On December 4, 2025 the Center for Maritime Strategy and the Naval War College Foundation co-hosted its fourth symposium, “America’s Future Fleet: Foundry, Fleet, and Fight,” at the Navy League of the United States Headquarters in Arlington, VA.
The symposium brought together notable members of the think tank community, military, government, congressional staff, and industry to discuss key components driving the future of national security. Speakers and attendees addressed the following topics:
Opening Keynote:
Speaker:
Admiral James Kilby, USN, Vice Chief of Naval Operations, U.S. Department of the Navy
Moderator:
Dr. Peter Dombrowski, Professor, Naval War College
Panelists:
VADM Thomas Moore, USN (ret.), Senior Vice President, Government Relations, HII
Mr. Mike Coulter, Chief Executive Officer, Hanwha USA
Mr. George Moutafis, Chief Executive Officer, Fincantieri Marine Group
The Fleet
Moderator:
Dr. Doyle Hodges, Dean, Naval War College
Panelists:
RADM Derek Trinque, USN, Director, Surface Warfare Division, N96, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, Department of Navy
Mr. Neil Hogg, Assistant Deputy Chief of Naval Operations Integration of Capabilities and Resources Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, Department of Navy
Dr. Erik Sand, Assistant Professor, Naval War College
The Fight
Moderator:
Mr. Gordon Jaquith, Executive Director, Department of the Navy Relations; Vice President and Director, Systems, Tactics, and Force Development Division, Center for Naval Analyses
Panelists:
VADM Bill Merz, USN (ret.), Senior Vice President, Oceaneering International
RADM Adam Kijek, USN, Director, Office of Warfighting Advantage, Department of Navy
CAPT Steve Aldridge, USN, Warfighter Development Directorate, Department of the Navy
Mr. Alex Trempe, Deputy Director of Strategy and Concepts, Warfighter Development Directorate, Department of Navy