SECNAV Phelan orders major shakeup in Navy’s robotic, autonomous systems enterprise
Secretary of the Navy John Phelan has ordered a major reorganization focused on better managing the sea service’s acquisition of uncrewed platforms, according to a new memo.
The directive, dated Sept. 3, was posted online by the non-profit AUVSI. Sources confirmed the memo’s authenticity to DefenseScoop.
“The Department of the Navy (DON) is steadfast in its commitment to modernizing naval capabilities and maintaining technical superiority to meet the strategic demands of great power competition. To ensure our warfighters operate with the most capable unmanned systems available, we must organize with purpose and invest in mission-critical autonomy,” Phelan wrote to the chief of naval operations, commandant of the Marine Corps, assistant secretaries of the Navy and general counsel of the Navy.
The edict comes as the sea service is pursuing a “hybrid fleet” of crewed and uncrewed systems enabled by AI capabilities and other supporting technologies.
As part of the reorganization, Phelan is creating new deputy assistant secretary, program executive office and portfolio acquisition executive for robotic and autonomous systems roles.
The creation of those RAS-focused roles “represents critical reforms necessary to improve readiness, deliver lethal capability at the speed of relevance and to maximize the Navy and Marine Corps’ advantage in contested domains,” he wrote.
The Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development and Acquisition has been tasked to “immediately conduct” a 30-day sprint to develop an implementation plan and provide a “decision briefing” for Phelan.
Goals for the effort and analysis, which will be led by the principal military deputy in the RD&A office, include optimizing management of existing and planned RAS programs and acquisition activities within the Navy and Marine Corp through the consolidated program office; streamlining resourcing, requirements, acquisition activities, systems command alignment, contracting authority and cybersecurity authorities into a unified workflow for the new deputy assistant secretary, PEO and portfolio acquisition executive; and consolidating RAS-related program elements “into a minimal set of cohesive PEs,” per the memo.
The briefing is also expected to include a transition schedule for programs, program elements and the “establishment and/or disestablishment of relevant organizations, alongside a proposed organization chart and analysis of optimal geographic locations.”
Much of the Navy’s maritime drone portfolio is currently overseen by the Program Executive Office for Unmanned and Small Combatants.
The review will also look at talent and billet requirements for the shakeup.
Phelan wants a rundown of “actions to enable the [portfolio acquisition executive] to lead the development, integration, fielding and sustainment of autonomous platforms for the Hybrid Fleet, as well as to serve as a pathfinding organization for the DON to pioneer and refine the PAE concept for potential application in other capability development areas,” according to the memo.
After he receives the decision briefing, Phelan said he plans to issue follow-on direction for full implementation of the new leadership positions and offices, which are expected to reach initial operating capacity within 90 days of the issuance of the memo.
In the meantime, the SECNAV has ordered a pause on all RAS-related acquisition decisions and contracting actions — including awards and modifications — during the sprint, unless they are explicitly approved by the assistant secretary for RD&A.
Phelan’s directive comes in the wake of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s directive to Pentagon leadership on “unleashing U.S. military drone dominance.”
AUVSI president and CEO Michael Robbins praised Phelan’s move.
“To stay the world’s dominant naval force, the U.S. Navy must build a hybrid fleet that pairs crewed ships with uncrewed systems. Uncrewed surface and subsurface vehicles extend our reach, deliver asymmetric advantages, and keep sailors out of harm’s way — because robots don’t bleed. These systems are critical for power projection, logistics, and deterrence in contested waters,” Robbins said in a statement Thursday. “The dedicated RAS team creates the required structure and urgency needed to restore Congressional confidence and finally turn innovation into deployable capability. This step is long-overdue recognition that uncrewed systems are not just enabling tools, they are strategic capabilities critical to achieving the Navy’s mission in a rapidly evolving maritime domain.”
