Lifetime Citizen Portal Access — AI Briefings, Alerts & Unlimited Follows
Nominee highlights directed energy background, backs more shipboard lasers and unmanned systems integration
Loading...
Summary
Admiral Daryl Caudle told senators he studied directed energy in graduate school, said the Navy needs to move research to shipboard fielding and committed to accelerating autonomous and directed‑energy capabilities while improving counter‑unmanned defenses.
Admiral Daryl Caudle told senators he will prioritize directed energy and autonomous systems if confirmed, citing both technical expertise and operational necessity.
Senators asked about the Navy’s Navigation Plan 2024 (NavPlan 24) priorities such as autonomous systems, an 80% surge readiness target and virtual training. Caudle said the plan “did a great job” identifying necessary capabilities but said he would emphasize sailors’ quality of life and foundry infrastructure — the piers, housing and schoolhouses that enable readiness — in addition to capability investments.
On directed energy, Caudle noted his academic background: “My master’s degree from the Naval Postgraduate School back in 1990 through ’92 was in directed energy. My thesis is on high powered lasers.” He said he has seen insufficient transition of R&D to shipboard use and pointed to the single instantiation on USS Preble as “not enough.” He described high‑power lasers as an “infinite magazine” against certain targets and said he would prioritize their shipboard integration.
Lawmakers also raised counter‑unmanned aerial system (C‑UAS) needs for installations and for ships. Caudle described working with NORTHCOM on base protection and referenced Section 1301 authorities for covered bases; he said a common operational picture and layered nonlethal and lethal options are core needs. The nominee pledged to work on acquisition authorities and delegation to speed fielding of autonomous and counter‑UAS capabilities and to push for better experimentation and rapid fielding.
Why it matters: Directed energy and unmanned systems can lower engagement costs and reduce risk to personnel, but they require procurement, testing and training changes. Senators asked for specific near‑term actions and law or policy changes to streamline acquisition and fielding.
