Acting Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao announced today that Rear Adm. Jonathan Rucker has been appointed Portfolio Acquisition Executive (PAE) Maritime. PAE Maritime is the Navy organization responsible for delivering surface ships to the Fleet.

“President Trump has given me a clear mandate: build the Golden Fleet,” said Cao. “Admiral Rucker is the right leader at the right time to bring accountability to and accelerate our American shipbuilding system.”

Rucker has served as the Director of Design and Construction for Direct Reporting Portfolio Manager, Submarines since April 2026, where he has been responsible for the design and construction of all submarines. Prior to this, Rucker served as the Program Executive Officer (PEO) for Attack Submarines, Program Manager of the COLUMBIA Class Submarine Program, and Program Manager of the Unmanned Maritime Systems Program.

As PAE Maritime, Rucker is charged with leading the Navy’s surface ship acquisition efforts across the shipbuilding enterprise.…