NAVAL AIR SYSTEMS COMMAND, Patuxent River, Md. – Rear Adm. Tony Rossi assumed command as Program Executive Officer for Unmanned Aviation and Strike Weapons (PEO (U&W)) from Rear Adm. Stephen Tedford during a ceremony Nov. 21 at Naval Air Station Patuxent River.
Jason Potter, who is performing the duties of the Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Research, Development and Acquisition), presided over the ceremony, reflecting on his decade-long history working with Tedford, highly praising his technical acumen.
“In the three-and a half years you’ve led PEO (U&W), you and your team have helped build the arsenal of freedom that the Secretary of War has talked about, set us on a good path for the acquisition reform we need, munitions first and foremost, and have given Rear Admiral Rossi the tools he needs to succeed,” said Potter.
Since May 2022, Tedford has served as PEO (U&W), leading a 4,000-member team across 12 program offices. He managed 62 acquisition programs supported by a $7 billion annual budget and the execution of nearly 2,000 contract awards, also overseeing large growth in foreign military sales.
Under his leadership, the organization rapidly expanded weapons production and delivered critical munitions including AIM-9X, SDB-II and Tomahawk. His team grew the unmanned aviation portfolio, establishing three operational orbits for the MQ-4C Triton, deploying thousands of small UAS, spearheading Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) development, and continuing MQ-25 testing.
“As I pass the mantle of leadership, I have no doubt that the future of unmanned aviation and strike weapons is brighter than ever,” Tedford said. “The systems we’ve developed, the partnerships we’ve cultivated, and the lessons we’ve learned will continue to shape naval aviation for years to come.”
Tedford will assume a new role as director for the Defense Contract Management Agency where he will oversee contract administration services for the Department of War.
Rossi, a U.S. Naval Academy graduate and former P-3 pilot, brings extensive experience to the role. His prior assignments include serving as a test pilot, holding program management roles for the P-8 and MQ-4C Triton programs, leading the Navy International Programs office and most recently, serving as Commander, Fleet Readiness Centers (COMFRC).
“Whether it’s our unmanned portfolio providing real time ISR or the added extended reach of our manned fighters through manned-unmanned teaming and AI, or our resilient kill chains through strike, anti-ship, air-to-air weapons programs, our products will be key to flying, fighting and winning,” Rossi said.
His focus will be on accelerating the development, production, and sustainment of advanced warfighting capabilities for naval aviation, specifically in unmanned systems, strike weapons, and targets. He aims to transform unmanned aviation and increase weapons lethality.