Vice Adm. Bill Merz, USN, the deputy chief of naval operations for warfare systems or N9, discusses closer integration of US Navy systems and capabilities, future fleet, manned-unmanned force mix, harnessing information and the right great power mindset with Defense & Aerospace Report Editor Vago Muradian. The interview was conducted at the Navy League’s 2019 Sea Air Space conference and tradeshow near Washington where our coverage was sponsored by GE Marine, Huntington Ingalls Industries and Leonardo DRS. Merz has been nominated to become the next commander of the 7th Fleet.