As the U.S. Navy continues to integrate disruptive and emerging technologies, Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Lisa Franchetti said today that “speed is of the essence” to keep up with our nation’s global adversaries. He emphasized.
On the first day of the WEST 2024 conference in San Diego, California, co-hosted by AFCEA International and the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, Franchetti explained that there is “no time to waste” when it comes to delivering these capabilities to warfighters.
“Our adversaries are adapting new technologies. They seek to undermine our key strengths and expose weaknesses wherever possible, and they seek to develop unique combat advantages. We’re competing,” Franchetti said.
“In this rapidly changing security environment, the U.S. Navy’s warfighters, along with our Marines and Coast Guardsmen, must be the best warfighters in the world,” she added. “And we must design, develop, and provide those warfighters with the best systems, weapons, and platforms that can deter and defeat our adversaries anytime and anywhere.”
To meet these global security demands, the Navy is seeking to accelerate procurement and drive innovation within its acquisition system to get the best systems and capabilities into the hands of warfighters, Franchetti said. Told.
In addition, the services division aims to explore different ways of operating and innovate existing technologies and systems “to address the challenges we face now and in the future,” Franchetti said.
“The stakes are too high and time is too short to take any other action. We must act with urgency,” she stressed. “The Navy recognizes that speed matters, the pace of platform acquisition, modernization, sustainment, and upkeep matters, and the pace of rapidly integrating and adopting new technologies matters. .”
One way the Navy is doing just that, he said, is by “leveraging artificial intelligence, machine learning and new technologies to help shipyards maintain platforms faster, cheaper and more effectively under contract. The plan is to repair and deliver the product.
For example, the Navy is leveraging new AI tools to support situational maintenance and free up sailors for more critical missions, she said. She also uses robotics to assess the condition of materials in her fleet and uses her 3D printing onboard to rapidly manufacture replacement parts.
Additionally, he said the Navy is strengthening its traditional manned fleet “by exploring and integrating new disruptive and emerging technologies, including unmanned systems.” These unmanned systems “have great potential to augment our combat power by complementing our existing fleet,” Franchetti said.
On the procurement side, Franchetti said the Navy’s new Destructive Capabilities Office is actively working to bring new technology into the hands of warfighters.
Franchetti could not provide specific details about the new office, but said the company is investing in disruptive systems that will “give us an unparalleled advantage in future battles.”
“If we are to continue to be the Navy the nation needs, we must think, act and operate differently,” Franchetti concluded. “We must use data to evaluate and measure our progress. We must integrate disruptive and emerging technologies and unleash the creativity of America’s seafarers and America’s industry.” not.”