Navy Weighs Creating Robotic Autonomous Systems Commander

Amid push to integrate unmanned vessels into the fleet, the Navy is considering a new command role to oversee these capabilities.

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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The U.S. Navy is considering establishing a new robotic autonomous systems (RAS) commander role to oversee the integration of unmanned vessels and capabilities across different domains, according to Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Daryl Caudle. Caudle said the RAS commander would coordinate these systems to achieve mission objectives for strike group commanders, though the details of the new role are still being worked out.

Why it matters

As the Navy increasingly relies on unmanned systems, establishing a dedicated RAS commander could help streamline the command and control of these capabilities across air, sea, and cyber domains. This reflects the Navy's broader push to embrace unmanned technology and find ways to effectively employ these systems alongside traditional manned platforms.

The details

Caudle said the RAS commander would be similar to a joint task force commander focused solely on robotic and autonomous systems. While RAS capabilities are currently organized by domain, a RAS commander could coordinate them across domains to support strike group objectives. Caudle acknowledged the Navy is in a "discovery phase" of determining how to properly integrate and employ these unmanned systems within the existing command structure.

  • On February 10, 2026, Adm. Caudle discussed the potential RAS commander role at the WEST 2026 conference in San Diego.

The players

Adm. Daryl Caudle

Chief of Naval Operations who unveiled plans for a robotic autonomous systems (RAS) commander role to oversee the Navy's unmanned capabilities.

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What they’re saying

“This RAS commander, if you will, knows how to command and control these packages of unmanned capabilities to achieve the mission outcomes that the strike group commander may want.”

— Adm. Daryl Caudle, Chief of Naval Operations (breakingdefense.com)

“We're in this discovery phase of how we actually just now assemble command and control of these forces through the administrative chain of command so we can actually fill, maintain, sustain and train sailors to actually bring these kind of capabilities to bear.”

— Adm. Daryl Caudle, Chief of Naval Operations (breakingdefense.com)

What’s next

The Navy is still working out the details of the potential RAS commander role, including how it would fit into the existing command structure and how these unmanned capabilities would be integrated across domains.

The takeaway

The Navy's consideration of a dedicated RAS commander highlights the service's efforts to adapt its command and control structures to effectively leverage the growing role of unmanned systems in naval operations. This reflects a broader shift in military technology and the need for new organizational models to manage emerging capabilities.