US Navy’s Distributed Maritime Operations: The Rise of the Hybrid Fleet and Unmanned Warfare

Introduction The character of maritime warfare is undergoing its most profound transformation since the advent of carrier aviation and nuclear-powered submarines. Advances in artificial intelligence, autonomous systems, long-range precision weapons, cyber warfare, space-based surveillance, and resilient communications are reshaping how naval forces achieve sea control, project power, and deter adversaries. Instead of relying primarily on…