UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Few facilities embody the storied history of Penn State’s Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) as well as the Garfield Thomas Water Tunnel (GTWT) building, which recently celebrated its 75th anniversary.
Located at Penn State University Park, the tunnel is the U.S. Navy’s principal experimental hydrodynamic research facility. In the years since initial construction, the GTWT has provided crucial support in the areas of marine propulsor and torpedo design, biomedical research, hydrodynamic and acoustic research, and renewable energy.
During a rededication ceremony held Dec. 5, current ARL employees, alumni and advisory board members enjoyed remarks from Penn State President Neeli Bendapudi, ARL Executive Director Allan Sonsteby and ARL Deputy Director Benjamin Beck.
“The Water Tunnel is one of the great state-of-the-art facilities that powers our research enterprise — a true landmark in every sense,” Bendapudi said during her remarks.
“For 75 years, the Garfield Thomas Water Tunnel has made significant contributions to naval research, defense and security applications. We gather not only to celebrate an anniversary, but to rededicate this facility for a future of continued research, innovation and impact — a strategic investment for Penn State to continue driving innovation.”
Sonsteby concurred, noting that ARL’s legacy continues to thrive in part because of the unwavering commitment to discovery, innovation and excellence by generations of ARL employees.
“It is my distinct honor to lead this extraordinary team of people into the next frontier of research,” Sonsteby said in his remarks. “I’d like to thank past and present ARL advisory board members and University leadership for their steadfast support of our mission over the past seven and a half decades.”
First designed in 1945 and completed in 1949, the GTWT is named in honor of Lt. j.g. W. Garfield Thomas Jr., a 1938 Penn State alumnus who died in battle during World War II and was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross and the Purple Heart. He was Penn State’s first reported hero of the war.
A Historic Mechanical Engineering Landmark designated by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, the tunnel was first filled with water and began operation in March of 1950. When completed, the GTWT was the largest such facility in the country. As of 2024, it remains the second largest operating water tunnel in the United States. Measuring 48 inches in diameter, the tunnel test section holds more than 100,000 gallons of water and is powered by a 2,000 horsepower motor. The building also houses 12-inch and 6-inch diameter test section tunnels as well as a glycerin tunnel.
To take the GTWT into its next phase of advanced research, a multi-year renovation project began in January 2020. Upgrades included improvements to accessibility, safety and code compliance while improving the facility’s overall functionality. The project, completed in fall 2024, positioned the GTWT to continue its legacy of success, according to Sonsteby.
ABOUT ARL
As a University Affiliated Research Center (UARC), Penn State’s Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) supports national security, economic competitiveness, and quality of life through education, scientific discovery, technology demonstration, and transition to application. As the largest research unit at Penn State, ARL continues to do vital work for the world at large through cutting-edge research and innovation.