WASHINGTON – Rear Adm. Douglas Adams relieved Rear Adm. Todd Weeks as Program Executive Officer, Undersea Warfare Systems (PEO UWS) during a change of office ceremony at the Washington Navy Yard, May 9.
The eight program offices within PEO UWS enable the delivery of enhanced combat capability to all submarine platforms with improved cybersecurity and resiliency.
Frederick J. Stefany, Principal Civilian Deputy to the Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development, and Acquisition, acknowledged Weeks’ accomplishments during his keynote address.
“Under Admiral Weeks’ leadership, a lot has been accomplished here at PEO UWS.” said Stefany. “As a new PEO, this team has taken a scattering of programs and turned it into a familied portfolio which is as critical as any portfolio we have in the fight that could be ahead of us.”
During Weeks’ tenure as PEO, the eight major undersea program offices charged with delivering undersea weapons, sensors, and enhanced combat capability to the fleet focused on each office’s cradle-to-grave responsibility for expediting undersea capability development and delivery.
This past year, Weeks steered the Navy’s evolving hardware and software acquisition strategy by engaging industry and government stakeholders, charting a course that allows for faster submarine modernization and prudent risk management within a rapidly changing security and technology environment. His leadership helped ensure submarine combat systems, sensors, and networks can utilize the most cutting-edge software design tools and practices.
“I am very proud to have been a part of this great team,” said Weeks. “What I am most proud of is not necessarily what we’ve accomplished, but how we have been able to do it. I have been the beneficiary of working with some of the best leaders at the program level that I have ever seen who empower their teams with insightful commander’s intent. Then there is the collaboration with our industry partners working together to find a win/win recognizing that we are all committed to providing the very best to our Sailors.”
Adams is reporting to PEO UWS after serving formerly as Deputy Program Executive Officer for Undersea Warfare Systems. Most recently, he served as the Director of Attack Submarine Australia-UK-US (AUKUS) Support for the AUKUS Integration and Acquisition Program Office.
“I am honored to be able to continue to serve in the Navy and particularly happy to serve as PEO UWS. There’s not a job I would rather have today. It’s a very critical time for our Navy and our Nation, as I look around the globe we have conflicts in Europe, the Middle East, and many other places around the world,” said Adams. “Although we are on a strong footing, and UWS has been doing great things, there is still more to do, and I think we all recognize that. We’ve got to continue to improve and accelerate our ability to deliver decisive combat power, strengthen the Navy team, build trust, and align resources. The time is short, but we are the team to deliver this combat capability to the undersea force.”
Weeks will go on to relieve Rear Adm. Scott Pappano as Program Executive Officer, Strategic Submarines this summer.
“I will very much miss being part of this fantastic team, but I know you are in great hands with Rear Adm. Doug Adams,” said Weeks. “I couldn’t have imagined, and I couldn’t have picked a better officer to build upon all the great work that we have done, and I know that there are great and wonderful things ahead.”
The Navy’s Team Submarine comprises PEO UWS, PEO Attack Submarines, PEO Strategic Submarines, and the AUKUS Integration & Acquisition Office. PEO UWS executes the acquisition, research, development, and sustainment of undersea weapon, countermeasure, combat system, training, and sensor systems for the Navy’s attack and strategic submarines.