February 11, 2026 at 5:01 PM
Navy exploring options to solve its ‘unmanned dilemma’
The service’s new warfighting directions rely heavily on the integration of surface, undersea, and aerial drone swarms across the fleet. The post Navy exploring options to solve its ‘unmanned dilemma’ appeared first on...
SAN DIEGO — As the Navy hustles to activate a hybrid, “hedge” force of manned and unmanned platforms that enhance the military’s global reach and capacity, senior officials recognize a growing need to establish a clear command structure for controlling those emerging assets. The service’s new warfighting directions rely heavily on the integration of surface, undersea, and aerial drone swarms — or robotic and autonomous systems (RAS) — across the fleet. Those plans are backed by billions in investments.
“It’s not a challenge getting this type of capability,” Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Daryl Caudle told DefenseScoop on Tuesday. “It’s a challenge making an ensemble of these types of capabilities in a meaningful way that combatant commanders and Navy component commanders can ask for in a way that solves one of their key operational problems.” The Navy’s highest-ranking officer shared new details about how his team is approaching the complexities of RAS organization and deployments during a meeting with a small group of reporters at the 2026 WEST summit.