Introduction
We’re entering a new era of naval warfare—one where drones can fly farther than planes, submarines can think for themselves, and enemies strike not just with missiles, but with malware. But amid all the noise about autonomous systems and AI, let’s be clear:
America still needs sailors at sea.
Nothing can replace the judgment, courage, and leadership of a U.S. Navy crew. But we would be wrong not to give them every technological edge available. That’s where innovators like Palmer Luckey are stepping in—with bold ideas, operational tools, and a firm belief that deterrence should be smart, scalable, and American-made.
Meet the Man Behind the Disruption
Palmer Luckey is no ordinary defense entrepreneur. Best known as the creator of Oculus VR, Luckey turned his attention from gaming to national security in 2017 when he founded Anduril Industries. His mission: disrupt the bloated defense procurement system and deliver real-world, ready-to-use military tools at Silicon Valley speed.
Today, Anduril is producing drone interceptors, electromagnetic warfare systems, autonomous submarines, and smart command platforms that are already in service—supporting U.S. forces and our allies abroad.
“Porcupines, Not Policemen”
One quote from Palmer Luckey, shared in his 60 Minutes interview, captures the heart of a smarter deterrence strategy:
“My position has been that the United States needs to arm our allies and partners around the world so that they can be prickly porcupines that nobody wants to step on, nobody wants to bite them.”
— Palmer Luckey, 60 Minutes, July 2025
We believe Luckey’s philosophy echoes the enduring wisdom of peace through strength. The goal isn’t global policing. It’s creating strong allies, hardened targets, and enough capability across our partnerships that no aggressor wants to test the waters.In Luckey’s view, deterrence isn’t about overwhelming presence—it’s about posture. And in today’s world, that posture needs to be smart, fast, and often unmanned.
Why Americans Should Care
Our adversaries are innovating relentlessly—China with hypersonics, Russia with cyber sabotage, Iran with drone warfare. If America lags in defense innovation, we risk far more than budgets—we risk blood.
Luckey’s approach embodies the kind of entrepreneurial urgency that once won us wars and landed men on the Moon. He’s not waiting for a contract. He’s building the future now.
The government isn’t always fast. But the American spirit—when unleashed—is faster.
Smart Tools for a Stronger Fleet—Not a Sailorless One
Let’s be clear: We’re not advocating for ghost fleets. We’re calling for smarter fleets.
Destroyers, submarines, and aircraft carriers remain the bedrock of American sea power. But in today’s threat landscape, steel without software is just a target. Our Navy must be equipped to launch and command advanced tools—like the Roadrunner drone interceptor or Dive XL autonomous submarine—from the decks of manned ships.
Autonomous platforms shouldn’t replace sailors. They should protect them. Empower them. Extend their reach.
When a U.S. warship can deploy swarms of AI-powered sensors or coordinate with allies via a shared AI battlefield platform like LATTIS, our sailors gain more than data—they gain the upper hand.
A New Era of Deterrence
The old model—sending troops into every hot zone—no longer fits a world of proxy wars, satellite surveillance, and cyber infiltration. Instead, we need to export capability, not just commitment. Give our partners the power to defend themselves, and America’s deterrent grows without overextending our forces.
That’s the heart of the porcupine strategy: Don’t invite a fight. But make it painful to start one.
The Bottom Line
A Navy without sailors? That’s not America’s way.
But a Navy without innovation? That’s a risk we can’t afford.
Let’s give our fleets and our friends the tools they need to defend freedom—above, below, and beyond the sea.
Let’s Talk to the Man Himself
At Americans for a Stronger Navy, we believe voices like Palmer Luckey’s deserve a national stage. We’ve invited him to join us for a conversation—about innovation, entrepreneurship, and what the next generation of defense leadership looks like.
Palmer, if you’re reading this: the invitation is open.
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