The U.S. Navy will abolish the unmanned warfare systems directorate, OPNAV N99, and integrate several drone programs with domain-based directorates as part of the reorganization of the chief of naval operations office, USNI News reported Wednesday.
Megan Eckstein writes Adm. Bill Moran, vice chief of naval operations, announced the reorganization in an email sent Tuesday to all flag officers.
“This reorganization is the next step in the Navy’s ongoing process to mainstream the complementary warfighting effects of manned and unmanned warfare systems,†Lt. Jackie Pau, a spokeswoman for the Navy, told USNI News.
The service branch will incorporate N99 into the director of warfare integration (OPNAV N91) led by Rear Adm. Pete Fanta, Eckstein reports.
Fanta’s office will manage unmanned systems integration, oversight and acquisition processes in collaboration with resource sponsors and acquisition program executives.
Pau noted that drone-related programs of record that will move to other directorates include sensor-hosting autonomous remote craft, heterogeneous collaborative unmanned systems and unmanned platforms rapid prototyping, experimentation and development, according to the report.
