CNO Downplays Near Term Unmanned Hybrid Fleet, Says Concept Of Deployment Too Fragile

US Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Daryl Caudle said on October 26, 2026, that unmanned forces are not yet ready to make the fleet a fully hybrid force. He described current deployment concepts as too fragile for a conflict that could extend beyond isolated reciprocal exchanges. Caudle nevertheless identified unmanned systems, containerization and modularity as key elements of his proposed hedge force. That approach would package naval capabilities to address specific operational problems for combatant commanders, preserving a role for autonomous platforms while qualifying expectations for their near-term contribution to fleet deployments.