Naval Support Activity Crane

Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division (NSWC Crane), located in Crane, Indiana is a shore command of the U.S. Navy. NSWC Crane is under the Naval Sea Systems Command headquartered in Washington DC.

The mission of NSWC Crane is to provide acquisition engineering, in-service engineering and technical support for sensors, electronics, electronic warfare and special warfare weapons. NSWC Crane also works to apply component and system-level product and industrial engineering to surface sensors, strategic systems, special warfare devices and electronic warfare systems, as well as to execute other responsibilities as assigned by the Commander, Naval Surface Warfare Center.

The focus of NSWC Crane is Harnessing the Power of Technology for the Warfighter. It specializes in total lifecycle support in three focus areas:

• Expeditionary Warfare
• Strategic Missions
• Electronic Warfare

Located on the third largest naval installation in the world, NSWC Crane’s total focus is to support the Warfighter by leveraging its technical capabilities for the rapidly changing combat environment.  Anchored by technical expertise, a strong work ethic and total lifecycle leadership, NSWC Crane’s personnel and preeminent facilities set the standard for excellence in acquisition, engineering and sustainment.  NSWC Crane provides comprehensive support for complex military systems spanning design, development, deployment and sustainment in three focus areas:  Electronic Warfare, Strategic Missions and Expeditionary Warfare.

NSWC Crane’s skilled professionals put technical solutions directly into the hands of the Warfighter, ensuring safer missions.  Our broad customer base includes the Navy, Marine Corps, Army, Air Force, United States Special Operations Command, Coast Guard, NASA, and many other military, civilian, and foreign military organizations.

NSWC Crane is one of Indiana’s largest high-tech employers with over 3,800 employees of which 2,500 are scientists, engineers and technicians. 

In the 1960s, NSA Crane came under the command of the newly established Naval Ordnance Systems Command and began providing technical support for weapons systems including logistics, in-service engineering, repair, overhaul, and design. In the years that followed, Crane’s support included batteries, rotating components, electronic components, failure analysis, and standard hardware and new technologies related to night vision systems.

In 1974, Crane came under the Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) that was established from the merger of the Naval Ordnance Systems Command and Naval Ship Systems Command. Shortly after in 1975, Crane’s name was changed to the Naval Weapons Support Center, which more accurately reflected the true function of the installation.

In 1977 the tenant command, Crane Army Ammunition Activity (CAAA) was established. CAAA subsequently took over the loading, assembly and storage of ammunition at the installation. Crane’s name was changed again in 1992 to Crane Division, Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC), whose mission is to provide acquisition and in-service engineering and technical support for sensors, electronics, electronic warfare and special warfare weapons.

In 2004, Naval Support Activity Crane officially stood up as the installation command, charged with ensuring quality support allowing NSWC Crane, CAAA, and other tenant commands to remain focused on their engineering, ammunition and logistics missions. Today grown from its ordnance roots, Crane is recognized worldwide as a modern leader in diverse and technical products aimed at meeting the needs of today’s warfighter in the defense of the nation. 

More than 5,000 DoD civilian and contractor personnel work at Naval Support Activity Crane. With a military population of less than 50 personnel, NSA Crane is predominately a civilian installation. NSA Crane is the third largest naval installation in the world by geographic area and the closest community is the small town of Crane, which lies adjacent to the northwest corner of the facility.

Crane Population: 178 (2018)

Workforce:

• Approximately 3600 Navy Employees
• 127 Doctorates, 653 Masters, and 1746 Bachelors
• 64.5% Scientists, Engineers and Technicians  

Naval Support Activity Crane, located in Crane, IN, includes over 3,000 buildings and more than 98 square miles (64,000 acres). Naval Support Activity (NSA) Crane is a naval facility located in southwestern Indiana, approximately 25 miles southwest of Bloomington, Indiana, and 75 miles south of Indianapolis, Indiana.

Arriving from Indianapolis International Airport

If you are arriving by plane, from Indianapolis International Airport, we have a Military Information Detachment located in the USO Lounge. Located in the lower level of the terminal near Baggage Claim 3 in Room 10T. 109 and is open daily from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. ET.

From South Louisville KY

• I-65 North to IN-60 toward Salem (Exit 7)
• Follow IN-60 to Salem Bypass (25.2 miles)
• Turn right onto Salem Bypass (2.1 miles)
• Turn left onto IN-56 W (3.2 miles)
• Turn right onto IN-60 W (21.8 miles)
• Turn right onto IN-37/IN-60 W 
• Continue to follow IN-37 N (7.8 miles)
• Use right lane to take the IN-37 ramp to US-50 E – Bloomington/Indianapolis
• Continue on IN-37 (6.1 miles)
• Turn left onto IN-54 W/ E State Road 58 W (5.3 miles)
• Turn left onto E SR 58 W (15.8 miles)
• Stay straight at 4-way stop
• Turn left onto US 231
• Turn left onto IN- 558 
• Follow IN-558 E approximately 1 mile.
• NSA Crane Visitor’s Center is located on the left at 103-furlong street Crane, IN 47522

 From East Columbus, IN

• Head south on I65 for approximately 20 miles.
• Take ramp to IN-11 S, Turn right on IN-258 to Community Drive.
• Turn right on US-50 W and travel approximately 30 miles.
• Take IN-37 N for approximately 2 miles and turn left onto IN-58 W.
• Follow IN-58 for approximately 5 miles, turn left at junction to continue on IN-58.
• Travel approximately 17 miles to US-231.
• Turn left onto US-231 S for 1 mile then turn left on IN-558 E.
• Follow IN-558 E approximately 1 mile.
• NSA Crane Visitor’s Center is located on the left at 103-furlong street Crane, IN 47522

 From North Indianaoplis, IN

• Head south on IN-37 S/S Harding Street toward W Thompson Road.
• Continue to follow IN-37 S approximately 45 miles.
• Keep left to continue on I-69, follow signs for Evansville.
• Travel 27 miles and take Exit 87 toward US-231 S.
• Turn left onto US-231 for 1.2 miles.
• Turn left on IN-558 E.
• Follow IN-558 E approximately 1 mile.
• NSA Crane Visitor’s Center is located on the left at 103-furlong street Crane, IN 47522

From South Evansville, IN

• Head north on I69 for approximately 90 miles.
• Take Exit 87 to US-231 S.
• Turn right onto US-231 S, travel approximately 1.2 miles, then turn left onto IN-558 E.
• Follow IN-558 E approximately 1 mile.
• NSA Crane Visitor’s Center is located on the left at 103-furlong street Crane, IN 47522

From West Terre Huate, IN

• Head east on I70 towards Indianapolis.
• US 41 SOUTH TO IN-54 (Linton)
• IN-54 E to US-231 S.
• US-231 S for 10 miles then turn left on IN-558 E.
• Follow IN-558 E approximately 1 mile.
• NSA Crane Visitor’s Center is located on the left at 103-furlong street Crane, IN 47522

Indianaoplis Airport to NSA Crane

• From the airport follow the signs to I-465 S.
• Take I-465 S approximately 7 miles to IN-37 S.
• Take IN-37 S approximately 43 miles to IN-45 S.
• Keep left to continue on I-69, follow signs for Evansville.
• Travel 27 miles and take Exit 87 toward US-231 S.
• Turn left onto US-231 for 1.2 miles.
• Turn left on IN-558 E.
• Follow IN-558 E approximately 1 mile.
• NSA Crane Visitor’s Center is located on the left at 103-furlong street Crane, IN 47522

Currently there is no base transportation. Taxi and Uber are available outside the Indianapolis International airport.