Move would place key Navy and Air Force programs under direct oversight of Deputy Secretary of Defense.
Washington, D.C. – In a potentially sweeping shakeup of the defense acquisition landscape, the Pentagon is reportedly considering the creation of two new „czar” roles to oversee major defense acquisition portfolios currently managed by the Navy and Air Force, according to multiple sources speaking to Breaking Defense.
Submarine Programs Under Scrutiny
One „czar” would be responsible for the Navy’s submarine programs, while the other would manage several high-profile Air Force projects. Both positions would report directly to Deputy Secretary of Defense Steve Feinberg.
Sources indicate that Vice Adm. Robert Gaucher, commander of naval submarine forces, is being considered for the submarine role.
Air Force Portfolio: B-21, F-47, and Sentinel ICBM
Lt. Gen. Dale White, the Air Force’s military deputy for acquisition, is reportedly under consideration to lead an office managing programs such as the B-21 Raider stealth bomber, the newly announced F-47 fighter jet, and the beleaguered Sentinel ICBM. The exact scope of the Air Force portfolio remains under discussion.
Pentagon’s History with „Czars”
These roles, known within the Pentagon as „direct report program managers” or DRPMs, appear to follow the model that saw Space Force Gen. Michael Guetlein tapped to lead DoD’s Golden Dome efforts. Like Golden Dome, F-47 and shipbuilding are defense priorities for the White House.
Potential Implications for the Navy
If the Pentagon proceeds with the submarine office plan, it could signal a significant change in how the Navy oversees its shipbuilding enterprise, which has faced scrutiny for program delays.
Steven Wills, a naval historian, compared the new position to the former „Naval Materiel Command,” a powerful office terminated in the 1980s to streamline acquisition. He warned that introducing another four-star officer with acquisition responsibilities could disrupt the existing chain of command and potentially create conflict with the Chief of Naval Operations.
Air Force Scope Still Undefined
The exact scope of the Air Force office is less settled than the Navy plan. There is consensus that the Sentinel ICBM, which has struggled with cost overruns, is likely to be a focal point. The portfolio could also include advanced combat aircraft efforts like the sixth-generation F-47 fighter and the B-21 Raider bomber.
