AFCEA/USNI WEST 2026

Sessions Speakers Exhibitors Products Press Releases Floor Plan

Building the Fleet to Meet the Mission (Room Operations in Focus Stage - Sails Pavilion)

Building a fleet capable of meeting today’s operational demands—and tomorrow’s contested maritime environment—requires a resilient industrial base, an agile workforce, and sustained partnership between government, industry, and Congress. This panel of experts will examine the full ecosystem required to deliver the ships and submarines the nation needs. Panelists will explore the modernization of U.S. shipbuilding infrastructure, workforce development initiatives, and supply chain resilience. They will also discuss the role of public-private partnerships, key policy considerations shaping naval shipbuilding, innovative funding mechanisms, and the integration of advanced manufacturing technologies that can accelerate delivery and improve quality. With perspectives spanning the executive branch, Congress, program leaders, and private industry, this conversation will provide a candid look at the challenges, opportunities, and priorities shaping the future fleet—and what it will take to build and sustain it.