Vice Chief of Naval Operations Emphasizes Importance of Software Factories

U.S. Navy Adm. Lisa Franchetti, vice chief of naval operations, toured the Forge software factory on Friday to meet leadership and personnel working on new combat capabilities.

Located in Riverdale, Maryland, the Forge is an initiative managed by the Program Executive Office Integrated Warfare Systems aimed at providing the service with a technological advantage over adversaries. Its focus is on surface combat systems, the Navy said Friday.

According to a press release, Franchetti witnessed the development of combat system upgrades and changes to various processes to facilitate rapid capability deployment and proliferation. She explained that building Navy operations software hinges upon workforce expertise and private-sector collaboration.

Nickolas Guertin, the White House’s nominee to serve as the Navy’s assistant secretary for research, development and acquisition and a 2023 Wash100 awardee, has noted the importance of software factories and pledged to continue supporting them. In a letter responding to queries ahead of his confirmation hearing, Guertin wrote that software factories are a key element of the service’s plan to cultivate a DevSecOps culture internally.