Maritime Technology (MARITECH)

The Maritime Tech (MARITECH) program, under Program Element PE 0708730N, is a Navy Research, Development, Test & Evaluation (RDT&E) initiative focused on advancing shipyard technologies to improve the productivity, quality, and cost-effectiveness of maintenance performed at Navy public shipyards. The program's overarching goal is to support the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Navigation Plan of 2024, which prioritizes addressing warfighter maintenance and construction challenges. MARITECH aims to develop, mature, and demonstrate new technologies for rapid acquisition and implementation in maintenance operations, directly benefitting both naval shipyards and the broader U.S. Navy fleet.

The primary line item within MARITECH is Project 3435: Advanced Shipyard Technology (AST). AST's objectives include increasing operational availability of nuclear-powered ships and submarines by shortening maintenance durations and mitigating risks to on-time delivery. This is achieved through continuous spiral development in eight focus areas: Asset Visibility and Management, Extended Reality, Unmanned Systems, Advanced Manufacturing, Operational IT, Inspection and Testing, Robotics and Process Automation, and Corrosion Control and Repair. The program leverages competitive selection by sustainment and technology subject matter experts, ensuring that the most impactful solutions are prioritized for development and deployment.

For FY 2026, the program's primary focus will be on Robotic Process Automation (RPA). RPA development efforts are intended to explore and implement new technologies that enhance shipyard operations and efficiency. By automating repetitive and labor-intensive tasks, RPA is expected to improve workforce productivity, reduce life cycle costs, and minimize rework. These improvements are essential to achieving the CNO's target of maintaining 80% operationally available submarines, a key readiness metric for the Navy. The program also emphasizes the need for proper resourcing to cover additional projects and sustainment of implemented technologies.

In FY 2025, technology development efforts were prioritized to address urgent needs in ship availability, with a focus on Advanced Manufacturing and Robotics (AMR) and Operational IT. These efforts are designed to increase the proficiency and safety of mechanics and engineers, reduce maintenance delays, and save costs associated with maintenance delays. The program's iterative approach allows for ongoing refinement and adoption of innovative improvements, supporting continuous product and process enhancements in ship repair and sustainment.

The Acquisition Strategy for MARITECH utilizes a variety of contracting methods, including Direct Cite and Reimbursable Work Orders to Naval Warfare Centers, the Commercial Technologies for Maintenance Activities (CTMA) Cooperative Agreement, Other Transactional Authorities (OTA), and Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) phases II.5 and III. This strategy enables collaboration between government, academia, and industry, fostering public/private cooperation and accelerating the transition of mature technologies into operational use. Once technologies are ready, other Navy funding lines such as Other Procurement (OPN) and Operations and Maintenance (OMN) are used to scale and field solutions across public shipyards.

The program's budget reflects adjustments in response to changing requirements and policy initiatives. For example, the FY 2026 request was reduced for Advisory and Assistance Services to promote efficiencies and align with Executive Order 14222, which emphasizes government cost efficiency. These adjustments ensure that resources are allocated effectively and that the program remains responsive to both operational needs and broader policy directives.