Navy Secretary John Phelan called for managing the service like a business to improve readiness and innovate faster during a visit to Naval Base San Diego.

“Warfare is a business, and we need to understand that,” he told the personnel gathered Tuesday on the flight deck of the USS Somerset, an amphibious transport dock.

“My North Star is readiness,” he said. To do that I’m focused on three priorities: strengthening shipbuilding and the maritime industrial base; fostering an adaptive, accountable and innovative warfighting culture; and insuring the health, welfare and training of our people.”

He cited artificial intelligence, advanced software and other technologies that will “define the next era of warfare.”

The visit came just a day after reports that Phelan has established a Naval Ra

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