{"id":805,"date":"2025-07-04T16:05:34","date_gmt":"2025-07-04T16:05:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/172-234-197-23.ip.linodeusercontent.com\/?p=805"},"modified":"2025-07-04T16:11:42","modified_gmt":"2025-07-04T16:11:42","slug":"%f0%9f%9b%b0%ef%b8%8f-project-33","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/172-234-197-23.ip.linodeusercontent.com\/?p=805","title":{"rendered":"\ud83d\udef0\ufe0f Project 33"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img data-opt-id=1025180484  fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"999\" height=\"667\" src=\"https:\/\/ml6vmqguit1n.i.optimole.com\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/172-234-197-23.ip.linodeusercontent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/image-59.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-815\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ml6vmqguit1n.i.optimole.com\/w:999\/h:667\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/172-234-197-23.ip.linodeusercontent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/image-59.png 999w, https:\/\/ml6vmqguit1n.i.optimole.com\/w:300\/h:200\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/172-234-197-23.ip.linodeusercontent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/image-59.png 300w, https:\/\/ml6vmqguit1n.i.optimole.com\/w:768\/h:513\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/172-234-197-23.ip.linodeusercontent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/image-59.png 768w, https:\/\/ml6vmqguit1n.i.optimole.com\/w:930\/h:620\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/172-234-197-23.ip.linodeusercontent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/image-59.png 930w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 999px) 100vw, 999px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Admiral Lisa Franchetti\u2019s 2027 plans for Korea were part of a broader strategic initiative known as <strong>Project 33<\/strong>, which aimed to prepare the U.S. Navy for potential conflict scenarios in the Indo-Pacific, particularly involving China. While she was still in office, Franchetti met with Republic of Korea (ROK) Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Yang Yong-mo in January 2025 to reaffirm the <strong>U.S.\u2013ROK alliance<\/strong> and strengthen maritime security cooperation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?sa=i&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.navy.mil%2FPress-Office%2FPress-Releases%2Fdisplay-pressreleases%2FArticle%2F3663746%2Freadout-of-chief-of-naval-operations-adm-lisa-franchettis-meeting-with-republic%2F&amp;psig=AOvVaw0jyyCeTFE6e9lk-nkyFAwT&amp;ust=1751731564872000&amp;source=images&amp;cd=vfe&amp;opi=89978449&amp;ved=0CBQQjhxqFwoTCIiK197Ko44DFQAAAAAdAAAAABAL\"><img data-opt-id=1790779772  fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"654\" height=\"775\" src=\"https:\/\/ml6vmqguit1n.i.optimole.com\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/172-234-197-23.ip.linodeusercontent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/image-57.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-809\" style=\"width:437px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ml6vmqguit1n.i.optimole.com\/w:654\/h:775\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/172-234-197-23.ip.linodeusercontent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/image-57.png 654w, https:\/\/ml6vmqguit1n.i.optimole.com\/w:253\/h:300\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/172-234-197-23.ip.linodeusercontent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/image-57.png 253w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 654px) 100vw, 654px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Here\u2019s a snapshot of what those plans entailed:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>\ud83c\uddf0\ud83c\uddf7 <strong>Bilateral Engagements<\/strong>: Franchetti emphasized joint exercises and multilateral engagements with South Korea and Japan to bolster deterrence and regional stability.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>\u2693 <strong>Trilateral Coordination<\/strong>: She praised the ROK Navy\u2019s participation in trilateral operations with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, highlighting their importance for Indo-Pacific peace.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>\ud83d\udef0\ufe0f <strong>Project 33 Goals<\/strong>: The initiative included scaling robotic and autonomous systems, enhancing information dominance, and preparing Maritime Operations Centers (MOCs) for distributed warfare\u2014all of which would impact operations in Korea and beyond.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>However, her tenure was cut short in early 2025 when she was dismissed by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth amid a broader shake-up of military leadership. While her strategic framework remains influential, the execution of her Korean plans now depends on her successor and how closely they adhere to the Project 33 roadmap.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thedefensepost.com\/2024\/09\/20\/navy-unveils-project-33\/\">1 thedefensepost.com<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/defensescoop.com\/2024\/09\/18\/navy-cno-navigation-plan-project-33-robotic-systems-information-dominance\/\">2 defensescoop.com<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/news.usni.org\/2024\/09\/18\/cno-franchetti-war-plan-preparing-navy-for-pacific-conflict-by-2027-with-flat-budgets-static-fleet-size\">3 news.usni.org<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.navy.mil\/Press-Office\/Press-Releases\/display-pressreleases\/Article\/4030273\/readout-of-chief-of-naval-operations-adm-lisa-franchettis-meeting-with-republic\/\">4 www.navy.mil<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bing.com\/search?q=lisa+franchetti&amp;form=ANNTH1&amp;refig=1D08BC5792114351BBA5F2AE7670E2A6&amp;pc=U531&amp;adppc=EDGEESS&amp;pqlth=8&amp;assgl=15&amp;sgcn=lisa+franchetti&amp;sgtpv=LS&amp;smvpcn=0&amp;swbcn=10&amp;sctcn=0&amp;cvid=1D08BC5792114351BBA5F2AE7670E2A6&amp;kpratsg=1&amp;hsmssg=0\">5 www.bing.com<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\ud83d\udef0\ufe0f <strong>Project 33\u2019s Unmanned Systems: Strategic Impact Near Korea<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Project 33 is the U.S. Navy\u2019s aggressive modernization initiative aimed at integrating <strong>robotic and autonomous systems<\/strong> across the fleet by 2027. In the context of the Korean Peninsula, this reshapes naval operations in several key ways:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Distributed Surveillance &amp; ISR<\/strong>: Unmanned aerial and undersea vehicles (UxVs) can operate persistently in contested zones like the Yellow Sea and Sea of Japan, gathering intelligence without risking personnel.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Sea Denial &amp; Swarming Tactics<\/strong>: Small, attritable unmanned surface vessels (USVs) can be deployed in swarms to restrict adversary movement, particularly in chokepoints like the Korea Strait.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Hybrid Strike Groups<\/strong>: Carrier and Expeditionary Strike Groups will include robotic platforms for logistics, deception, and fires, enhancing reach and survivability.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Maritime Operations Centers (MOCs)<\/strong>: These will be upgraded to treat information as a weapon system, enabling commanders to fuse data from manned and unmanned assets for faster decision-making.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Forward Sustainment<\/strong>: Infrastructure in Japan and Guam is being expanded to support unmanned operations, allowing rapid repair and redeployment in crisis scenarios.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2696\ufe0f <strong>Geneva Convention Tensions: Where the Line Blurs<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Project 33\u2019s emphasis on autonomy flirts with the outer edges of international law, especially regarding <strong>proportionality, distinction, and accountability<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Proportionality Dilemma<\/strong>: Autonomous systems may struggle to evaluate whether civilian harm outweighs military advantage. AI lacks the moral calculus required by Article 57 of Additional Protocol I.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Distinction Challenges<\/strong>: Facial recognition and sensor-based targeting risk misidentifying non-combatants, especially in dense littoral zones like Busan or Incheon.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Human Accountability<\/strong>: Article 36 of Protocol I requires legal review of new weapons. Yet, lethal autonomous weapons (LAWS) can act without direct human oversight, raising questions about who bears responsibility for unlawful strikes.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>\u201cFire, Forget, and Find\u201d Tactics<\/strong>: As seen in Libya and Ukraine, drones operating without real-time human control have already triggered international concern. Project 33\u2019s sea-denial missions could replicate this model.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>\ud83e\udde0 <strong>The Ethical Frontier<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While unmanned systems offer strategic advantages, they also risk <strong>normalizing machine-led warfare<\/strong>. The U.S. has not committed to a binding treaty on LAWS, and Project 33\u2019s rapid deployment timeline may outpace legal frameworks. As Admiral Franchetti noted, \u201cWe must do so with a focus on how we will use these systems in war\u201d\u2014but the \u201chow\u201d remains a moving target.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/defensescoop.com\/2024\/09\/18\/navy-cno-navigation-plan-project-33-robotic-systems-information-dominance\/\">1 defensescoop.com<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.usni.org\/magazines\/proceedings\/2025\/january\/project-33-enabling-joint-all-domain-operations-indo-pacific\">2 www.usni.org<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ohchr.org\/sites\/default\/files\/documents\/hrbodies\/hrcouncil\/advisorycommittee\/techmilitarydomain\/submissions\/1-nhri-australian-hrc.pdf\">3 www.ohchr.org<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/totalmilitaryinsight.com\/legal-framework-for-drone-warfare\/\">4 totalmilitaryinsight.com<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img data-opt-id=1512242402  data-opt-src=\"https:\/\/ml6vmqguit1n.i.optimole.com\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/172-234-197-23.ip.linodeusercontent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/image-60.png\"  decoding=\"async\" width=\"860\" height=\"614\" src=\"data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20viewBox%3D%220%200%20100%%20100%%22%20width%3D%22100%%22%20height%3D%22100%%22%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%22100%%22%20height%3D%22100%%22%20fill%3D%22transparent%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-816\" old-srcset=\"https:\/\/ml6vmqguit1n.i.optimole.com\/w:860\/h:614\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/172-234-197-23.ip.linodeusercontent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/image-60.png 860w, https:\/\/ml6vmqguit1n.i.optimole.com\/w:300\/h:214\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/172-234-197-23.ip.linodeusercontent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/image-60.png 300w, https:\/\/ml6vmqguit1n.i.optimole.com\/w:768\/h:548\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/172-234-197-23.ip.linodeusercontent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/image-60.png 768w\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>WASHINGTON (Feb. 1, 2024) &#8211; Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Lisa Franchetti meets with Republic of Korea Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Yang Yong-mo for an office call at the Pentagon, Feb. 1. During the counterpart visit, Yang toured different facilities, received demonstrations on a variety of capabilities, and conducted meetings with senior U.S. Navy leaders to discuss maritime security cooperation, interoperability, and readiness. (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Michael B. Zingaro)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Admiral Lisa Franchetti\u2019s 2027 plans for Korea were part of a broader strategic initiative known as Project 33, which aimed to prepare the U.S. Navy for potential conflict scenarios in the Indo-Pacific, particularly involving China. While she was still in office, Franchetti met with Republic of Korea (ROK) Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Yang Yong-mo&hellip;&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/172-234-197-23.ip.linodeusercontent.com\/?p=805\" rel=\"bookmark\"><span class=\"screen-reader-text\">\ud83d\udef0\ufe0f Project 33<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":806,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"neve_meta_sidebar":"","neve_meta_container":"","neve_meta_enable_content_width":"","neve_meta_content_width":0,"neve_meta_title_alignment":"","neve_meta_author_avatar":"","neve_post_elements_order":"","neve_meta_disable_header":"","neve_meta_disable_footer":"","neve_meta_disable_title":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-805","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-historical-relevance"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/172-234-197-23.ip.linodeusercontent.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/805","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/172-234-197-23.ip.linodeusercontent.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/172-234-197-23.ip.linodeusercontent.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/172-234-197-23.ip.linodeusercontent.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/172-234-197-23.ip.linodeusercontent.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=805"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/172-234-197-23.ip.linodeusercontent.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/805\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":817,"href":"https:\/\/172-234-197-23.ip.linodeusercontent.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/805\/revisions\/817"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/172-234-197-23.ip.linodeusercontent.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/806"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/172-234-197-23.ip.linodeusercontent.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=805"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/172-234-197-23.ip.linodeusercontent.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=805"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/172-234-197-23.ip.linodeusercontent.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=805"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}