WASHINGTON - Rear Adm. Pete Small assumed command of Naval Sea Systems Command’s (NAVSEA) Surface and Undersea Warfare Centers, relieving Rear Adm. Todd Evans, during a ceremony at the Washington Navy Yard, May 30. Evans led the warfare center team with a focus on advancing wartime readiness, the energetics comprehensive modernization plan, and improving the health of warfare center technical capabilities. Evans will assume command of the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, on June 11.
The Naval Surface and Undersea Warfare Centers are the Navy’s principal research, development, test, and evaluation assessment activities for surface ship and submarine systems, accounting for more than half of the Navy’s engineering and scientific expertise. They also provide in-service engineering and logistics support for operational surface and submarine forces.
In addition to his new role, Small also serves as the NAVSEA chief engineer and deputy commander for Naval Systems Engineering. This dual-role assignment optimizes how NAVSEA delivers technology and engineering solutions to program offices, depots, and fleet customers, with a focus on accelerating force generation and fleet readiness.
“I’m honored and excited to take the helm of the NAVSEA Warfare Centers,” said Small. “These centers serve as a vital link between the technical community and our warfighters. With close coordination between NAVSEA Engineering and the warfare centers, we can accelerate delivery of new technologies, sustainment solutions, and engineering support. These efforts ensure our Navy is ready to deploy the world’s most sophisticated weapons systems, operated by highly skilled warfighters, to fight and win our Nation’s wars.”
Small served as a submarine officer prior to laterally transferring to the Engineering Duty Officer (EDO) community. As an EDO, he has served across all phases of design and construction of manned and unmanned ships and submarines. He also oversaw the construction and repair of submarines.
At NAVSEA headquarters, Small served in four submarine program offices, as major program manager of the Unmanned Maritime Systems program, and later stood up the New Attack Submarine (SSN(X)) program.
With headquarters in Washington, D.C., and Newport, Rhode Island, the warfare centers are comprised of scientists, engineers, technicians, and support personnel, both civilian and active duty, at eight surface warfare divisions and two undersea warfare divisions across the country.