06/19/2026
Wonderful to see the next generation of naval architects being recognized right here in Annapolis. Congratulations to Midshipman Muhammad Harith and his team on a truly outstanding Capstone achievement. Naval Architecture is alive and well. 🌊⚓
18MAY26: Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering Design Award
When asked why I decided to pursue a degree in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering at the prestigious United States Naval Academy, I think of a visit I made to the Defense Services Asia (DSA) exhibition in 2022 as a Senior in high school. At the Royal Malaysian Navy booth, I was introduced to the Royal Malaysian Navy 15-5 Program in Shipbuilding, with multiple displays of the Littoral Combat and Mission Ships sparking my curiosity. At that moment, I knew I wanted to build a ship for the Malaysian Navy, or at the very least, understand the technical reasons certain designs were chosen during the procurement process.
4 years later, my team of 4 took a stab at it at the undergraduate level for our Senior Capstone Project and were awarded the Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering Design Award at the 2026 United States Naval Academy Schools of Engineering, Computing, and Weapons Awards Ceremony. Before I dive any deeper, I would like to thank my team, Jacob West, Weeks, and Williams, who stuck with me throughout the whole journey. I would also like to express our gratitude to Professor Jaye Falls, our Capstone advisor, who made this all possible.
The Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering Design Award is awarded to the team that achieved the best performance overall in applying theoretical knowledge indicated by design in their two-semester-long Senior Year Capstone Project. This award is decided by a panel of external professional naval architects, including engineers from the United States Navy Naval Sea Systems Command.
*PROJECT DETAILS*
Our team designed the Lima Class Corvette, a Patrol Vessel that supports the Royal Malaysian Navy 15 to 5 Program by improving ship life at sea, manning, and mission capabilities. We had to undergo two rigorous semesters, going through the ship design spiral and reiterating the design, including hull resistance testing in the Naval Academy Hydrolab, general arrangements, electrical loading, and propulsion selection. The end goal of the Capstone was to test our ability to complete a design spiral at the undergraduate level. Our final paper addressed many technical aspects of the vessel that made it feasible and sound, which helped us win the award. This project was advised by Professor Jaye Falls, the director of the Naval Architecture Program at the Naval Academy, as well as personnel from Austal Shipyard in Mobile, Alabama, who conducted a site visit.
Our names will be engraved in the Engineering Hall of Fame located at the Rickover Engineering Building in Annapolis, Maryland.
