Navy creates new robotic and autonomous systems DRPM

WASHINGTON — The Navy is establishing a new Direct Reporting Portfolio Manager for Robotic and Autonomous Systems (DRPM RAS) amid a broader shakeup to the service’s RAS leadership.

Chris Miller, who currently leads the portfolio acquisition executive (PAE) Maritime office, will serve as the acting DRPM RAS and will report to William Toti, who is currently performing the duties of undersecretary of the Navy, the service announced on Wednesday. 

The DRPM RAS position is an attempt to streamline developing and acquiring RAS capabilities across the service and the Marine Corps in line with guidance from Acting Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao, per the Navy.

“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,” Toti said in a Navy news release. “Secretary Cao has directed us to replace that model with clear accountability, faster decisions, and a relentless focus on the warfighter.”

Miller will now also serve as acting PAE RAS to lead acquisition efforts for a host of Navy and Marine Corps unmanned programs — including the Navy’s medium unmanned surface vessel (MUSV) program — replacing Rebecca Gassler. Gassler was selected to oversee the office in December when the Navy initially stood up the office.

Additional details were not provided, and the Navy did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Breaking Defense about Gassler’s departure from her post leading PAE RAS. 

The Navy is also examining whether it should transfer DRPM RAS staff from Washington to other locations “close to Fleet warfighters,” according to the service release. The review aims to determine whether doing so would bolster “collaboration with operational forces and ensure Fleet feedback remains closely connected to capability development and fielding,” the release said. 

Establishing the DRPM RAS role comes after Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth signed a memo in June establishing a DRPM for autonomy, Breaking Defense first reported. The organization oversees a series of unmanned programs including all ground vehicles, all small air vehicles, and nearly all sea vessels — but not the Navy’s medium unmanned surface vessel (MUSV) program. 

That role, known as DRPM-UxS, reports to Deputy Defense Secretary Stephen Feinberg, just like the DRPM for submarines and the DRPM for Golden Dome. 

DRPM RAS will work closely with DRPM-UxS on unmanned efforts, according to the Navy.