Naval

French navy eyeing US progress in unmanned, ‘data-centric’ operations

France believes U.S. advances in unmanned systems, artificial intelligence and networked operations could shape its naval tech investments and concept development work.

The congressional fight to scrap littoral combat ships isn’t over

Congress appears poised to save five littoral combat ships from an early retirement, but the chairman of the House Armed Services Committee is saying that the fight to ditch the ships is not yet over.

House defense bill calls for US-built ships to modernize strategic sealift fleet

After neglecting strategic sealift for too long, some in Congress are trying a new approach to get the Navy and the Maritime Administration to invest in new US-made ships.

Viasat to test 5G networking for Marine Corps operations

The U.S. Marine Corps plans to conduct expeditionary advanced base operations in the near future, both for offensive and defensive reasons. But command and control remains a big barrier.

Rep. Rob Wittman on US Navy ship retirements and a sea-launched nuclear weapon

Two key issues have emerged this year as the most contentious for the Navy: a proposal to decommission 24 ships, and a decision to cut funding for a sea-launched tactical nuclear weapon. Congressional committees are thus far split on these issues, and the House Armed Services Committee will weigh in on Wednesday.

Lockheed Martin blends AI decision aide, virtual Aegis combat system in drill near Guam

A pair of Lockheed Martin tools recommended offensive and defensive firing solutions to joint force commanders at Valiant Shield 2022, and a second system digitally sent the targeting data to shooters on the ground.

Marines still have big plans for seabasing ships as 2 head for mothballs

Proposed ship retirements that would take nine littoral combat ships offline also would end the career of two unconventional seabasing vessels that have less than a decade in service.

Marine Pacific commander vows to bolster Japanese defenses against China, Russia

The U.S. Marine presence is focused on the so-called first island chain in the western Pacific.

China launches third aircraft carrier

China has launched its third and largest aircraft carrier to date at a shipyard in Shanghai, the first of its type there to feature a catapult aircraft launch system.

Surface warfare officers cautiously optimistic about changes since Fitz and McCain disasters

“Acknowledging a positive trend requires you to acknowledge you’re coming from somewhere negative."

A-10 retirements, more Air Force F-35s in Senate defense policy bill

This could finally break a years-long impasse between the Air Force and Congress over the iconic attack plane.

New bill would establish AUKUS submarine training program

A new training program would enroll young Australian naval officers in U.S. nuclear propulsion and submarine officer schoolhouses, and then send them to sea on a U.S. boat, ahead of Australia developing and fielding its own nuclear-powered sub.

Five years later: Inside the Navy’s data-driven quest to avert a future Fitzgerald or McCain collision

The surface navy has worked since 2017 to avoid future fatal collisions. But Navy-wide, there's evidence of failure to learn. The service is now turning to data to ensure it never has another Fitzgerald or McCain disaster again.

HII develops unmanned launch and recovery system for amphib ships

The Marine Corps wants the option to covertly launch unmanned boats out the back of its amphibious ships. HII has tested that enabler for the first time.

Commentary

US Navy secretary previews priorities for Pacific tour

At the top of his mind is a threat impacting the service's mission, people, platforms and installations.

Cambodia hits back at Chinese base claims

Cambodia's defense minister also discussed the military's modernization efforts during the Shangri-La Dialogue security summit.

Spear unveils submarine-launched Ninox 103 drone

Israeli company Spear has unveiled a new drone that launches from a submarine and loiters for nearly an hour, providing surveillance while the launch platform remains submerged.

AT&T demonstrates 5G capability for US Navy ‘smart warehouse’

Throughput speeds of 3.9 gigabits per second, with less than 10 milliseconds of latency, were delivered during an April 28 event in California.

House panel sides with Marine Corps in protecting amphibious fleet size

A House panel aims to protect the amphibious fleet from cuts and bolster the sealift fleet in its proposal for the fiscal 2023 defense authorization bill.

Defense News naval reporter wins Ford Foundation journalism prize

Eckstein will be honored for her coverage of everything from U.S. shipyard modernization to the Ukrainian navy’s effort to rebuild and prepare for its war against Russia.

See satellite images of China’s new aircraft carrier

China’s most advanced aircraft carrier to date appears to be nearing completion, satellite photos show, with experts suggesting the vessel could be launched soon.

Marines closing down Kuwait gear stockpile to focus on Pacific

The Marine Corps is shuttering its combat gear storage program in the Middle East.

Major Baltic Sea exercise kicks off as Swedish, Finnish NATO bids wait on Turkey

The NATO exercise BALTOPS – to be held on the Baltic Sea next week – is the latest showing of unity and military strength as Sweden and Finland trade neutrality for NATO’s embrace in the wake of Russia’s three-month-old invasion of Ukraine.

Marine Corps Reserve gets new missions, new roles and a whole new design

For decades the Marine Reserve was a near-carbon copy of the active side. Not anymore.

Japan’s converted aircraft carrier to undertake Indo-Pacific deployment

The JS Izumo will accompany the destroyers JS Takanami and JS Kirisame as well as an unnamed submarine for the Indo-Pacific Deployment 2022 voyage, which is set to take place June 13-Oct. 28.