The U.S. Navy is forming an experimental squadron to inform approaches to utilize new combatant ships including unmanned surface vehicles and guided missile destroyers, USNI News reported Monday.
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Vice Adm. Rich Brown said during the Surface Navy Association’s recent symposium that the Naval Surface and Mine Warfighting Development Center would fill a critical role.
“They are cultivating the culture of experimentation, tactics and procedures that the surface navy needs in an era of great power competition,” said Brown who commands Naval Surface Forces and Naval Surface Force Pacific.
In 2015, the Navy opened the San Diego, Calif.-based center to provide the surface fleet with new tactics. Brown added that his proposed surface development squadron would support the effort if approved.
Cmdr. Patrick Evans, who serves as Brown’s spokesman, told USNI News that the vice admiral’s proposal has yet to be reviewed and receive approval from the U.S. Fleet Forces Command and U.S. Pacific Fleet.
