Agile Defense Joins $44 Million U.S. Navy Program to Modernize Military Sealift Command’s Global IT Network

In a major step toward strengthening the U.S. Navy’s digital backbone, Agile Defense has secured a key subcontract under a $44-million program awarded by the Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) to Savvee Consulting. The five-and-a-half-year contract focuses on modernizing, securing, and streamlining the global IT systems that underpin the operations of the Military Sealift Command (MSC) — the maritime lifeline of U.S. and allied forces worldwide.

Reinforcing the Navy’s Digital Supply Chain

Under this new agreement, Savvee Consulting will lead the delivery of advanced IT engineering support, while Agile Defense will play a pivotal role as a subcontractor, bringing its expertise in cybersecurity, data analytics, and network sustainment. The program’s central goal is to enhance cybersecurity resilience, improve operational efficiency, and build a data-driven architecture that supports MSC’s complex global logistics operations.

According to Jay Burkhardt, Agile Defense’s Vice President for Navy and Marine Corps Operations, the partnership underscores the company’s long-standing commitment to “integrating secure, efficient, and mission-ready digital systems into naval operations.” This initiative, he added, will not only modernize the command’s networks but also help safeguard one of the world’s largest civilian-crewed military fleets against evolving cyber threats.

Why the Military Sealift Command’s IT Modernization Matters

The Military Sealift Command (MSC) operates more than 130 ships — including fleet replenishment oilers, cargo carriers, hospital ships, and ocean surveillance vessels — that transport fuel, supplies, and equipment to U.S. and allied forces deployed worldwide. These ships form the logistical backbone of American naval power, ensuring sustained operations across vast oceans.

Headquartered in Norfolk, Virginia, MSC coordinates operations that extend from the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans to the Persian Gulf and Indo-Pacific. Its vessels often operate in contested or near-peer environments, making the reliability and security of its communications, navigation, and logistics systems absolutely critical.

In recent years, as maritime networks have become increasingly digital and interconnected, MSC has expanded its focus from traditional logistics to cyber-resilient operations. The modernization of its IT systems represents an effort to ensure continuous mission assurance, even in the face of cyber warfare and electronic interference.

Cybersecurity as the New Maritime Defense Layer

Agile Defense’s contribution centers on developing secure, scalable network infrastructures capable of defending against advanced persistent threats (APTs) targeting maritime and defense assets. This includes deploying data-driven monitoring tools, automated threat response mechanisms, and predictive analytics that can identify potential vulnerabilities before they impact operations.

The initiative supports a broader Department of Defense (DoD) push to enforce Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) standards across all defense networks, including Operational Technology (OT) aboard ships and shore-based command centers. By aligning MSC’s digital environment with these standards, Agile Defense and Savvee are effectively creating a hardened cyber shield around one of the U.S. Navy’s most vital logistics components.

Integration with Broader Navy Modernization Efforts

This project also dovetails with ongoing Navy digital transformation programs, including the Navy Cybersecurity Readiness Initiative and the Digital Horizon Strategy, which seek to unify the service’s IT, logistics, and operational domains under a common digital architecture.

Earlier in 2025, MSC introduced the John Lewis-class fleet oilers, a new generation of replenishment ships designed for efficient fuel delivery to carrier strike groups. These ships are equipped with next-generation sensors and cyber-secure control systems, reflecting the Navy’s broader shift toward smart maritime logistics.

The command has also recently completed a significant upgrade to its Global Maritime Operations Center (GMOC) — a central hub that allows for real-time tracking, coordination, and management of logistics vessels across all theaters. With Agile Defense’s cybersecurity integration, this command center will gain enhanced situational awareness and protection against data intrusions.

Strategic Significance: Resilience Through Technology

For the U.S. Navy, this partnership goes beyond IT modernization — it is about operational continuity under pressure. In a potential conflict scenario, where cyberattacks or network disruptions could cripple supply lines, the ability to securely operate and coordinate logistics vessels becomes a decisive advantage.

Imagine a situation where U.S. carrier strike groups are deployed in the Indo-Pacific amid rising tensions. The MSC’s fleet of oilers and supply ships must move across contested waters while maintaining secure digital communications. Any breach in the command’s IT or navigation networks could expose critical supply routes. Under the new modernization framework, however, these networks would be reinforced with adaptive cyber defense, ensuring mission delivery even in degraded conditions.

A Broader Industry Trend

The Navy’s partnership with Agile Defense and Savvee Consulting reflects a wider U.S. defense trend: blending traditional logistics with advanced digital defense. Similar modernization programs are being implemented across the Air Mobility Command and U.S. Transportation Command, aiming to ensure that logistics and sustainment networks — the lifeblood of military operations — are as resilient as combat systems themselves.

The Agile Defense–Savvee collaboration under the $44-million MSC modernization program represents a significant evolution in the way the U.S. Navy manages, protects, and sustains its global logistics operations. By merging cybersecurity innovation with digital transformation, the initiative positions MSC as a digitally fortified logistics command, capable of supporting missions across the globe with greater efficiency, safety, and reliability.

As maritime operations grow more complex and contested, this investment ensures that America’s floating logistics fleet remains as secure and resilient as the warships it sustains.