Undersea Tech Events

The Naval Undersea Warfare Center Newport outlined the technical priorities where industry involvement is key, centered on its “Mastery of the Seas at all Depths” strategy and eleven core capability areas spanning sensing, communications, seabed warfare, autonomy, survivability, command and control, and cybersecurity.

The discussion included a review of the new Portfolio Acquisition Executive office, the Navy Rapid Capability Office and innovation cells, and the expanded use of flexible acquisition pathways such as Other Transaction Authorities—including the Innovative Maritime and Undersea Technology OTA with NUWC Newport—to reduce friction while maintaining technical rigor and delivering capability to the fleet faster.

Naval War College experts provided a frank assessment of China’s and Russia’s expanding maritime ambitions, from South China Sea tensions to Russian subsea activity in the North Atlantic and Barents Sea. They also emphasized that AI-enabled cyber threats are increasingly aimed at critical infrastructure and maritime systems, making the undersea contest as much about data and networks as platforms and payloads.

For more info, visit the Naval War College’s public analysis on China, Russia, and cybersecurity threats.

The Naval Warfare Doctrine Command wrapped up the event with an assessment of the importance of the undersea tech environment.