Rear Adm. Jonathan Rucker appointed to lead Navy maritime acquisition

Acting Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao has appointed Rear Adm. Jonathan Rucker to lead Portfolio Acquisition Executive (PAE) Maritime. Rucker will oversee the Navy’s surface ship acquisition efforts across the shipbuilding enterprise, including carriers, combatants, and auxiliary vessels.

The appointment is part of a wider acquisition reform initiative. PAE Maritime is one of five organizations established by the Navy in March to improve accountability and accelerate the American shipbuilding system. Rucker succeeds Chris Miller, who served as the inaugural chief and has been appointed to lead Robotic and Autonomous Systems.

Rucker previously served as a director of design and construction for Direct Reporting Portfolio Manager Submarines and as the Program Executive Officer for Attack Submarines.