“The contradictions and the flaws in this report are so blatant that I think it’s a pretty weak reed to lean on…given the fact that [the Trump administration] basically were just doing Obama’s shipbuilding plan up until this point,” says Rep. Joe Courtney
By Paul McLearyMilitary innovation and savings: Go commercial
DoD uses FAR Part 12 acquisitions to save hundreds of millions of dollars in “of a type” systems like civil landing systems with applicability to military aircraft.
“Look, I’m an Army guy,” Milley said. “And I love the Army…but the fundamental defense of the United States and the ability to project power forward will always be for America naval and air and space power.”
By Paul McLeary
With repair costs coming in at about $3.2 billion, the navy is forced to walk away from one of 10 amphibious ships slated to play a big role in the competition with China
By Paul McLeary
Esper’s Navy plan remains stuck at the White House, but with the Trump term running out, what parts of it will survive?
By Paul McLeary
The Navy awarded a big contract to modify its newest aircraft carrier — tossing the ball back to Capitol Hill which demanded the work, but neglected to provide funding.
By Paul McLeary
Smith sees a blue wave as exposing fissures within the party over “how much do you spend on defense, and what does your presence in the world look like,” Smith said, noting that progressives are skeptical about defense spending and overseas deployments
By Paul McLeary
It’s unclear if Robert O’Brien’s calls for hypersonic missiles on destroyers and building more frigates indicate he is inserting himself in Pentagon budget planning.
By Paul McLeary
How to ensure readiness of next-generation defense technology: Solving the issue of massive heat.
High-performance systems generate tremendous amounts of heat that can compromise missions and make high-tech systems less effective in tactical environments. But there is a solution to this modern-age challenge.
“This is a terrible idea for several reasons,” Bryan Clark of the Hudson Institute said. The oldest ships would need to undergo a service life extension, while the newer ships would have to undergo expensive upgrades for a complex new mission.
By Paul McLeary
The Navy isn’t part of an Army/Air Force project to build a new tactical network, though the CNO said he wants the Navy’s version to “plug into JADC2” once it’s up and running.
By Paul McLeary
In his first substantive public comments about the fleet since assuming the job in May, Kenneth Braithwaite talks about carrier cuts, pumping up shipbuilding budget, and promises from Defense secretary Esper
By Paul McLeary “We don’t have 20 years to do this,” said Rep. Rob Wittman. “We need to be modernizing our yards now…the upgrades need to be done at a faster pace.”
By Paul McLeary
Headlines have celebrated the carrier’s new F-35s — but the Navy also added upgrades to the Vinson for the MQ-25 refueling drone, which could be a game-changer for future ops.
By Paul McLeary
The new ships will come from the Navy budget, and “the Marines are not asking for a nickel more,” from Congress, Commandant Gen. David Berger said.
By Paul McLeary
The draft bill comes after budget talks between House Dems and the White House fell apart on Friday. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell rejected today’s proposal out of hand.
By Paul McLeary
