# Navy Appoints Rucker to Lead Ship Acquisition

On November 4, 2026, Acting Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao appointed Rear Adm. Jonathan Rucker to lead Portfolio Acquisition Executive Maritime, which oversees surface-ship requirements, design, construction, delivery, and sustainment. The appointment puts a new leader over the Navy’s surface-ship acquisition portfolio; the announcement did not identify a new solicitation or contract. Separately, the signals cite Hanwha Defense USA’s $269 million Medium Landing Ship construction award, underscoring an active shipbuilding opportunity area.

- Rucker’s portfolio spans surface ships across the fleet, including carriers, combatants, and auxiliary vessels. Contractors should evaluate how their capabilities align with future surface-fleet requirements and shipbuilding priorities.
- Hanwha Defense USA’s reported **$269 million** Medium Landing Ship award provides a concrete program reference for companies assessing construction and related supply-chain opportunities.
- The Navy describes the leadership change as intended to strengthen accountability and accelerate shipbuilding; the appointment itself does not establish a new procurement requirement or contract timeline.

**Jurisdictions:** federal
**Industries:** Defense & Military
**Topics:** Physical Infrastructure
**Published:** November 05, 2026

### Government Entities
- U.S. Navy (USN)
- Portfolio Acquisition Executive Maritime (PAE Maritime)

### Vendors
- Hanwha Defense USA (Awardee; received a construction award for a Medium Landing Ship)

### Key Quotes
> Admiral Rucker is the right leader at the right time to bring accountability to and accelerate our American shipbuilding system.
> — Hung Cao, Acting Secretary of the Navy

### Sources
- [Navy appoints Rucker as new PAE Maritime lead - Breaking Defense](https://breakingdefense.com/2026/11/navy-appoints-rucker-as-new-pae-maritime-lead) - Breaking Defense
- [
	Acting Secretary of the Navy Appoints Rear Admiral Jonathan Rucker to Lead Portfolio Acquisition Executive (PAE) Maritime > United States Navy > display-pressreleases
](https://www.navy.mil/Press-Office/Press-Releases/display-pressreleases/Article/4641144/acting-secretary-of-the-navy-appoints-rear-admiral-jonathan-rucker-to-lead-port/) - NAVY