Even mid-sprint to a secret flight, the Navy’s tech chief has a pitch for investors

Navy CTO Justin Fanelli outlined a strategy to co-invest with venture capital firms rather than directly finance early-stage research, signaling expanded pathways for defense-tech startups. Recent procurement includes a $562 million autonomous refueling contract, while the Navy identified AI and quantum technologies as priority areas for founders. The approach could support private investment and commercialization in strategically relevant defense technologies.