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NAVWAR at WEST 2025: Pioneering Agile and Bold Innovations in Multi-Domain Warfare
The WEST 2025 naval conference, co-hosted by AFCEA International and the U.S. Naval Institute, unfolded at the San Diego Convention Center from January 28-30. This premier event on the West Coast attracted numerous experts from industry and academia, all eager to dialogue with leaders from the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard. The discussions centered around evolving operational capabilities aligned with the theme, “the future is now, are we advancing operational capabilities that pace the threat?”
NAVWAR Commander Rear Adm. Seiko Okano made her debut at the conference, emphasizing her command’s dedication to equipping the Fleet with cutting-edge technologies. She participated in a panel alongside other military and industry specialists to explore the Department of Defense’s strategy in accelerating software development through the Replicator initiative. This initiative focuses on expediting the procurement of numerous autonomous systems across various domains.
Adm. Okano further elaborated on the cultural and developmental shifts required for progress, asserting that the real challenge isn’t technical, but cultural. “This isn’t a technology problem; this is a culture problem,” she stated. Highlighting the Navy’s history of technological innovation, she called for embracing outstanding industry solutions to bolster rapid innovation.
In another session, Okano discussed NAVWAR’s pivotal role in delivering innovative capabilities to the Fleet. She highlighted the shifting warfare landscape, where traditional domains are blending into multi-domain and multi-spectral conflicts. “NAVWAR is at the center of a significant shift in warfare,” Okano noted, underscoring the need for speed, agility, and adaptability.
John Pope, NAVWAR’s executive director, underscored the importance of swiftly integrating new technologies to meet the Fleet’s demands. Addressing both workforce and external partners, he urged the adoption of “audacious innovation and radical ownership” to modernize outdated equipment and processes.
The conference’s Information Warfare pavilion showcased NAVWAR’s technological prowess, featuring program offices such as NIWC Pacific, PEO Digital, MLB, and C4I on the exhibition floor. Demos contained advanced tech solutions, including a Robot Dog for ship maintenance and the R2MS tool for live virtual simulations. The latter leverages real-world data for mission planning and training, with potential enhancements via AI and ML.
Through events like PEO C4I’s Engagement Event and PEO Digital/MLB Industry Open house, over 250 companies engaged with government officials, fostering collaborations. NIWC Pacific’s executive director, Michael McMillan, stressed the urgency of building strong partnerships to anticipate and counter future threats, reflecting on the rapid changes in technology and global dynamics.
PEO Digital’s contributions were recognized during the DON Information Technology Excellence Awards. Darren Turner received accolades for his work on Flank Speed Zero Trust, a pioneering compliance effort securing extensive Navy operations. Meanwhile, Rodrick Adams of PEO MLB was honored with a Copernicus Award for bolstering cybersecurity in naval logistics operations.
NAVWAR continues its mission to elevate the Navy’s cybersecurity and information warfare capabilities by leveraging AI, ML, and industry partnerships. As warfare complexities increase, its role demands ongoing cultural shifts prioritizing collaboration and agility.
About NAVWAR: NAVWAR provides information warfighting capabilities worldwide, supporting naval, joint, coalition, and national missions across various operational domains.