Category: US Navy

DRPM RAS leverages the successful and proven DRPM model first established for submarines. 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. The organization is designed to operate in concert with the Department of War’s DRPM for unmanned offensive and defensive systems (UxS).

Christopher Miller will serve as the acting DRPM RAS, reporting directly to William Toti, performing the duties of the Under Secretary of the Navy. Miller will concurrently serve as acting Portfolio Acquisition Executive RAS, mirroring the DRPM Submarine model.

“We are at an inflection point in naval warfare, and the Department has been approaching robotic and autonomous systems through arcane processes that do not deliver capabilities at the speed our Sailors and Marines need,” said Toti. “Secretary Cao has directed us to replace that model with clear accountability, faster decisions, and a relentless focus on the warfighter.”

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.

“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,” said Miller. “Success depends on ensuring operational requirements drive rapid development so we’re delivering the right solutions to the warfighter.”

The establishment of DRPM RAS marks a significant step in the DON’s effort to modernize acquisition governance and strengthen maritime deterrence.

 

 

Capt. Thomas Flaherty, commander of Submarine Squadron (SUBRON) 4, under which Virginia operates, welcomed the crew home and praised their efforts.

“The deployment of USS Virginia to the European theater underscores the critical role our undersea forces play in maintaining security and stability alongside our international partners,” Flaherty said.”The crew of Virginia executed highly demanding missions with the utmost professionalism and precision, demonstrating the elite capabilities of our fast-attack fleet. Their performance on this deployment has set a high standard for readiness, and we are incredibly proud to welcome them back to their homeport here in New London.”

Wheelis said he considered it an immense privilege to welcome the crew and their families back to Submarine Base New London after a challenging and rewarding deployment.

“This homecoming is a time to celebrate the sacrifices made by our Sailors and the support of their families and loved ones,” Wheelis said.“To the families: thank you for your patience and strength while your Sailor dedicated six months to defending our freedoms and strengthening national security. To the crew: your steadfast commitment to each other is astonishing. Keeping Virginia in the fight and ready to execute was no easy task, but your grit was unmatched and reflects great credit on this command and what the United States Navy is about.”

During the deployment, the crew successfully kept Virginiaon station through three extensive periods of national tasking in arduous and austere environments.

“My ship and my crew were consistently in the right place at the right time and ready to respond to any threat to our freedoms with overwhelming force,” Wheelis added.“As we reunite, we look forward to a period of well-deserved rest, maintenance, and time with family, while remaining ready to answer the nation’s call whenever needed. Welcome home, Virginia—I’m proud of you and your accomplishments.” While deployed, Virginiasteamed more than 36,000 nautical miles and conducted a key port visit to Tromsø, Norway.

The deployment marked major milestones for the crew: 46 personnel earned their submarine warfare devices—commonly referred to as “dolphins”—and five Sailors welcomed new babies.

Hospital Corpsman 1st Class David Griffenbergand his spouse, Molly Griffenberg were honored with the ceremonial first kiss on the pier. Chief Logistics Specialist (Submarine) Brian Boyd was awarded the ceremonial first hug with hisspouse, Sarahi Boyd.

USS Virginia is the tenth U.S. Navy vessel named for the Commonwealth of Virginia, following the most recent USS Virginia (CGN 38), a Virginia-class cruiser commissioned in 1976 and decommissioned in 1994. Previous ships to bear the name USS Virginia included the first USS Virginia of the Continental Navy, a 28-gun sailing frigate built in 1776, and the Virginia-class battleship (BB 13), commissioned in 1906. The submarine Virginia has a crew of more than 130 personnel, is more than 377 feet long, and can displace nearly 7,900 tons.

The Virginia-class of nuclear-powered fast attack submarines are designed for a broad spectrum of open-ocean and littoral missions. Fast-attack submarines are multi-mission platforms enabling five of the six Navy maritime strategy core capabilities – sea control, power projection, forward presence, maritime security and deterrence. They are designed to excel in anti-submarine warfare, anti-ship warfare, strike warfare, special operations, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, irregular warfare and mine warfare. Fast-attack submarines project power ashore with special operations forces and Tomahawk cruise missiles in the prevention or response to regional crises.

 

SEACAT 2026 is a multilateral exercise designed to enhance maritime cooperation among the participating nations and to provide mutual support in addressing maritime crises, contingencies, and illicit activities. The exercise’s shore phase in Singapore includes the newly integrated Maritime Operations (MAROPS) Forum, combining previous operations and intelligence workshops to enhance realism and collaboration, where participants will share best practices, refine integrated maritime processes, and prepare for the at-sea phase.

Concurrently, a revised Senior Leader Forum (SLF) engages senior military leaders from participating nations to share lessons learned on collective maritime challenges, improve understanding of integrated maritime operations, and participate in a capstone tabletop exercise alongside operational commanders and Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) operators.

“This year’s SEACAT marks a significant evolution in how we train and cooperate, highlighting the strength of the enduring partnerships we’ve built and our collective capability to work side-by-side in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific.” said U.S. Navy Capt. Aaron Taylor, commander, Logistics Group Western Pacific/Task Force 73. “By combining our operations and intelligence workshops into the new Maritime Operations Forum and enhancing our Senior Leader Forum, we are building a highly integrated maritime team. This enables us to collectively address modern, complex threats, ranging from unmanned systems attacks to maritime sovereignty incursions, ensuring our partners remain ready to defend regional security, protect critical sea lanes, and uphold international law.”

During the SEACAT sea phase, participating nations will practice tracking and intercepting simulated vessels sailing through Southeast Asian waters. Participating nations will work to provide real-time sensor cueing and vessel contact information to partner Operational Centers (OPCENs), Maritime Patrol Reconnaissance Aircraft (MPRA), and surface assets. By exercising these complex scenarios in real time, which include critical regional challenges such as search and rescue, illegal fishing, contraband smuggling, and maritime sovereignty incursions, SEACAT participants enhance their collective capacity to detect, deter, and counter modern maritime threats in accordance with international law.

SEACAT demonstrates shared commitments to maritime partnership, security, and stability in the Indo-Pacific. The Sixteen nations participating in SEACAT 2026, includes Bangladesh, Brunei, Canada, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Timor Leste, Tonga, UK, Vietnam, and the United States.

U.S. 7th Fleet, the U.S. Navy’s largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region.

“While many of ONR’s discoveries shaped the wider world, other less well-known breakthroughs transformed the daily lives of our Sailors and Marines on the front lines,” he said. “Having served in Iraq, Afghanistan and Somalia, my perspective is that what ONR does isn’t theoretical — it’s personal. It’s what saved our lives over there.

“For eight decades, ONR has stood at the vanguard of naval power,” Cao continued. “You’re the operational engine that transforms science fiction into tactical reality on the high seas.”

Cao gave his remarks during a special celebration honoring ONR’s 80th anniversary. Held on July 31 in the Pentagon Auditorium, the event highlighted eight decades of critical scientific and technological innovation for the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps.

In addition to commemorating historical achievements, the celebration discussed the future of integrated naval power and technological dominance — and featured more than 20 ONR technology displays on the second-floor Apex of the Pentagon’s 9th and 10th corridors.

Chief of Naval Research Dr. Rachel Riley talked about ONR’s newly released 2026 Science and Technology Strategy, which calls for a fundamental transformation of how the command prioritizes, develops and deploys technology to the Navy and Marine Corps.

Riley also introduced the CNR Fellows program. Launching this year, the fellowship brings newly tenured academic professors to ONR for a one-year term to learn about naval priorities, and provide technical oversight and state-of-the-art expertise.

“Every time I come to the Pentagon, I think about a poster here that has a George Washington quote from 1780,” said Riley. “It says, ‘There’s nothing so likely to produce peace as to be well prepared to meet an enemy.’ It speaks to the broader importance of ONR’s mission — to ensure that every U.S. Sailor and Marine, every platform within the Joint Force, is equipped with the latest and greatest technology.”

In addition to Cao, ONR’s anniversary celebration featured other prominent guest speakers:

• Adm. James Kilby, Vice Chief of Naval Operations
• Dr. Joseph S. Jewell, Assistant Secretary of War for Science and Technology
• Dr. Peter W. Singer, noted author, strategist and futurist

“For 80 years, the Office of Naval has shaped the way we fight,” said Kilby. “Long before a ship is commissioned or a capability reaches the fleet, someone had to imagine that was possible. For 80 years, that has been ONR’s mission — to look beyond today’s requirements and prepare for tomorrow’s fight.”

Jewell recalled his time as a university professor and awardee of ONR’s Young Investigator Program — and expressed gratitude for the command’s sustained support of his academic research in hypersonics.

“The innovations taking place through ONR are truly mission-driven, and support the warfighters of today and tomorrow,” he said. “The mission of ONR is paramount to our nation’s economic and national security.”

During his presentation, Singer outlined five technological areas — what he called “lineages” — in which he believes ONR has been particularly effective since its establishment in 1946:

• Unmanned systems, robotics and autonomy
• Sensor improvement and integration
• PNT, C5ISR and battlespace awareness
• Ocean science, acoustics and undersea warfare
• Troop protection, materials and human performance

“In 1946, ONR started with six basic branches, including physics, fluid mechanics, aviation and physiology,” said Singer. “From that structure, ONR has taken into areas that now extend from cyber to autonomy to directed energy. Entire departments are named after words that didn’t even exist in 1946. That shows an organization evolving and changing the very lexicon of human scientific and military capability.”

Warren Duffie Jr. is a contractor for ONR Corporate Strategic Communications.

About the Office of Naval Research

The Department of the Navy’s Office of Naval Research provides the science and technology necessary to maintain the Navy and Marine Corps’ technological advantage. Through its affiliates, ONR is a leader in science and technology with engagement in 50 states, 55 countries, 634 institutions of higher learning and nonprofit institutions, and more than 960 industry partners. ONR, through its commands, including headquarters, ONR Global and the Naval Research Laboratory in Washington, D.C., employs more than 3,800 people, comprising uniformed, civilian and contract personnel.

 

 

Marking the first time a Marine Expeditionary Unit has navigated the canal since 2008, this large-scale maneuver is a demonstration of the Marine Corps’ capacity for rapid global mobility, maritime dominance, and seamless power projection.

Since its completion, the Panama Canal has served as a vital strategic pathway for the United States and its allies. The canal allows naval vessels to rapidly shift between the Atlantic and Pacific theaters, saving weeks of travel around South America. Navigating this critical maritime shortcut ensures the U.S. military can maintain a flexible, responsive posture — surging ships and troops to meet emerging crises across hemispheres without delay.

“This historic transit is a powerful testament to the flexibility and readiness of Littoral Combat Force-24,” said Col. Ryan Lynch, the commanding officer of LCF-24. “Our ability to seamlessly navigate this critical waterway alongside our Navy partners aboard the USS San Antonio demonstrates our capability to rapidly project power and respond to crises anywhere in the Southern Command area of responsibility. We are ready to operate straight from the sea, at a moment’s notice.”

The transit serves as a validation of the Littoral Combat Force concept and the modern Marine Air-Ground Task Force. It proves LCF-24’s ability to navigate narrow waterways and project assets ashore without relying on established military basing, underscoring the Marine Corps’ enduring role as the nation’s premier force-in-readiness, perfectly calibrated for contested littoral regions.

The foundation of this capability is the unbreakable teamwork between the Navy and the Marine Corps. The interoperability displayed by the Marines of LCF-24 and the Sailors of the USS San Antonio highlights a fully integrated naval force supporting Combatant Commander objectives.

By moving fluidly through the canal, the Blue-Green team proves its unrestricted access to the U.S. Southern Command area of responsibility, which spans Central and South America, and the Caribbean. Whether tasked with humanitarian disaster relief, bolstering regional partnerships, or deterring aggression, this force can reach anywhere in the region to deliver tailored, decisive effects.

The 24th MEU’s transit of the Panama Canal proves that the Navy-Marine Corps team remains prepared to respond as America’s 9-1-1 force in any clime and place.

 

Over the course of the two-week mission stop, the U.S. Navy’s largest annual multinational humanitarian and disaster preparedness mission in the Indo-Pacific enabled PP26 personnel composed of approximately 150 U.S. service members, together with Australian Defence Force, Canadian Armed Force, German Armed Force, and Singapore Armed Force service members, to work alongside the Indonesian National Armed Forces (Tentara Nasional Indonesia), Indonesian experts and civilians across four lines of effort: engineering, disaster management, host nation outreach, and medical.

“This mission has been about more than training and engagements; it has been about people,” said U.S. Navy Lt. Macswayne Muralt, the officer in charge of the Indonesia Pacific Partnership 2026 mission stop. “As an American of Indonesian-Chinese heritage, it has been a privilege to work alongside our TNI and Indonesian partners, strengthening the relationships that help our communities prepare for future challenges together.”

While in Indonesia, the U.S. Navy Seabees, assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 5 and Amphibious Construction Battalion 1, U.S. Army soldiers assigned to the Hawaii National Guard’s 230th Engineer Company, and TNI engineers conducted new construction of a two-classroom building at National Elementary School #158309 and classroom renovations at National Elementary School #158490. Their combined efforts improved public infrastructure, directly increasing students’ learning capabilities.

“Executing these new construction and renovation projects alongside our Army National Guard and TNI partners highlights our ability to seamlessly integrate diverse technical capabilities,” said U.S. Navy Lt. Cmdr. Michael Hamilton, mission engineer for PP26. “From the first block laid to the final coat of paint applied, this mission represented a unified, team effort. Missions like this reflect the core of why we serve, leaving a lasting, positive impact on a community while strengthening our operational bonds.”

The disaster management team conducted a five-day urban search and rescue vertical lane rescue and patient evacuation training on Sibolga Naval Base, held a two-day disaster response planning at the Sibolga mayor’s office, and a two-day culminating field training exercise at Pandan General Hospital. The culminating exercise simulated a hospital fire and a ship collision designed to improve international interoperability and rehearse critical coordination between military forces and civilians. The hands-on, practical exercise consisted of a simulated building collapse, mass casualty drill, water rescue, and on-scene treatment and evacuation of casualties.

“It was a great experience to work with our TNI counterparts and Indonesia’s national-level first responders,” said U.S. Army Capt. Nathanael Wrye, PP26 disaster management line of effort (LOE) lead for the Indonesia mission stop. “These evolutions allowed us all to explore the individual capabilities of TNI and first responders to react to specific scenarios that can occur during disasters and increase our collective ability to develop plans and strategic outlook.”

Beyond technical and tactical exchanges, the mission stop featured host nation outreach events focused on community engagement and youth education. The Pacific Partnership Band performed a series of public concerts at local venues and school grounds, bringing together hundreds of residents through music.

“Music connects people instantly. It cuts across language and culture in a way nothing else does. The students were the highlight of this mission stop, hands down,” said U.S. Navy Lt. Joel Thiesfeldt, Pacific Partnership band master. “When kids who don’t speak your language are singing and dancing along with you, that’s cultural outreach doing exactly what it’s supposed to do: bringing our nations closer together.”

The medical team conducted a total of 79 engagements, consisting of seven veterinary exchanges, seven community health engagements, and 65 subject matter expert exchanges across the disciplines of nursing, dental, midwifery, general surgery, emergency medicine, internal medicine, and ophthalmology. PP26 medical personnel engaged with local professionals to enhance mutual medical capabilities and strengthen long-term capacity.

“We had great collaborative engagements with our host and partner nations in subject matter exchanges and side-by-sides,” said U.S. Navy Lt. Cmdr. Matthew Squires, PP26 medical LOE lead for the Indonesia mission stop. “The opportunity to share and exchange knowledge from our specialists to the community of health professionals is a truly rewarding experience. I realized working here that health is a universal language. No matter what culture, religion, language, or place we come from, our shared experiences broke down barriers and we found common ground in finding different solutions for similar challenges.”

Following the ceremony, Pacific Partnership personnel prepared to embark aboard the Royal Australian Navy Bay-class landing ship dock HMAS Choules (LSD 100) to continue the mission of strengthening regional security, enhancing cooperation, and improving disaster preparedness across the Indo-Pacific.

Now in its 22nd iteration, the Pacific Partnership series is the largest annual multinational humanitarian assistance and disaster management preparedness mission conducted in the Indo-Pacific. Pacific Partnership works collaboratively with host and partner nations to enhance regional interoperability and disaster response capabilities, increase security and stability in the region, and foster new and enduring friendships in the Indo-Pacific.

For updates and multimedia from Pacific Partnership 2026, follow #PacificPartnership, #PP26, and #PacificPartnership26 on social media or visit: DVIDS’s Pacific Partnership.

 

 

“The Naval War College is a place where military leaders can learn how to use AI to optimize their effectiveness as warfighters,” said NWC President Rear Adm. Darryl Walker. “AI can provide crystal clear battlespace awareness and lightning-fast calculations to assist operational and tactical commanders so they can move faster and more decisively. The forces who master AI will be the most successful in conflict deep into the future.”

Dr. Amanda Rosen, professor of teaching and learning at the NWC’s Teaching Excellence Center, said the July 31 conference started conceptually as a small gathering of faculty to share best practices amongst themselves. But after she sent out a request to determine interest among colleagues, she received 15 volunteers to present and many more – from not only the Naval War College, but from other U.S. professional military institutions – to attend. “Interest just kept growing and growing and now we have 265 (registered to take part),” she said.

Rosen – who is organizing the July 31 conference alongside Dr. Curtis Bell of NWC’s International Programs Department, Dr. Chris Demchak of the Cyber and Innovation Policy Institute (CIPI) and Teaching Excellence Center Director Dr. Kimberly Moreland – said AI can be tasked with coding, role-play simulations, research, and translation, in addition to the more basic editing and schedule management.

“For initial users, a lot of it is about efficiency and offloading menial tasks,” she said. “But it goes beyond that. It also allows us to do things we were never able to before.”

Rosen said Bell pointed out that before AI, anyone could come up with a good idea, but putting those good ideas into practice would often require so much labor or specialized expertise that those innovations would never get past the drawing board.

“We are moving from a period where AI is increasing our efficiency to a place where it’s increasing what is even possible,” she said.

During the faculty conference, sessions were held on AI in adaptive learning, class discussion preparation, design and execution of academic courses, security and multiple talks on the technology’s role in wargaming.

On day earlier, during the student workshops on July 30, talks were held on cybersecurity and law as they pertain to AI, among other topics.

Facilitated by U.S. Navy Cmdr. Jonathan Durham of the Joint Military Operations Department, speakers for the student sessions included representatives of the war college’s Maritime Advanced Warfighting School (MAWS), the military’s Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office, the Office of the Judge Advocate General and others.

Established in 1884, NWC informs today’s decision-makers and educates tomorrow’s leaders by providing educational experiences and learning opportunities that develop their ability to hedge aggressively, innovate continuously, fight distributively, delegate confidently, and command with clarity within complex battlespaces.

Submarine Squadron 20 Deputy for Training, Cmdr. Luke Kelvington, has temporarily assumed command of West Virginia (B).

The submarine is currently in port conducting a maintenance repair period. The relief of the CO does not impact the ship’s mission or schedule.

Sammur assumed command of USS West Virginia (B) on August 14, 2025. He has been temporarily reassigned to Submarine Group 10.