37th Annual Submarine Technology Symposium Advances Undersea Collaboration and Innovation

Commander, Submarine Forces hosted the 37th annual Submarine Technology Symposium (STS) at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) in Laurel, Maryland, May 13–15, bringing together more than 600 participants from across the submarine force, allied nations, industry and academia.

Co-sponsored by the Naval Submarine League and APL, the symposium provided a forum for technical exchange and discussion under the theme “Lethality Today and Innovation for Tomorrow.”

Vice Adm. Robert Gaucher, Commander, Submarine Forces, delivered the keynote address, outlining a vision for a hybrid undersea fleet capable of defending the homeland and deterring strategic competitors. He emphasized the integration of uncrewed systems, autonomous technologies, advanced materials and nontraditional communications to enhance operational advantage.

“The continued evolution of undersea capability is vital to maintaining our edge,” said Gaucher. “Events like STS are critical to driving the innovation we need across the fleet and among our partners.”

Retired Adm. John Richardson, former Chief of Naval Operations and current chairman of the Naval Submarine League, participated in the event and called STS the “premier undersea event in the world,” underscoring its role in shaping the future of undersea warfare.

The symposium featured contributions from allied partners, including representatives from Australia and the United Kingdom under the AUKUS trilateral partnership. Chris Watkins, STS co-chair and APL Sea Control mission area executive, noted the value of the enduring relationship.

“By sharing technology, intelligence and operational practices, we strengthen our ability to preserve stability in the Indo-Pacific and beyond,” said Watkins.

Retired Rear Adm. Lorin Selby, general chair of the symposium, opened the event by highlighting the importance of allied collaboration and sustained innovation to counter evolving threats.

Speakers from the defense and research communities participated in five sessions:

• “Understanding Tomorrow’s Threat Today,” chaired by Dianne Egnor from MITRE, with APL’s Brendan Gotowka serving as assistant chair
• “Posturing for the Future,” chaired by APL’s Owen Brooks, with Jermaine Kennedy from the Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City Division serving as assistant chair
• “Answering the Call to Readiness,” chaired by Charlie Montalbano from General Dynamics Electric Boat, with retired Rear Adm. Matthew Zirkle from Serco and also representing the Maritime Industrial Base serving as assistant chair
• “Sustaining the Fleet into the Future,” chaired by Brian Elkowitz from Northrop Grumman, with Melanie Campbell from Systems Planning and Analysis serving as assistant chair
• “Unleashing Lethality through Interchangeability,” chaired by Marie Bussiere from the Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division Newport, with Michael Belisle from Northrop Grumman Mission Systems serving as assistant chair

STS also welcomed a number of speakers from the senior levels of the Department of Defense, Congressional Research Service and Department of the Navy, including the following:

• Adm. Daryl Caudle, commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command
• Adm. William Houston, director, Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program
• Vice Adm. Jeffrey Jablon, deputy chief of Naval Operations for Installations and Logistics
• Vice Adm. Johnny Wolfe, director, Strategic Systems Programs
• Ron O’Rourke, Congressional Research Service
• Rear Adm. Mark Behning, director, Undersea Warfare Division, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations (OPNAV N97)
• Rear Adm. Christopher Cavanaugh, commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet
• Rear Adm. Kurt Rothenhaus, chief of naval research
• Rear Adm. Richard Seif, director, AUKUS Integration and Acquisition
• Rear Adm. Michael Van Poots, commander, Undersea Warfighting Development Center
• Rear Adm. Todd Weeks, program executive officer, Strategic Submarines
• Michael McClatchey, executive director, Program Executive Office, Undersea Warfare Systems

Michael Jozkowski, APL program manager for Advanced Undersea Technology, served as STS program chair and coordinated the lineup of technical sessions and speakers.

The Naval Submarine League will host the 38th annual Submarine Technology Symposium May 5–7, 2026.