US Navy Secretary: Robotics Warfare Specialist Rating to Advance Hybrid Fleet Capabilities

The U.S. Navy’s new robotics warfare specialist rating signals a focus on developing expertise in autonomous warfighting systems, according to the service’s top civilian official.

At the Navy League’s annual Sea-Air-Space conference, Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro, a past Potomac Officers Club event speaker, highlighted the rating as essential to the service’s goal of a “truly hybrid” fleet and maintaining warfighting excellence in a rapidly evolving landscape, Defense News reported.

RWs will be responsible for operating and maintaining advanced robotic and autonomous systems used in the Navy operations. The new rating also makes the Navy the first U.S. military branch to create a dedicated enlisted workforce specifically for RAS technologies.

Active-duty sailors between the ranks of E-4 and E-9, particularly servicemen with experience in unmanned vehicle divisions or related Navy enlisted classification codes, are eligible to convert to the RW rating.

The first Navy-wide robotics warfare advancement exam will launch in September for E-5 and E-6 sailors, while senior ranks will complete the selection process in 2025.