The annual Surface Navy Association Symposium is where BIG NAVY gathers together to contemplate high level fleet issues with top leadership.  Thanks to COVID (never thought I’d say that!) this year’s conference was virtually available to anyone with a computer and a credit card.   The Chief of Naval Operations started off the week and was followed by outstanding presentations from all the major Naval leaders.  I’ve tried to capture some of the highlights here:

• Each leader explained how they are aligning their mission areas to the recently released Tri-Service Advantage at Sea Strategy and the NAVPLAN 2021 (previously detailed in OODA posts).
• Throughout the week, there was a relentless, steady drumbeat against the disruptive impact of China’s modernization and operations – well outside the first island chain. While Russia was also identified as a concern, most of the focus was on INDOPACOM, reinforcing the need to keep our operational forces FORWARD, and “returning to great power competition”.
• Our “beloved” Littoral Combat Ships (LCS’s) are continuing to challenge the Navy to find ways to make them useful in the Fleet. Of course, no one dares say this out loud, but it’s obvious from the speeches:  “We are making them work”… “We are starting to find ways to use them better”… “We are improving their functionality”.
• There is great hope and optimism for the new Constellation Class (frigates) to bring more open ocean fighting power. Finally, a new REAL ship. Expect to see construction start in FY22.
• Integrating unmanned vessels (air, surface, subsurface) is solidly in everyone’s plan for the future. We are waiting for the release of the new Unmanned Systems Campaign Plan promised out “soon”.  Rumor is, there are some issues getting everyone to agree on the details, particularly the manned-unmanned teaming concepts.  The strong commitment, however, from Navy to develop and maintain a 500-ship Navy requires a mix of both manned and unmanned. Can’t get there any other way.
• Budgets are expected to be a constant source of stress for the Navy, especially as it pays for the expensive MUST-FUND Columbia Class Submarine (key to the U.S.’s nuclear deterrence triad as the Ohio Class submarines reach end of life). Expect that anything that doesn’t show a clear connection to joint-all-domain-lethality risks defunding.
• There has been NO MISSION IMPACT from COVID. To date, only 3,000 positive cases have been identified in the entire Navy.  (Pretty impressive, we had 3000 positive cases in my small state of South Carolina… YESTERDAY!).

Admiral Grady from Fleet Forces Command summed it up really well: “There are three types of Navy: The Navy the nation needs, the Navy the nation can afford, and the Navy the nation will have when the fighting starts”.  Obviously, a lot of maneuvering and horse-trading goes on behind the scenes to ensure the delta between them is small.

About the Author

Chris Ward

Chris Ward (Commander, U.S. Navy (Retired)) has over 30 years of experience helping the Department of Defense (DoD) solve difficult technology requirements. She has a proven track record of building, maintaining, securing and certifying technology solutions for use within DoD. She works with Industry to identify key opportunities and provides strategic guidance and support. She is a strategic analyst and cybersecurity professional who has deep expertise in improving enterprise cybersecurity.