departments over the years and its mission has changed significantly. In the beginning, it served under the Atomic Energy Commission, as part of the research into the atomic bomb. At one time it was dedicated to measuring radioactive fallout during the Cold War. Today, it is conducting operational evaluations of first responder technologies.

“NUSTL provides research, testing, and evaluation capabilities that are essential to the Homeland Security Enterprise and to solving the challenges faced by the nation’s first responders,” NUSTL Director Adam Hutter said. “We are proud of our longstanding history and the impact our services have made— and we expect to be celebrating our successes for many years to come.”

The lab recently kicked off the first leg of a new program to detect, track and identify small, unmanned aerial systems for the Marine Base Urban Training Center. It actively tests and assesses technology for first responders including, as of this year, the testing and dispensement of more than 20,000 units of radiological detection equipment.

NUSTL became part of DHS in 2003–though under a different name–to support homeland security efforts by the Science and Technology Directorate.