The civilian head of the U.S. Navy, Secretary John Phelan, announced the establishment of the Naval Rapid Capabilities Office (NRCO), aimed at consolidating several existing wings to enhance development and problem-solving efforts. This initiative is documented in a memo dated August 19, 2023, obtained by Military Times.
The NRCO will integrate and take over the functionalities of multiple entities, including the Maritime Accelerated Response Capability Cell, Disruptive Capabilities Office, NavalX, and the Navy’s involvement in the Defense Department’s Replicator activities. According to the memo, the NRCO will be responsible for the rapid assessment, execution, and fielding of urgent solutions, ensuring U.S. maritime supremacy within a three-year timeframe.
This office is part of a broader strategy to align with former President Donald Trump’s executive order titled “Modernizing Defense Acquisitions and Spurring Innovation in the Defense Industrial Base,” which aims to expedite the defense acquisition system for effective delivery of advanced capabilities.
Phelan emphasized that the NRCO will help the Navy identify operational gaps and provide swift responses to emerging threats. The leadership of the NRCO has yet to be determined, but the director will report directly to Phelan and collaborate closely with the Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development, and Acquisition. The director will also receive direct-hire authority from the Office of Personnel Management, facilitating quicker hiring processes.
In terms of responsibilities, the new director will need to identify other organizations for absorption into the NRCO and select at least five programs to prioritize within 60 days of their appointment. All absorbed programs, such as those initiated in 2023, are recent developments.
The Maritime Accelerated Response Capability Cell was created to deliver maritime tools for conflicts, including those in Ukraine and Taiwan, while the Disruptive Capabilities Office focuses on evaluating unmanned technologies for Navy operational requirements. Additionally, the NavalX office, founded in 2019, aimed to connect sailors with innovative ideas to experts for further development and testing. The Replicator initiative seeks to innovate how the Defense Department identifies and acquires technology, initially focusing on small drones and now expanding to counter adversary unmanned systems.
Riley Ceder, a reporter at Military Times, specializes in breaking news, criminal justice, investigations, and cyber-related issues. He formerly contributed to The Washington Post as part of an investigative practicum.
