Pentagon Official Urges Navy to 'Start Killing Manned Programs'

The official, speaking at a hearing of the National Defense Innovation Board, argued that the Navy's current approach to shipbuilding and aircraft development is too slow and expensive. He said the service should shift resources toward unmanned systems, which can be updated more quickly and operate at lower cost. The recommendation drew mixed reactions from panel members, with some expressing concern about the reliability of autonomous platforms in contested environments.