[Source/Observer Network, Mountain Cat]

According to the U.S. Naval Institute News website (USNI), on May 27th local time, the U.S. Navy issued a statement saying that Rear Admiral Kevin R. Smith, head of the Navy's Unmanned and Small Combatant Craft Program Executive Office (PEO USC), lost trust due to complaints confirmed by the Navy Inspector General's Office investigation and was relieved of his duties on the same day. The statement indicated that this decision was made by Dr. Brett Seidle, Acting Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development and Acquisition.

After being dismissed, Kevin Smith was "temporarily reassigned" to the U.S. Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA). Melissa Kuecken, director of the office, took over Smith's position.

(Photo File) Former Director of the U.S. Navy's Unmanned and Small Combatant Craft Program Executive Office, Rear Admiral Kevin R. Smith, U.S. Navy

The unmanned and small combatant craft office is one of the core acquisition agencies of the U.S. Navy, responsible for the design, development, construction, maintenance, and modernization of unmanned maritime systems, mine warfare systems, special operations systems, expeditionary combat systems, and small surface combatant ships.

Kevin Smith graduated from Boston University and obtained officer qualifications through the Navy Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC). He served as communications, training, and Tomahawk missile operational control officer aboard the Spruance-class destroyer DD-982 USS Nicholson. During his shore duty period, he served as chief systems engineer at the Dahlgren Division of the Naval Surface Warfare Center and as deputy director of the Aegis program. He also served as baseline manager and ship integration design director in the DDG-1000 Zumwalt-class destroyer project at the Ship Programs Executive Office. Later, he was transferred to the Bath Shipbuilding Supervision Office as the representative responsible for overseeing the construction of the DDG-1000 project. As a military representative, he oversaw the entire construction of the Zumwalt-class destroyers. In addition, he was sent to Australia to lead the integration of the Aegis system for the HMAS Hobart-class destroyers of the Royal Australian Navy and to supervise the installation, testing, acceptance, and delivery of the first two sets of "Land-based Aegis" missile defense systems deployed in Romania and Poland.

In October 2020, Smith was appointed director of the FFG-62 Constellation-class frigate project office with the rank of captain. During his tenure, the project office received the U.S. Department of Defense David Packard Acquisition Excellence Award, which recognizes organizations that have contributed or innovated in national defense procurement. In June 2023, Smith was promoted to rear admiral and appointed director of the unmanned and small combatant craft office.

This article is an exclusive contribution from Observer Network and cannot be reproduced without permission.

Original Article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7509419777375355401/

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author. Feel free to express your opinions by clicking the "Like/Dislike" buttons below.