Marines assigned to the 4th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, successfully concluded the Marine Corps’ first series of live-fire first-person view attack drone flights in South Korea Aug. 5.  

This historic training series marks a significant milestone in force modernization, demonstrating the Marine Corps’ ability to field emerging technologies in the Western Pacific rapidly. The series featured two distinct training events: an inaugural range conducted July 30 by the 3rd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, followed by a second iteration Aug. 5 by the 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment. Both are forward-deployed units to the Pacific region under the unit deployment program.

Throughout the training series, Marines used the Neros Archer drone to execute precise anti-armor and anti-personnel explosive strikes. With an effective range of approximately 20 kilometers, this technology extends the tactical influence of small units far beyond traditional squad-level infantry weapons, allowing Marines to conduct precision strikes from positions of relative safety.  

“Training with these FPV drone systems with deployed Marines, on a live-fire range and in a unique environment allows us to get one step further toward integrating it into real-world operations,” said Marine Corps 1st Lt. Evan Brace, a company executive officer with the 3rd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion. “We learn what works, and most importantly, what needs to be worked on and refined, so that when the time comes to use the Neros Archer on the battlefield, we have perfected the craft.”  

This training increases the 4th Marine Regiment’s tactical proficiency with drones in offensive and defensive scenarios, extending traditional marksmanship into the unmanned domain. Small drone platforms like the Neros Archer give Marines at the squad and platoon level a modern, cost-effective alternative to many larger firing platforms that are not organic to smaller units.

“Equipping our Marines with FPV attack drones give us a useful tool that provides an additional kinetic option for us to use,” Brace said. “This capability allows units down to the fireteam level to possess organic, precise fires capable of shaping their battlespace.”  

Conducting this live-fire series on the Korean Peninsula required a comprehensive safety and airspace structure. The 4th Marine Regiment worked in close coordination with the U.S. Army’s 8th Army, 2nd Infantry Division and the 2nd Combat Aviation Brigade to establish the necessary regulatory frameworks in conjunction with South Korea. Before each live-fire execution, Marines conducted rigorous dry-fire safety rehearsals and built-in procedural checks to validate protocols for high-explosive drone training iterations.  

“Many of the obstacles we encountered before conducting this training, since it was the first of its kind here in Korea, were overcome through a mission-focused mindset and through close cooperation and coordination with our Korean allies,” Brace said.  

By rapidly adapting to the demands of the future operating environment and validating these systems alongside the joint force and regional allies, the 4th Marine Regiment continues to ensure that the 3rd Marine Division remains a highly capable, ready and survivable forward-deployed force, uniquely postured to safeguard regional stability. This training aims to enable and expand opportunities for future joint and allied FPV attack drone training.  

We are not just upgrading our tactics, we are building a faster, smarter and deadlier team capable of standing shoulder to shoulder with our South Korean allies, ready to dominate any modern battlefield.”

“The Neros Archer live-fire training proves that when we hand cutting-edge attack drones to our young Marines, they rapidly adapt, turning small units into highly lethal, self-sufficient precision strike forces,” said Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Ismael Bamba, senior enlisted leader, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Korea. “By mastering this technology, we are not just upgrading our tactics, we are building a faster, smarter and deadlier team capable of standing shoulder to shoulder with our South Korean allies, ready to dominate any modern battlefield.”  

There will always be countless firsts when implementing any new technology, Brace said.  

“This training is significant because it is the first series of FPV attack drone flights conducted by U.S. Marines in South Korea,” he said. “I’m proud that my team of professionals and I are able to play a small part in moving the needle forward when it comes to employing this emerging technology.”

ARLINGTON, Va. — HII announced today long-term performance-based production agreements with High-Yield Production Robotics (HYPR) team members GrayMatter Robotics and Path Robotics. The signed agreements are designed to accelerate the development and deployment of advanced physical AI automation across U.S. Navy shipbuilding programs, including aircraft carriers, submarines, destroyers, amphibious ships, future frigates and unmanned surface vessels.

“We are committed to making generational investments to develop new shipbuilding capability and to expand capacity,” said Eric Chewning, executive vice president of maritime systems and corporate strategy at HII. “Together, we are defining a new approach to robotics in shipbuilding: automation that can adapt to extreme levels of complexity, mix, and size. This collaboration represents a strategic investment in the future of American shipbuilding — strengthening industrial base resilience, expanding distributed shipbuilding capacity, feeding critical materials to our shipyards and workforce, and unlocking new production efficiencies essential to delivering the Navy’s growing fleet.”

Under the agreements, HII intends to award up to $900 million in total shipbuilding work to Path Robotics and GrayMatter Robotics across seven years, contingent on the two companies meeting clearly defined technology and manufacturing readiness, and performance milestones outlined in the agreements. This sustained demand signal enables Path Robotics and GrayMatter Robotics to make significant long-term investments in robotics, autonomous systems, facilities and workforce required to deliver Navy-grade production at scale.

“For years, we’ve believed physical AI could fundamentally change manufacturing,” said Andy Lonsberry, CEO and co-founder of Path Robotics. “HYPR is a powerful validation of our vision — that physical AI can scale shipbuilding capacity in one of the world’s most demanding production environments. Together with HII, we’re proud to be building the shipyard of the future, unlocking distributed shipbuilding, and establishing a blueprint for strengthening America’s maritime industrial base.”

“This agreement represents an important milestone in bringing Factory SuperIntelligence to America’s leading shipbuilding company,” said Ariyan Kabir, CEO and co-founder of GrayMatter Robotics. “By combining Physical AI with autonomous production systems, we’re helping create manufacturing that learns, adapts, and improves over time, making complex shipbuilding faster, more resilient, and more scalable.

Together with HII and Path Robotics, we’re laying the foundation for the next generation of American industrial capability and helping ensure that the United States can build critical assets at the speed and scale our national security demands.”

The performance-based production agreements are part of a broader set of strategic agreements that form the HYPR Program, including collaboration and joint development frameworks that establish governance, program execution, and long-term operational alignment among the companies. The companies expect the collaborative effort to push the boundaries of automation never seen before in shipbuilding.

The agreements are structured in two stages: a Navy-grade development stage and a delivery stage. In the development stage, both companies will partner with HII to develop, validate and qualify high-precision production techniques for autonomous welding, grinding, blasting, painting, assembly, inspection and other fabrication processes, then integrate them into an autonomous production line. The agreements establish a rigorous testing, qualification and oversight process to ensure that every technology meets the stringent standards of U.S. Navy shipbuilding. In the delivery stage, HII will begin sourcing shipbuilding work from both companies through the new line, contingent upon favorable cost, schedule and quality performance. The delivery stage is designed to augment HII’s current distributed shipbuilding strategy, starting with small steel structures and growing to include units and modules.

In 2026, HII plans to outsource more than 2.5 million hours of shipbuilding work, a 30% increase from 2025, while expanding its structural assembly network of assembly partner companies, enabling more work to be completed outside the shipyards before final assembly.

Panama’s National Aeronaval Service welcomed key leaders from Mexico, Ecuador, Colombia and the United States during the pre-sail conference for Exercise Panamax 2026, Aug. 3.

The biennial exercise is one of the largest military exercises in the Western Hemisphere. This year’s iteration will continue until Aug. 13 and includes six maritime vessels operating in the Eastern Pacific region as part of the Pacific Task Force: the U.S. Coast Guard cutter Robert Ward, the Panamanian coastal patrol boat Panquiaco and coastal patrol boat Taboga, the Colombian navy coastal patrol vessel Isla Gorgona, the Ecuadorian navy missile corvette Bae Loja and the Mexican navy offshore patrol vessel Arm Jalisco.

“Major prerequisites to achieving this objective include practicing our ability to transit offshore in company, to communicate effectively to each other and shore command, and to perform complex missions in an integrated manner,” said Coast Guard Cmdr. Patrick Frost, Coast Guard Southwest District deputy chief of enforcement.

Frost, who is serving as the Pacific Task Force commander, said Panamax 2026 includes 19 countries and is critical because it allows the partner nations to practice functions necessary to protect the canal.

To facilitate this proficiency, exercise participants will conduct various training scenarios designed to unite the coalition as they exercise joint communications, maneuvers and tactics.

During the pre-sail conference, Panamanian maritime officials welcomed the command teams of the four visiting ships.

“Today, in this 2026 edition of Panamax, we confirm our commitment to a broader and even more adapted vision of the threats that we have in the 21st century,” said Panamanian Lt. Cmdr. Eduardo Batista, acting commander of Panama’s National Aeronaval Service’s naval command. “This exercise constitutes an opportunity, with great value, to strengthen the interoperability of our forces, to improve our operational procedures and to elevate our capacity to respond in the face of transnational threats and cyberspace challenges.”

Frost highlighted the importance of the regional partners, as they are allies in the fight against cartels across the Western Hemisphere.

“These partner nations are clearly demonstrating a rock-solid commitment to this multinational concept, and the collaboration between the various country representatives is significant,” he said.

Panamax began with three countries in 2003 to improve interoperability and strengthen collective capacity to conduct complex multinational and all-domain operations to ensure the free flow of commerce through the Panama Canal and maintain security and stability in the region.

NAVAL STATION MAYPORT, Fla. — Freedom-variant littoral combat ship USS Wichita (LCS 13) departed Naval Station Mayport, Aug. 7, to participate in Operation NANOOK TUUGAALIK 2026, the maritime component of Canada’s premier Arctic exercise.

Operating alongside naval forces from Canada, Denmark, and France, Wichita will strengthen interoperability with allied and partner nations while conducting advanced maritime operations across the Labrador Sea, Davis Strait, and Greenlandic fjords. The deployment reinforces shared commitments to regional security, freedom of navigation, and stability throughout the North Atlantic and Arctic.

“Operation NANOOK TUUGAALIK provides an exceptional opportunity to train alongside our closest Allies in one of the world’s most strategically important maritime regions,” said Cmdr. Richard Dunn, commanding officer of Wichita. “Our Sailors are prepared to operate in the High North, strengthen allied interoperability, and demonstrate the professionalism and adaptability that define the U.S. Navy.”

Throughout the exercise, Wichita will participate in maritime domain awareness operations, search and rescue scenarios, tactical maneuvering, and integrated naval training designed to improve multinational coordination in Arctic and sub-Arctic environments.

Operation NANOOK is the Canadian Armed Forces’ signature Arctic operation and demonstrates the collective ability of Allied and partner nations to operate together in the High North. The annual TUUGAALIK maritime phase enhances readiness through realistic training that strengthens interoperability, improves maritime awareness, and reinforces the rules-based international order.

As part of the U.S. Navy’s forward maritime presence, Wichita’s participation reflects the United States’ enduring commitment to Arctic security and cooperation with Allies and partners in an increasingly strategic region.

Reactivated in 2018, U.S. 2nd Fleet commands assigned maritime forces across the western and eastern Atlantic and the Arctic, employing combat-ready naval forces to defend the maritime approaches to the United States, strengthen NATO interoperability, and deter aggression alongside Allies and partners.

WASHINGTON — Acting Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao today announced the establishment of the Direct Reporting Portfolio Manager for Robotic and Autonomous Systems (DRPM RAS), a strategic restructuring to tightly integrate the development, requirements and acquisition of RAS capabilities across the Department of the Navy. 

DRPM RAS leverages the successful and proven DRPM model first established for submarines. This marks a decisive step toward correcting years of fragmented requirements, resourcing, and acquisition practices that dispersed accountability, complicated industry engagement, and slowed delivery to the warfighter. The organization is designed to operate in concert with the Department of War’s DRPM for unmanned offensive and defensive systems (UxS). 

Christopher Miller will serve as the acting DRPM RAS, reporting directly to William Toti, performing the duties of the Under Secretary of the Navy. Miller will concurrently serve as acting Portfolio Acquisition Executive RAS, mirroring the DRPM Submarine model. 

“We are at an inflection point in naval warfare, and the Department has been approaching robotic and autonomous systems through arcane processes that do not deliver capabilities at the speed our Sailors and Marines need,” said Toti. “Secretary Cao has directed us to replace that model with clear accountability, faster decisions, and a relentless focus on the warfighter.” 

The DON is also reviewing the potential relocation of DRPM RAS staff out of Washington, D.C. and closer to Fleet warfighters. The review is assessing whether such a relocation would strengthen collaboration with operational forces and ensure Fleet feedback remains closely connected to capability development and fielding. 

“To remain the most lethal and technologically advanced maritime force in the world, we must both improve and accelerate how we partner with industry to develop and deliver the next generation of warfighting capabilities,” said Miller. “Success depends on ensuring operational requirements drive rapid development so we’re delivering the right solutions to the warfighter.” 

The establishment of DRPM RAS marks a significant step in the DON’s effort to modernize acquisition governance and strengthen maritime deterrence.

MAYPORT, Fla. — U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet is hosting the Combined Force Maritime Component Command (CFMCC) portion of the annual exercise PANAMAX from Aug. 3-12.

Exercise PANAMAX 2026 is a U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM)-sponsored exercise that provides crucial training opportunities for partner nations to build the capability to plan and conduct complex multinational operations. PANAMAX enables allies and partner nations to advance the development and implementation of standard operating procedures for multinational operations. Under multiple scenarios involving both asymmetric and conventional threats, coalition forces will work together in support of shared regional interests.

“Securing the Western Hemisphere requires seamless cooperation and a unified effort between partner nations,” said Sardiello. “PANAMAX strengthens effective hemispheric command and control so that our combined forces can effectively secure strategic key terrain like the Panama Canal. Safeguarding this maritime crossroads is not just a regional defense priority, but a cornerstone of global economic stability.”

More than 150 Sailors, Marines, and public security forces from 19 separate nations will serve on the CFMCC staff under the leadership of U.S. Navy Rear Admiral Carlos Sardiello, Commander USNAVSOUTH.

This year’s exercise is designed to conduct stability operations in support of a fictitious United Nations Security Council resolution. It provides intensive interoperability training for participating multinational staff and builds partner nation capacity to plan and execute complex operations.

“PANAMAX 2026 is an unparalleled opportunity for partner nations to sharpen their tactical edge and deepen interoperability,” said Mr. Patrick Cooper, Lead Planner for PANAMAX 2026. “This exercise rigorously tests our integration, ensuring our combined forces are fully prepared for any future shared endeavors. In addition to the operational gains, the personal connections made among our partners in the AOR will pay dividends for a generation.”

PANAMAX delivers unique, simulated training opportunities incorporating scripted, event-driven scenarios to maximize interoperability. These scenarios address key aspects of combined operations, such as technology standardization and shared operating procedures.

PANAMAX began in 2003 with three countries—Chile, Panama, and the United States—focusing solely on the maritime security of the Panama Canal. Since that time, it has grown to become the region’s largest coalition command post exercise, ensuring the defense of one of the most strategically and economically crucial pieces of infrastructure in the world.

As the exercise host for the Joint Force Maritime Component Command, USNAVSOUTH/4th Fleet supports SOUTHCOM’s joint and combined military operations. By employing maritime forces in cooperative security operations, the command maintains access, enhances interoperability, and builds enduring partnerships to promote peace, stability, and prosperity throughout the Caribbean, Central, and South American regions.

Vice Adm. James P. Downey was relieved of his dual-hatted role as Portfolio Acquisition Executive Industrial Operations (PAE IO) by Rear Adm. Todd Weeks and as Commander, Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) by Rear Adm. Pete Small during a joint change of office and command ceremony on the Washington Navy Yard, Aug. 6.

Admiral James W. Kilby served as the ceremony’s presiding officer and highlighted Downey’s extensive contributions to fleet readiness and the Navy’s acquisition enterprise.

Downey served as Commander of NAVSEA since January 2024 and was selected to serve as the inaugural PAE IO upon its establishment in March 2026. His dual-hatted tenure coincided with a major Department of the Navy initiative to reform warfighting acquisition.

The reform consolidated duties previously performed by NAVSEA and other legacy commands into empowered, single accountable executive portfolios to make disciplined, cradle-to-grave decisions across cost, schedule, and performance.

“What we do and how we treat people matters,” said Downey. “This legacy strengthens the Navy and all of us who ready the ships that our warfighters take to sea,” said Downey. “So, as you press forward, set your steady course by the stars that matter most: Our Sailors our Marines, our government and industry Civilians and contractors. Set your course by our mission. It is noble and enduring.”

Rear Adm. Todd Weeks takes the helm as interim PAE IO following his recent assignment as Director, In-Service Submarines and Industrial Base for the Director Submarine Programs. His previous flag assignments include Program Executive Officer (PEO) Strategic Submarines, and PEO Undersea Warfare Systems.

As interim PAE IO, Weeks will provide unified leadership over the four Naval Shipyards and seven Regional Maintenance Centers. Serving as the Navy’s single, accountable office for ship and submarine depot maintenance, PAE IO’s non-negotiable mission is to deliver combat-ready ships and submarines back to the fleet on schedule.

“I am incredibly humbled to take the helm as the interim PAE IO and to build upon the foundational successes achieved under Vice Adm. Downey’s leadership,” said Weeks. “Our focus moving forward is on driving discipline, transparency, and predictability across our shipyards and maintenance centers. By empowering our workforce and eliminating systemic barriers, we will strengthen our industrial base to ensure we are consistently positioning our fleet for warfighting readiness.”

During his tenure leading a global workforce of 90,000 personnel and managing a $55 billion annual budget, Downey championed a culture of servant leadership that broke down bureaucratic silos and drove historic improvements in fleet readiness. Under his Command, the Enterprise achieved a 30 percent increase in submarine maintenance throughput, reduced work stoppages by 40 percent, spearheaded a historic breakthrough in Navy financial auditability, and led the Navy’s rapid salvage response to the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse.

Following the change of office and change of command, Downey is slated to retire after 40 years of distinguished and dedicated service to the U.S. Navy.

Vice Adm. James P. Downey was relieved of his dual-hatted role as Commander, Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) by Rear Adm. Pete Small and as Portfolio Acquisition Executive Industrial Operations (PAE IO) by Rear Adm. Todd Weeks during a joint change of office and command ceremony on the Washington Navy Yard, Aug. 6. 

Admiral James W. Kilby served as the ceremony’s presiding officer and highlighted Downey’s extensive contributions to fleet readiness and the Navy’s acquisition enterprise. 

Downey served as Commander of NAVSEA since January 2024. 

“What we do and how we treat people matters,” said Downey. “This legacy strengthens the Navy and all of us who ready the ships that our warfighters take to sea. As you press forward, set your steady course by the stars that matter most: our Sailors, our Marines, our government and industry civilians and contractors. Set your course by our mission. It is noble and enduring.” 

Rear Adm. Pete Small assumes acting command of NAVSEA following a dual-role assignment as NAVSEA’s Chief Engineer and NAVSEA Deputy Commander for Naval Systems Engineering since June 2024, and as Commander, Naval Surface and Undersea Warfare Centers since June 2025. 

Serving as a vital link between the technical community and warfighters, Small facilitated close coordination between NAVSEA Engineering and the warfare centers. 

Under his leadership, NAVSEA accelerated the delivery of new technologies, sustainment solutions, and engineering support to program offices, depots, and fleet customers, directly aligning with the command’s mission to accelerate force generation and fleet readiness. 

“I am honored to take the helm of this fantastic organization and to continue the progress we’ve made to accelerate force generation and deliver readiness in support of our Fleet and Acquisition partners,” said Small.  

During Downey’s tenure leading a global workforce of 90,000 personnel and managing a $55 billion annual budget, he championed a culture of servant leadership that broke down bureaucratic silos and drove historic improvements in fleet readiness. Under his command, the NAVSEA Enterprise achieved a 30 percent increase in submarine maintenance throughput, reduced work stoppages by 40 percent, spearheaded a historic breakthrough in Navy financial auditability, and led the Navy’s rapid salvage response to the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse. 

Following the change of office and change of command, Downey is slated to retire after 40 years of distinguished and dedicated service to the U.S. Navy.

PEARL HARBOR — Military Sealift Command Combat Logistics Force ships have concluded their support for Rim of the Pacific 2026, the world’s largest international maritime exercise.

Since mid-June, the fleet replenishment oiler USNS Guadalupe (T-AO 200) and dry cargo/ammunition ship USNS Washington Chambers (T-AKE 11) delivered nearly 8 million gallons of diesel marine fuel, more than 2 million gallons of JP-5 aviation fuel, and over 600 pallets of food, dry stores, mechanical parts and mail to 30 participating navies through 76 replenishments-at-sea evolutions.

With limited ability to refuel while in-port, the MSC CLF ships received their own fuel via consolidated cargo operations with the chartered tanker MT Torm Thor, which delivered nearly four million gallons during the exercise. The tanker replenishment events allowed the CLF ships to remain on station, providing logistic services to exercise participants as needed, without delay.

While moving cargo is a day’s work on an MSC CLF ship, the RIMPAC operations tempo is unlike a regular day, where a ship may service one or two ships. During RIMPAC, the CLF ships serviced nine ships a day, with underway replenishments (UNREP) conducted simultaneously on both port and starboard sides.

Recognizing potential communication barriers when working with foreign crews, MSC personnel proactively built relationships with participating sailors before getting underway. Officials noted that these early personal connections successfully bridged the language gap, ensuring smooth and efficient subsequent replenishment evolutions.

MSC coordinated closely with Commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet and Commander, Task Force 173 throughout the exercise. The MSC Representative at Pearl Harbor managed pier space, cargo loadouts and scheduling for the replenishments. Five members of Military Sealift Command Pacific’s (MSCPAC) Headquarters Unit served as watch standers for CTF 173, providing comprehensive planning and coordination for each UNREP conducted during the exercise, including arranging and coordinating rendezvous locations and times for MSCs CLF ships and the MSC chartered tanker. In addition, nine Strategic Sealift Officers (SSO) also participated, with five SSOs supporting CTF-173 operations and four serving as liaisons between military commanders and civilian merchant vessels.

Hosted biennially by Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet (PACFLT), and executed by C3F, RIMPAC is a multinational maritime exercise that takes place in and around the Hawaiian Islands. Thirty nations, 30 surface ships, five submarines, 15 national land forces, more than 197 aircraft, and more than 30,000 personnel participated in RIMPAC from June 24 to July 31. As the world’s largest combined and joint maritime exercise, RIMPAC provides a unique training opportunity that strengthens interoperability and fosters trust, cooperation, and shared values among allies and partners. These relationships contribute to the security of sea lanes and support a free and open Indo-Pacific. RIMPAC 2026 marked the 30th exercise in the series, which began in 1971.

ST. CHARLES, Mo. — The U.S. Air Force has awarded Boeing a $75 million Undefinitized Contract Action to acquire the BSU-111/B Payload Delivery Unit Joint Direct Attack Munition Long Range (JDAM LR), a precision-guided munition that can travel over 300 nautical miles with a 500-pound class (226-kilogram) payload.

The UCA follows Boeing’s nearly $100 million internal investment in the program and clears it for initial production of PDUs for the U.S. Navy.

JDAM LR combines the proven JDAM guidance tail kit and aircraft interface with a wing kit and compact turbojet engine to provide long-range capability for precision conventional land strike, naval strike and maritime aerial-mining missions. By leveraging existing JDAM infrastructure, it enables high-volume production and rapid integration with any aircraft capable of carrying conventional JDAM. Boeing is an industry leader in affordable precision-guided munitions and continues to invest in derivative capabilities to meet customers’ current and future needs.

“This first production contract is a major milestone for the JDAM LR program, demonstrating our ability to deliver long-range precision-strike capability at a significantly lower cost,” said Bob Ciesla, vice president of Boeing Precision Engagement Systems. “Scaling production of the GBU-75 will provide the fleet with an affordable, sustainable solution designed to eliminate long-range land and sea-based threats to U.S. and international forces and enable them to safely and effectively operate in a contested battlespace.”

The system recently completed its first flight test off the coast of California, meeting the objectives of sustaining powered flight on a predefined test profile and using military-code GPS navigation while maintaining consistent guidance directly to its target.

“JDAM LR gives operators an affordable, mass-producible option for striking targets from beyond the effective range of enemy defenses,” said Ciesla.