Navy flag officers discuss operational readiness at I/ITSEC 2025

January 9, 2026

 

By Cassidy Mills, Staff Writer

 

Senior leaders from the U.S. Navy explored evolving challenges in acquisition, research and mission readiness during a panel session at the Interservice/Industry Training, Simulation and Education Conference (I/ITSEC) on Dec. 3.

 

I/ITSEC is the world’s largest modeling, simulation and training (MS&T) event, held annually the week after Thanksgiving at the Orange County Convention Center. The conference brings together the global MS&T community for a week of demonstrations, discussions and collaboration. Each year, the event draws thousands of MS&T professionals, including senior civilian and military leaders, C-suite industry executives and academic researchers from leading institutions.

 

Moderated by retired Navy Vice Adm. Sean Buck, president of the National Training and Simulation Association (NTSA), the session highlighted the role of modeling, simulation and emerging technologies in preparing warfighters for future conflicts.

 

“This panel is designed to give you direct insight into how the Navy is working to equip sailors with the capabilities they need while maintaining a sustainable acquisition and training strategy,” Buck said. “Our goal is to make this an interactive discussion where questions and concerns can be addressed directly by our panelists.”

 

Panelists included Vice Adm. Robert Gaucher, commander of Naval Submarine Forces, Submarine Force Atlantic and Allied Submarine Command; Rear Adm. Anthony Carullo, director of warfighting development; and Rear Adm. Todd Evans, commander of the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division.

 

Gaucher emphasized initiatives aimed at enhancing sailor readiness by modernizing training protocols, leveraging high-fidelity simulators and integrating digital environments to accelerate skill acquisition and operational proficiency.

 

“We’ve transformed how we qualify sailors — from using cassette tapes and paper to high-fidelity simulators that replicate the exact conditions aboard submarines,” Gaucher said. “Our Day One Ready Sailor Initiative ensures that when sailors arrive at their first deployment, they are prepared to stand watch immediately.”

 

Gaucher also outlined advances in unmanned underwater vehicle programs, emphasizing how digital modeling and simulation enable precise performance analysis and mission planning.

 

“The real secret sauce is our common development environment,” Gaucher said. “It allows us to analyze thousands of runs, refine vehicle performance and ensure that unmanned systems operate safely and effectively before deployment.”

 

The discussion highlighted the Navy’s use of modeling and simulation as a force multiplier. Gaucher cited digital twins for undersea environments, which allow commanders to test operational strategies across countless scenarios.

 

“We can simulate months of operations in days, adjusting every variable from sensor performance to environmental conditions,” Gaucher said. “This is how we maximize both lethality and survivability in undersea operations.”

 

Carullo discussed how these technological advances are transforming the Navy’s broader warfighting development mission, enabling integrated approaches to system evaluation and operational planning across multiple domains.

 

“Digital engineering, open systems architecture and data-driven modeling are converging across the Navy,” Carullo said. “We’re increasingly able to train sailors and test systems before hardware ever arrives, accelerating readiness while maintaining safety and effectiveness.”

 

Carullo framed modernization efforts around the human element, stressing that technology alone does not ensure mission success. He highlighted how integrated systems are designed to enhance sailors’ skills and situational awareness across operational domains.

 

“All of our technological advances — whether digital twins, AI or unmanned systems — exist to empower the people who operate them,” Carullo said. “Our sailors are the true force multiplier, and our job is to provide them the tools, training and support to succeed.”

 

Evans emphasized the importance of human factors in aviation and surface operations, noting that understanding decision-making under stress is essential for preparing sailors to operate complex platforms safely and effectively.

 

“Simulation is no longer just about basic skills — it’s about integrating sensors, systems and cognitive workloads to replicate the stress of real missions,” Evans said. “This allows sailors to train in conditions as close to reality as possible, ensuring they are prepared when lives are on the line.”

 

Panelists also addressed the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning. Gaucher highlighted challenges in acoustic analysis for submarine detection, noting that AI currently serves as an aid rather than a replacement for human decision-making.

 

“The next step is combining AI algorithms from multiple partners to enhance accuracy,” Evans said. “Even then, humans remain essential for oversight, but AI can significantly reduce workload and improve operational efficiency.”

 

The session concluded with a focus on decision-making and the future of AI-enabled systems. Panelists agreed that while artificial intelligence and machine learning present significant potential, careful integration, human oversight and rigorous testing remain essential.

 

“Trust is built through repeated, safe and measurable use,” Gaucher said. “Over time, as we integrate AI responsibly, it will become a reliable tool that enhances — not replaces — sailors’ decision-making.”