The U.S. Navy’s push to modernize its shipbuilding and repair capabilities is gaining momentum, and the Maritime Innovation Forum 2025 has put a spotlight on how advanced manufacturing is becoming a cornerstone of maritime readiness. With over 360 industry representatives in attendance, the forum underscored a critical truth: the Navy’s future hinges on its ability to rapidly adopt and scale cutting-edge technologies.
NAVSEA leaders made it clear that innovation isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a necessity. Tom Perotti, executive director and deputy chief engineer of NAVSEA’s engineering directorate, emphasized the urgency of aligning advanced manufacturing with flexible authorities like Other Transactions (OTs) to close capability gaps swiftly. “To meet the speed and scale the Fleet demands, we must make advanced manufacturing a foundational capability across the entire shipbuilding enterprise,” Perotti stated. This isn’t just about keeping up; it’s about setting the pace.
One of the standout moments was Matt Sermon’s, Direct Reporting Program Manager for the Maritime Industrial Base, vision for the future. He highlighted how additive manufacturing has already made strides in supplying critical ship parts, but his ambition goes further. “What we want to see in a few more years are entire shipyards, workforce and supply chains integrated by advanced manufacturing processes, technologies and of course, AI.” This isn’t just about incremental improvements—it’s about a full-scale transformation of how ships are built, maintained, and modernized.
The forum showcased real-world examples of OT agreements delivering tangible results. The LM2500 Gas Turbine Navy Common Core Controller (GTNC3), for instance, standardizes control systems across platforms, addressing longstanding variability and strengthening sustainment. Similarly, the Strike Up/Down System (SUDS) enables at-sea rearming of the MK41 Vertical Launch System, reducing the need for ships to return to port and preserving combat readiness. These aren’t just projects—they’re game-changers.
The afternoon sessions dove into the nitty-gritty of innovation, with presentations on additive manufacturing, robotics, automation, and next-generation digital tools. These aren’t pie-in-the-sky ideas; they’re technologies that align with the Navy’s modernization goals and industrial expansion priorities. The forum made it clear that collaboration is key. Rear Adm. Pete Small, NAVSEA’s chief engineer and Warfare Centers commander, summed it up best: “This forum is a testament to what we can achieve when we come together to collaborate on innovative, scalable and real-world solutions to today’s most pressing shipbuilding and sustainment challenges.”
The Navy’s push for advanced manufacturing isn’t just about building better ships—it’s about building a more agile, responsive, and future-ready fleet. And if the Maritime Innovation Forum is any indication, the industry is ready to meet that challenge head-on.