# Navy Launches Robotics and Autonomous Systems Center

The U.S. Navy has established the Robotics and Autonomous Systems Warfighting Development Center (RASWDC) at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story, Virginia, to accelerate the operational integration and employment of unmanned and autonomous systems across maritime domains. Led by Rear Admiral Melvin Smith, RASWDC serves as the Navy's primary operational integration point for robotic and autonomous systems, focusing on developing tactics, testing, training, and providing rapid feedback to acquisition programs. This initiative aims to bridge capability development with fleet operational needs, enhancing the Navy's unmanned warfare capabilities and supporting acquisition efforts alongside the Direct Reporting Portfolio Manager for Robotic and Autonomous Systems (DRPM RAS).

- **Why this matters:** Procurement professionals should note the Navy's increased emphasis on unmanned systems integration, signaling growing demand for robotics, autonomous technologies, and related support services.
- RASWDC's role in rapid feedback to acquisition programs indicates opportunities for contractors to engage in iterative development, testing, and deployment cycles.
- The center's location at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story, Virginia, highlights a geographic focal point for related contracts and collaboration.
- Companies specializing in maritime robotics, autonomous systems, and tactical development should evaluate how to align offerings with RASWDC's operational and acquisition priorities.

**Jurisdictions:** federal
**Industries:** Defense & Military
**Topics:** Artificial Intelligence
**Published:** September 25, 2026

### Government Entities
- U.S. Navy (Navy)
- Robotics and Autonomous Systems Warfighting Development Center (RASWDC)
- Direct Reporting Portfolio Manager for Robotic and Autonomous Systems (DRPM RAS)
- U.S. Fleet Forces Command

### Key Quotes
> RASWDC is the critical bridge between capability development and operational employment. By forging a direct feedback loop, we are accelerating the delivery of unmanned capabilities from the foundry directly to the Fleet, ensuring our forces are postured to meet any challenge.
> — Adm. Daryl Caudle, Chief of Naval Operations

> RASWDC will draw on expertise from across the Navy 	6 and across the country 	6 in places that may not always be associated with naval power, but will be increasingly important to it.
> — Rear Adm. Melvin Smith, Commander, RASWDC

> Our mandate is straightforward: educate our warfighters, equip the Fleet with tools that actually survive the environment, and develop the combined tactics to employ them decisively.
> — Rear Admiral Melvin Smith, Commander of RASWDC

### Sources
- [Navy launches Robotics and Autonomous Systems Warfighting Development Center - Breaking Defense](https://breakingdefense.com/2026/09/navy-launches-robotics-and-autonomous-systems-warfighting-development-center) - Breaking Defense
- [US Navy Launches Dedicated Robotic And Autonomous Systems Warfighting Development Center](https://oceannews.com/news/defense/us-navy-launches-dedicated-robotic-and-autonomous-systems-warfighting-development-center) - Ocean News & Technology
- [
	U.S. Navy Establishes Robotic and Autonomous Systems Warfighting Development Center > United States Navy > display-pressreleases
](https://www.navy.mil/Press-Office/Press-Releases/display-pressreleases/Article/4610570/us-navy-establishes-robotic-and-autonomous-systems-warfighting-development-cent/) - NAVY