Navy considers relocating robotic and autonomous systems staff amid broader portfolio restructuring
The Navy is establishing a direct reporting portfolio manager for robotic and autonomous systems and is considering moving RAS-focused staff out of the Washington, D.C. area, the service announced Wednesday.
The Department of the Navy is investing billions of dollars into developing and procuring a variety of uncrewed systems and AI-enabled technologies to boost the capacity and capability of the fleet and keep sailors and Marines out of harm’s way. Such tools are part of Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Daryl Caudle’s so-called “hedge strategy.”
The creation of a direct reporting portfolio manager for RAS role, modeled after a previous establishment of a DRPM for submarines, was announced by acting Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao on Wednesday evening. The position will initially be held by Christopher Miller in an acting capacity and he will report directly to the undersecretary of the Navy, the department’s No. 2 civilian. Miller will be dual-hatted as the acting portfolio acquisition executive for RAS, a role that was established last year to help the Navy better manage its capabilities from an enterprise perspective.
“The DON is also reviewing the potential relocation of DRPM RAS staff out of Washington, D.C. and closer to Fleet warfighters. The review is assessing whether such a relocation would strengthen collaboration with operational forces and ensure Fleet feedback remains closely connected to capability development and fielding,” according to a Navy press release.
The Navy did not provide official responses before publication to DefenseScoop’s query about when that review is expected to be completed, how many personnel could be affected by such a relocation, and which specific installations the Navy is considering moving staff to in a potential exodus from the nation’s capital region.
“To remain the most lethal and technologically advanced maritime force in the world, we must both improve and accelerate how we partner with industry to develop and deliver the next generation of warfighting capabilities,” Miller said in a statement included in a press release. “Success depends on ensuring operational requirements drive rapid development so we’re delivering the right solutions to the warfighter.”
The establishment of the direct reporting portfolio manager for robotic and autonomous systems is part of a “strategic restructuring” that’s intended to “tightly integrate the development, requirements, and acquisition of RAS capabilities” across the department, according to the press release.
“This marks a decisive step toward correcting years of fragmented requirements, resourcing, and acquisition practices that dispersed accountability, complicated industry engagement, and slowed delivery to the warfighter,” per the release.
The Navy also did not provide an official response respond to DefenseScoop’s request for more information about how the roles and responsibilities of DRPM RAS will be different from the roles and responsibilities of PAE RAS.
A service press release noted that the new DRPM RAS is expected to “operate in concert” with the Pentagon’s new direct reporting portfolio manager for unmanned offensive and defensive systems that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth established in late June. The DRPM UxS, as the role is known, reports directly to Deputy Defense Secretary Steve Feinberg.
