U.S. Navy removes drone program head, restructures autonomous systems acquisition
On August 5, 2026, the U.S. Navy removed Rebecca J. Gassler as head of its Robotic and Autonomous Systems (RAS) portfolio after just eight months, citing fragmented acquisition practices. The Navy established a new Direct Reporting Portfolio Manager for RAS, with Christopher Miller as acting lead. The restructuring follows federal lawsuits filed July 14 by Blue Water Autonomy and Saildrone, alleging improper exclusion from the Medium Unmanned Surface Vessel program due to the Navy’s failure to follow its own rules.
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Navy removes head of drone program Rebecca Gassler after 8 months, restructures autonomous systems acquisition
The U.S. Navy removed Rebecca J. Gassler from her position as Portfolio Acquisition Executive for Robotic and Autonomous Systems on August 5, 2026, just eight months after her appointment in December 2025. The service simultaneously announced the establishment of a Direct Reporting Portfolio Manager for Robotic and Autonomous Systems (DRPM RAS) to address fragmented requirements and acquisition practices. Christopher Miller will serve as acting DRPM RAS and take over Gassler's former role, reporting directly to William Toti. The restructuring follows a federal lawsuit filed on July 14 by defense technology companies Blue Water Autonomy and Saildrone, who allege they were improperly excluded from the Navy's Medium Unmanned Surface Vessel Family of Systems program. Gassler also served as Deputy Director for Project Overmatch, a position she retains. The Navy cited the need for faster decision-making and clearer accountability to deliver capabilities to warfighters.
Navy removes head of drone program after 8 months, restructures autonomous systems acquisition
The U.S. Navy removed Rebecca J. Gassler from her position as Portfolio Acquisition Executive for Robotic and Autonomous Systems (RAS) on August 5, 2026, just eight months after her appointment in December 2025. Concurrently, the Navy established a new Direct Reporting Portfolio Manager for Robotic and Autonomous Systems (DRPM RAS) to address fragmented requirements and acquisition practices. Christopher Miller will serve as acting DRPM RAS and assume Gassler's former role, reporting directly to William Toti, performing the duties of the under secretary of the Navy. The restructuring follows a federal lawsuit filed on July 14 by Blue Water Autonomy and Saildrone, who allege they were improperly excluded from the Navy's Medium Unmanned Surface Vessel (MUSV) acquisition program. Acting Navy leadership cited the need for faster decisions and clear accountability to deliver capabilities to warfighters.
Navy removes head of drone program Rebecca Gassler after 8 months, restructures autonomous systems acquisition
The U.S. Navy removed Rebecca J. Gassler from her position as Portfolio Acquisition Executive for Robotic and Autonomous Systems on August 5, 2026, just eight months after her appointment in December 2025. Concurrently, the Navy announced the establishment of a Direct Reporting Portfolio Manager for Robotic and Autonomous Systems (DRPM RAS) to address fragmented requirements and acquisition practices. Christopher Miller will serve as acting DRPM RAS and take over Gassler's previous role, reporting directly to William Toti, performing the duties of the under secretary of the Navy. The restructuring follows federal lawsuits filed on July 14 by defense technology companies Blue Water Autonomy and Saildrone, alleging they were improperly excluded from the Navy's Medium Unmanned Surface Vessel (MUSV) Family of Systems program due to the Navy's failure to comply with its own acquisition requirements. Gassler also served as Deputy Director for Project Overmatch, a position she continues to hold.
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Navy removes head of drone program Rebecca Gassler after 8 months, restructures autonomous systems acquisition
The U.S. Navy removed Rebecca J. Gassler from her position as Portfolio Acquisition Executive for Robotic and Autonomous Systems on August 6, 2026, just eight months after her appointment in December 2025. The Navy simultaneously announced the establishment of the Direct Reporting Portfolio Manager for Robotic and Autonomous Systems (DRPM RAS) to address fragmented requirements and acquisition practices. Christopher Miller will serve as acting DRPM RAS and assume Gassler's former role, reporting directly to William Toti. The restructuring follows a federal lawsuit filed on July 14 by defense technology companies Blue Water Autonomy and Saildrone, who allege they were improperly excluded from the Navy's Medium Unmanned Surface Vessel (MUSV) program after the Navy failed to comply with its own acquisition requirements. Gassler also served as Deputy Director for Project Overmatch since October 2024.
Navy removes head of drone program Rebecca Gassler after 8 months, restructures autonomous systems acquisition
The U.S. Navy removed Rebecca J. Gassler from her position as Portfolio Acquisition Executive for Robotic and Autonomous Systems on August 5, 2026, just eight months after her appointment in December 2025. The service simultaneously announced the creation of a Direct Reporting Portfolio Manager for Robotic and Autonomous Systems (DRPM RAS) to address years of fragmented requirements and acquisition practices. Christopher Miller will serve as acting DRPM RAS and assume Gassler's former role, reporting directly to William Toti. The restructuring follows a federal lawsuit filed on July 14 by Blue Water Autonomy and Saildrone, who allege they were improperly excluded from the Navy's Medium Unmanned Surface Vessel (MUSV) program after the Navy changed acquisition frameworks twice in two years. Acting Navy leadership stated the changes aim to deliver capabilities faster to warfighters.
Navy removes head of drone program Rebecca Gassler after 8 months, restructures autonomous systems acquisition
The U.S. Navy removed Rebecca J. Gassler from her position as Portfolio Acquisition Executive for Robotic and Autonomous Systems (RAS) on August 5, 2026, just eight months after her appointment in December 2025. The service simultaneously announced the creation of a Direct Reporting Portfolio Manager for RAS, aiming to fix fragmented acquisition practices that slowed delivery to warfighters. Christopher Miller will serve as acting DRPM RAS, reporting directly to William Toti. The shakeup follows two federal lawsuits filed on July 14 by Blue Water Autonomy and Saildrone, who allege they were improperly excluded from the Navy's Medium Unmanned Surface Vessel Family of Systems program due to the Navy's failure to comply with its own requirements. Navy leadership cited an urgent need to replace arcane processes with clear accountability and faster decisions.