Experts to Discuss Navy System Modernization at Potomac Officers Club’s 2024 Navy Summit

Systems modernization is a top priority across the Department of Defense, and the Department of the Navy is looking at digital transformation from a variety of angles. From digital transformation to training personnel and even the implementation of advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, the DON is taking a comprehensive approach to upgrading its systems.

Unlock the opportunity to learn more about the Navy’s digital transformation goals at the Potomac Officers Club’s 2024 Navy Summit on August 15! This event will feature a panel discussion, titled “Empowering Mission-System Modernization Through Technological Innovation,” in which experts will discuss how the service branch is using cutting-edge technologies to modernize its systems. Keep reading for more information on this panel.

Meet the Empowering Mission-System Modernization Through Technological Innovation Panelists

Matt Beran

Matt Beran, industry lead for global defense and intelligence programs at Appian, will moderate the panel. He will offer a perspective shaped by both military and industry experience.

Prior to assuming his current role, Beran was national security lead counsel at Systems Planning and Analysis. His career began in the U.S. Navy, where he served for 28 years in various positions, most recently division director, Code 67, in the Office of the Judge Advocate General. While holding this role, he oversaw a team of nearly 200 personnel providing legal support for senior Navy leaders.

Van Hendrey

Van Hendrey currently serves as executive director of the Navy’s Program Executive Office for Integrated Warfare Systems. She began her career in the private sector as a systems engineer before joining the Naval Sea Systems Command, where she held a variety of program management roles.

Her most recent positions include MARS program manager at the Defense Intelligence Agency, deputy program manager of mine warfare at NAVSEA and director of undersea warfare systems for the Navy.

Lt. Col. Jack Long

U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Jack Long holds the role of acting chief AI officer at the Office of Naval Research. He has spoken extensively about the DON’s relationship with modern technologies, which he said are necessary for “fighting smart.” 

During a January 2023 Navy AI event, Long described AI as “widely applicable to warfare” and something the DON and broader DOD must be able to “efficiently harness.”

“It’s important that we are ready to use it for our own purposes, whether in warfighting or corporate functions, and be ready to have it used against us,” he said.

The Future of Navy Systems

Digital Transformation

In March, DefenseScoop reported that the DON is close to finalizing a new process for identifying and piloting current and future technologies that could enable the transformation of information technology systems.

The Navy has already instituted two agile centered design concepts, or ACDCs, the first of which is the World Class Alignment Metrics. This concept provides a standardized measurement framework that connects technology and mission outcomes to inform investment decisions and IT service delivery.

Investment Horizons, the second ACDC, enables the visualization of innovation and divestment strategies as well as transparency and information sharing.

The final version of the process will include an additional component laying out a path from pilot to production.

Cybersecurity

Released in November 2023, the DON’s first-ever cyber strategy lays out a path for strengthening the security of enterprise IT and weapons systems. The DON Cyber Strategy includes two lines of effort that specifically target IT and weapons systems: defending enterprise IT, data and networks and securing defense critical infrastructure and weapon systems.

The first of these objectives includes four ways to protect IT systems:

• Identify and manage IT assets
• Deploy innovative protection measures to safeguard systems
• Rapidly detect cybersecurity incidents
• Quickly respond to cybersecurity incidents

The second identifies five ways to better protect critical infrastructure and weapons systems:

• Train personnel to respond, recover and defend
• Expand visibility and security for operational technology and industrial control systems
• Secure weapon systems and platforms
• Modernize and innovate to strengthen resiliency
• Leverage emerging technologies

Artificial Intelligence

One key technology the Navy is infusing into its modernization efforts is AI, which is listed as one of many “disruptors” in the 2024 Naval Science and Technology Strategy. During the 2024 WEST Conference jointly hosted by the U.S. Naval Institute and AFCEA International, Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Lisa Franchetti shared three use cases in which the Navy is exploring AI:

• Maintaining, repairing and delivering platforms on contract and in shipyards more efficiently and effectively
• Unmanned systems
• Connectivity, specifically within Project Overmatch, the Integrated Combat System and decision making

She also stressed the importance of making sure Navy personnel are properly trained on AI systems as they are implemented.

Navy Methods for Technological Innovation

Collaboration

The Navy has ambitious technology objectives and is highly focused on collaboration with industry and academia to help make these goals a reality.

The importance of collaboration is repeatedly highlighted in the 2024 Naval S&T Strategy, which lists “enhancing strategic partnerships” as one of its three main priorities. It is also one of seven lines of effort within the DON Cyber Strategy.

Workforce Development

Workforce is another element of technological superiority, and the Navy has zeroed in on workforce development to enhance its capabilities and prepare for future technology endeavors. In February, the Navy invested more than $50 million in workforce development and capital improvement initiatives at Bath Iron Works and Huntington Ingalls shipyards. 

Improving and supporting the cyber workforce is the first line of effort in the DON Cyber Strategy, which includes five specific areas that should be enhanced to achieve this goal:

• Recruitment efforts
• Workforce management
• Cyber talent development
• Retention efforts
• Cybersecurity awareness in the workforce

Want to get an inside look into the ways the Navy is driving systems modernization? Register for the 2024 Navy Summit and attend the Empowering Mission-System Modernization Through Technological Innovation panel!