
Fed Gov Today Autonomy Adrift: Why the Navy’s Uncrewed Fleet Is Stuck in Port
Jun 29, 2025
Timothy Walton, a Senior Fellow at the Hudson Institute, delves into the Navy's challenges with its uncrewed fleet. He highlights the stark disconnect between strategic vision and budget realities, emphasizing gaps in funding. Walton discusses the necessity for innovative vessel designs and real-world testing to meet modern warfare demands. The conversation also touches on advancements in autonomous technologies and the need for collaboration to tackle cybersecurity threats, stressing that effective solutions require adaptability and new methodologies.
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Recurring Cost and Schedule Delays
- Many Defense Department business programs face cost overruns and schedule delays regularly.
- The median cost increase is $173 million and the median delay is 15 months, revealing systemic issues.
Adopt Agile Practices and Tools
- Use Agile software development practices diligently in defense IT projects.
- DoD requires tools like cumulative flow diagrams and burndown charts to track software development progress.
Mandate Cybersecurity Strategies
- Every major defense program must have an approved cybersecurity strategy.
- Neglecting cybersecurity planning puts programs at serious risk despite constant emphasis from DoD leadership.

