01 Takeaways Up Front
The Navy stood up a fleet command on Sept. 24 to test, train and certify its drones.
The same day, the Navy's new drone buying office was set to brief industry on its next contracts.
The Navy plans to buy 83 medium drone boats through fiscal 2031.
The Navy established the Robotic and Autonomous Systems Warfighting Development Center on Sept. 24 at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story in Virginia Beach. The center, known as RASWDC, reports to U.S. Fleet Forces Command.
According to the Navy, the center will run operational tests, write doctrine and tactics, build advanced training, and certify air, surface and undersea drones for deployment. It will also send performance data back to developers and program managers.
"RASWDC is the critical bridge between capability development and operational employment," Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Daryl Caudle said in the release.
Rear Adm. Melvin R. Smith is the first commander. He is a submariner who commanded USS Jimmy Carter (SSN 23) and has led Submarine Group 2 since June 2025.
The same afternoon, the Navy's new drone acquisition office was scheduled to hold its first industry day in Washington. The notice listed the Maritime Marketplace and a Phase II solicitation for medium unmanned surface vessels, or MUSVs, as topics.
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