Celebrating Nearly 250 Years of U.S. Naval Innovation
On March 9, 1862, as the first sunlight of the day sparkled over the Chesapeake Bay, history was being made with the world’s first clash of steam-powered, ironclad warships.1 The U.S. Navy’s newest and most advanced ship, the USS Monitor, engaged in an hours-long battle with the CSS Virginia (formerly the USS Merrimack). Though the resulting battle would end in a draw, naval warfare was changed forever. Nearly 160 years later, the Navy launched Task Force 59—a one-of-a-kind and advanced concept to quickly combine unmanned systems and artificial intelligence with naval operations.
From its humble beginnings in 1775 with a schooner and a sloop, the Navy has since transformed into a formidable fighting force—perhaps the strongest and most capable naval force in world history. Apart from the courage and legacy of the sailors and marines who have fought and served gallantly for centuries, the Navy also owes its continued success and fierceness to a long-time tradition of embracing innovation. For nearly 250 years, they have been committed to pushing the boundaries of what is possible with the latest technology, thus enabling them to prepare for the future fight. Read more…