In this virtual video panel series, WashingtonExec interviews industry and public sector leaders to explore the challenges, innovations and initiatives shaping the government IT landscape. This video was originally recorded March 24, 2026.
In this segment, WashingtonExec’s Amanda Ziadeh sits down with John Bell, chief technology officer at HII Mission Technologies, and Mike Frank, deputy chief technology officer for the Department of the Navy, to explore how acquisition reform and emerging technologies are reshaping the future of naval operations.
Bell and Frank examine what meaningful acquisition reform looks like in practice, where progress is being made, where challenges remain and how the Navy is working to accelerate the delivery of critical capabilities to the fleet. The panel also dives into the growing role of big data, artificial intelligence, autonomous systems and directed energy, and how these drive faster, better informed decision-making across mission environments.
From lowering barriers for nontraditional vendors to evolving command-and-control networks, the discussion offers insights into how government and industry can better align to keep pace with innovation and deliver operational advantage.