Navy Relieves Admiral in Charge of Unmanned Systems Office

Navy relieves admiral in charge of unmanned systems office

The Navy relieved the executive officer for unmanned and small combatants programs on Tuesday, the service said.Dr. Brett Seidel, acting assistant secretary of the Navy for research, development & acquisition, dismissed Rear Adm. Kevin Smith as program executive officer for the Program Executive Office for Unmanned and Small Combatants “due to a loss of confidence based on a complaint substantiated by an Office of the Naval Inspector General inv…

SOFREP Morning Brief: US Navy Relieves Admiral Overseeing Unmanned and Small Combatant Programs, Zelenskyy Meets New German Chancellor

Stay updated with SOFREP’s Morning Brief for Wednesday, May 28, 2025, featuring key developments in defense and global affairs. #SOFREPMorningBrief #USNavy #UkraineRussiaWar #SouthEastAsia

US Navy Removes Officer in Charge of Building Frigates and Unmanned Ships

The U.S. Navy has removed the admiral who was in charge of its new frigate program and its unmanned-vessel programs, the service announced Tuesday. I...

Navy Fires Admiral Who Ran Office Overseeing Unmanned Systems, Small Ships

Rear Adm. Kevin Smith was relieved from leadership of the program office by Dr. Brett Seidle, acting assistant secretary of the Navy for research, development and acquisition.

Navy removes head of PEO USC citing naval inspector general investigation

Rear Adm. Kevin Smith has been relieved from his post as the Navy's program executive officer for unmanned and small combatants following "a complaint substantiated by an Office of the Naval Inspector General investigation," the service announced today. Smith has been temporarily reassigned to the staff of Naval Sea Systems Command, while PEO USC Executive Director Melissa Kirkendall has assumed temporary responsibilities of the office in his ab…

Navy removes flag officer who oversaw acquisition of unmanned maritime systems

The Navy relieved Rear Adm. Kevin Smith as program executive officer for unmanned and small combatants Tuesday, the service announced. Smith was removed from that position “due to a loss of confidence based on a complaint substantiated by an Office of the Naval Inspector General investigation,” officials wrote in a press release, adding that the sea service “maintains the highest standards for leaders and holds them accountable when those standa…