West 2019: US Navy looks to stand up innovation cell
Building on lessons learned from experiences with organisations like Sofwerx, the US Navy is pursuing a ‘NavalX’ concept to facilitate procurement actions incorporating innovative ideas and concepts across the broader service.
The organisation was outlined by James Geurts, Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development and Acquisition, during a keynote address at this week’s West 2019 event in San Diego, California.
Pointing to his Sofwerx experiences as the former USSOCOM acquisition executive, Geurts described efforts to stand up a NavalX innovation cell. Sofwerx is designed to support and accelerate acquisition efforts at USSOCOM.
Explaining that the vision is
Our news & analysis is now part of Defence Insight®
A Basic-level or higher Defence Insight subscription is now required to view this content.
More from Naval Warfare
-
![UK’s Type 31 frigate balances cost pressure with long-term export ambition]()
UK’s Type 31 frigate balances cost pressure with long-term export ambition
The UK shipbuilder’s full-year results to the end of March revealed the impact of the £140 million charge linked to design changes and rework on the Royal Navy’s Type 31 frigate programme.
-
![US Navy expands non-standard acquisitions to rapidly field emerging technologies]()
US Navy expands non-standard acquisitions to rapidly field emerging technologies
The US Navy is increasing the use of OTA obligations to accelerate the procurement of seabed-subsea, littoral, expeditionary and uncrewed solutions.
-
![Can Portugal solve NATO’s uncrewed systems development challenge?]()
Can Portugal solve NATO’s uncrewed systems development challenge?
NATO has spent more than a decade building one of the world’s most sophisticated maritime uncrewed experimentation ecosystems, but still lacks a way to translate this testing into alliance-wide operational capability. Portugal now believes it has the answer.
-
![Eurosatory 2026: Schiebel’s frigate-first strategy indicates a shift in UAV competition]()
Eurosatory 2026: Schiebel’s frigate-first strategy indicates a shift in UAV competition
Schiebel is pursuing opportunities in the UK and France while leveraging its integration with Naval Group’s FDI frigate programme to create new naval business across Europe.
