John Phelan Archives

Navy Secretary John Phelan and Palantir CEO Alex Karp unveil ShipOS in Washington D.C. on Dec. 9, 2025. (Photo by DefenseScoop)

How the new Navy-Palantir ‘ShipOS’ partnership is informed by Project Maven

Senior officials shed new light on the effort to equip U.S. shipyard workers with "software Iron Man suits."

Dec 23, 2025 By Brandi Vincent

US President Donald Trump leaves after announcing the US Navy’s new Golden Fleet initiative, unveiling a new class of warships, at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida, on December 22, 2025. President Donald Trump on December 22 announced a new class of heavily armed warships that will be named after himself — an honor usually reserved for US leaders who have left office. (Photo by ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS / AFP via Getty Images)

Trump, Navy leaders reveal plans for new battleships armed with nukes, lasers, railguns and hypersonic missiles. Analysts anticipate problems.

Their ambitious vision for the platform could run into a variety of technological and budgetary challenges, analysts say.

Dec 23, 2025 By Jon Harper

Then-Rear Adm. Seiko Okano along with other NAVWAR leadership spent two days at Naval Information Warfare Center (NIWC) Atlantic meeting with NIWC Atlantic leadership and touring the facilities to learn more about the capabilities offered. (DVIDS PHOTO 05.20.2025 Photo by Joseph Bullinger)

Navy’s new Rapid Capabilities Office pursues disruption, with caution

“I actually think we have to be more disciplined,” Vice Adm. Seiko Okano told DefenseScoop.

Dec 15, 2025 By Brandi Vincent

Hung Cao, nominee to serve as under secretary of the Navy, attends his Senate Armed Services Committee confirmation hearing in Dirksen building on Thursday, June 26, 2025. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call via Getty Images)

Hung Cao tasked with modernizing Navy’s IT, business systems

The new undersecretary of the Navy has been given a wide-ranging portfolio.

Oct 7, 2025 By Jon Harper

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (May 23, 2025) The Secretary of the Navy John Phelan at the U.S. Naval Academy’s class of 2025 graduation and commissioning ceremony at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. (U.S. Navy photo by Stacy Godfrey)

SECNAV Phelan orders major shakeup in Navy’s robotic, autonomous systems enterprise

Secretary of the Navy John Phelan issued a new memo Wednesday to department leaders.

Sep 4, 2025 By Jon Harper

Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Launch/Recovery Equipment) 2nd Class Diangelo Watson, from Jonesboro, Georgia, assigned to air department’s aircraft launch and recovery division, signals for an aircraft to take off on the flight deck of Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) in the Pacific Ocean, Nov. 9, 2024. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class August Clawson)

Despite proposed cuts, Navy requirements for F/A-XX next-gen fighter ‘still valid,’ Joint Chiefs chairman says

The future of the the Navy's sixth-gen fighter remains uncertain as lawmakers support robust funding for the program while the Trump administration tries to slash spending in…

Jun 12, 2025 By Jon Harper

The Secretary of the Navy, the Hon. John C. Phelan, is piped aboard the world’s largest aircraft carrier, USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), April 10, 2025. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Alexander Casco)

Navy gearing up for more DOGE-related cuts

Secretary of the Navy John Phelan said he's looking forward to further efforts from the Department of Government Efficiency

Jun 2, 2025 By Jon Harper

The unmanned surface vessel (USV) Ranger from Unmanned Surface Vessel Division One (USVDIV-1) returns to its homeport, Naval Base Ventura County, in Port Hueneme, California, concluding Integrated Battle Problem (IBP) 23.2, Jan. 15, 2024. (U.S. Navy photo by Electronics Technician 2nd Class Gavin McKenna)

Navy to brief industry on plans for new robotic ship program

The Navy is getting ready to lay out the service’s vision, objectives, program schedule and technical requirements for a Future USV program.

May 19, 2025 By Jon Harper

Secretary of the Navy John Phelan visits Marine Forces Special Operations Command on Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, April 10, 2025. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Evan Jones)

Navy Secretary Phelan terminates IT contracts, grants amid DOGE drive

The IT contracts axed by the SECNAV include those for the Naval Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (NMRO) program.

Apr 25, 2025 By Jon Harper

Secretary of the Navy John Phelan greets crewmembers attached to the fast-attack submarine USS Iowa (SSN 797) during a commissioning ceremony in Groton, Connecticut, April 5, 2025. (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Petty Officer Joshua Karsten)

Navy reviewing contracts as Secretary Phelan looks to eliminate waste, ‘inefficiencies’

John Phelan made his first major speech as Navy secretary Wednesday and laid out his priorities.

Apr 9, 2025 By Jon Harper