“We will competitively award a vessel construction manager to oversee the [program], drive execution and facilitate genuine competition among multiple shipyards,” Navy Secretary John Phelan said.
“We want it faster than that, but I think that that's the realistic timeline in which the shipbuilders can make it,” said Lt. Gen. Eric Austin, the Marine Corps's top requirements officer.
Reducing cognitive overload on warfighters while improving “time to trust” for autonomous systems is a matter of design.
Lawmakers' add has been expected based on the bipartisan chorus of support for a bigger amphib fleet, but it remains a big win for the Marine Corps.
The assistant commandant also sought to tamp down on the narrative that funding amphibious shipbuilding was a fight between the Navy and Marine Corps.