Indian Head Naval Facility Awarded $18.7M For New Contained Burn Site

INDIAN HEAD, Md. — Naval Surface Warfare Center Indian Head will receive $18.7 million in federal funding to build a new contained burn facility used to safely dispose of unexploded ordnance, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Angela Alsobrooks announced Tuesday, Nov. 25. The project is part of more than $670 million secured for military installations across Maryland in the fiscal year 2026 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies funding bill.

The new facility will allow NSWC Indian Head to conduct disposal operations in a more environmentally responsible way. The funds were included at the senators’ request and were enacted as part of the government funding agreement approved earlier this month.

The proposed Contained Burn Facility at Naval Surface Warfare Center Indian Head Division allows for a viable, more environmentally friendly alternative to treat energetic waste and munitions that result from installation mission operations. As the Navy’s arsenal, our command has been at the forefront of naval munitions production since 1890. We remain committed to our critical role in national defense: supplying the warfighter with the tools needed to win the fight and safely return home,” said Josh Phillips, acting director of corporate communications for NSWC Indian Head Division.

The project follows findings outlined in a 2025 Department of the Navy study evaluating safe and more environmentally responsible alternatives to open burn disposal operations.

“Maryland is the proud home to critical military installations as well as hundreds of thousands of servicemembers, civilian employees, and veterans,” Van Hollen said. “We fought to secure federal investments in this legislation to advance important military projects across our state, boost health care and other services for our veterans, and more.”

Alsobrooks said the project supports both military readiness and environmental stewardship.

“I am proud to announce essential funding for Maryland included in the Fiscal Year 2026 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Funding Bill,” she said. “This funding includes building a contained burn facility at Naval Surface Warfare Center Indian Head to support our environmental goals as well as critical funding for veterans, especially those experiencing homelessness in our state.”