The Future of U.S. Naval Power: A Conversation with Congressman Rob Wittman

For over a century, American military strategy has relied on control of the seas through its navy. Today, the United States faces challenges from near-peer competitors Russia and China, and regional challenges from Iran and North Korea. But while threats have increased, the U.S. fleet size has contracted. To address this, the U.S. Navy recently set an ambitious, decades-long plan to increase the fleet to 355 ships. But can this growth in fleet size be achieved? What will the fleet of the future look like, and can its force structure be maintained? How will America continue to employ the navy as a strategic tool to maintain the U.S.-led international order?

To examine these important issues, on Thursday, May 10, Hudson Institute hosted a conversation with Congressman Rob Wittman (VA), Chairman of the Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee. Congressman Wittman was joined by Hudson Senior Fellow and Director of the Center for American Seapower Seth Cropsey.

Sponsored by Hudson’s Center for American Seapower, Conversations on National Security and U.S. Naval Power is an ongoing series that brings influential policymakers and opinion leaders to Hudson to foster constructive dialogue toward the shared goal of ensuring the U.S. Navy’s global preeminence.