NAVAL AIR SYSTEMS COMMAND, PATUXENT RIVER, Md. -- The Program Executive Office for Unmanned Aviation and Strike Weapons (PEO (U&W)) welcomed a new admiral during a change of ceremony held Oct. 30 at Naval Air Station Patuxent River.

Rear Adm. Mark Darrah, who has more than 30 years of aviation and acquisition experience, relieved Rear Adm. Mat Winter, who will serve as Chief of Naval Research; and director, Innovation, Technology Requirements, and Test and Evaluation in Arlington, Virginia.

Darrah joined the NAVAIR team more than a decade ago, bringing his fleet experience to the complex defense acquisition community. Since then, he has served as the F/A-18 and E/A-18G program manager, the Joint Strike Fighter weapons program manager and most recently the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division commander and assistant commander for Research and Engineering.

"Every day our fellow Americans are either training with, or operating in combat with, the products that we develop, test, and deliver to the fleet," he said. "Getting that done right and being able to contribute to their safety and success is what keeps me energized."

In his new role, Darrah will support  the naval unmanned aviation inventory, as well as all precision and strike weapons. Under his leadership, PEO (U&W) will design, develop and deliver new and updated weapons unmanned systems tothe fleet, paving the way for the future of naval aviation.