Adm. Daryl L. Caudle was sworn in on 25 August as the 34th Chief of Naval Operations, replacing Adm. Lisa M. Franchetti, who was removed in February by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. In his first address, Caudle pledged to accelerate adoption of artificial intelligence, unmanned platforms and advanced networking to ensure the fleet can “dominate in combat” against technologically sophisticated adversaries. Caudle’s elevation is part of a sweeping reshuffle of senior military leadership under President Donald Trump. Since returning to office in January, the president has dismissed or forced the resignation of more than a dozen four-star generals and admirals, including the first women to lead the Navy and the Coast Guard and the second Black officer to chair the Joint Chiefs of Staff. On the same day Caudle took office, Navy Secretary John Phelan announced the closure of several innovation offices and the creation of a Naval Rapid Capabilities Office reporting directly to him. The new unit will consolidate programmes such as NavalX and the Disruptive Capabilities Office and is tasked with fielding urgent solutions within three years, aligning the service with Trump’s executive order to modernise defence acquisitions and speed delivery of emerging technologies.