Leaks, Drones, Mystery Attacks: US-Iran Tensions Boil Hot, But…

Leaks, Drones, Mystery Attacks: US-Iran Tensions Boil Hot, But…
Leaks, Drones, Mystery Attacks: US-Iran Tensions Boil Hot, But…

As troops and hardware are on the move in the Gulf, diplomats signal that no one is eager for war.

CNO: USS Lincoln Persian Gulf Trip No Surprise — ‘Planned For Some Time’

CNO: USS Lincoln Persian Gulf Trip No Surprise — ‘Planned For Some Time’
CNO: USS Lincoln Persian Gulf Trip No Surprise — ‘Planned For Some Time’

CNO John Richardson said Monday that, essentially, the Persian Gulf deployment was business as usual. “The Abraham Lincoln Strike Group was planned to deploy for some time now,” he told the SeaAirSpace conference.

China’s Eating Up US Drone Market; U.S. Troops At Risk

China’s Eating Up US Drone Market; U.S. Troops At Risk
China’s Eating Up US Drone Market; U.S. Troops At Risk

While Washington struggles to update its arms export policies, China is spreading its influence, one drone sale at a time.

Trump’s Generals, Part 2: Jim Mattis vs. Iran

Trump’s Generals, Part 2: Jim Mattis vs. Iran
Trump’s Generals, Part 2: Jim Mattis vs. Iran

Who are Trump’s generals? Yesterday, James Kitfield told us what these retired soldiers have in common as products of our post-9/11 wars. Now we’ll go deep into the formative experiences and geopolitical worldview of each man, starting today with the prospective Secretary of Defense, Gen. Jim Mattis. He’s been nicknamed both “Mad Dog” and “Warrior…

‘We’ve Got To Continue To Engage’ China: CNO Richardson

‘We’ve Got To Continue To Engage’ China: CNO Richardson
‘We’ve Got To Continue To Engage’ China: CNO Richardson

WASHINGTON: Despite rising tensions in the South China Sea, the US Navy’s top admiral says his Chinese counterparts “by and large” behave professionally, not provocatively, when the two nations meet at sea. And precisely because of those tensions, Adm. John Richardson said, it’s all the more important to emphasize cooperating with China, not confronting it.…

Confronting Conflict In The ‘Gray Zone’

Confronting Conflict In The ‘Gray Zone’
Confronting Conflict In The ‘Gray Zone’

A new Army War College report, Outplayed: Regaining Strategic Initiative in the Gray Zone, argues that the United States should adopt innovative approaches against a new and more complex set of international security challenges. “Outplayed” is the culmination of a nine-month study effort that was sanctioned by the Army Chief of Staff and sponsored by…

Navy’s ‘Klingon Bird Of Prey’ Passes Key Tests: LCS Trimaran

Navy’s ‘Klingon Bird Of Prey’ Passes Key Tests: LCS Trimaran
Navy’s ‘Klingon Bird Of Prey’ Passes Key Tests: LCS Trimaran

[UPDATED with shock trials] The strangest-looking ship in the Navy is conducting two crucial tests. A broad, triple-hulled “trimaran” design likened to a villain’s vessel from Star Trek, the Independence-class Littoral Combat Ship completed its Initial Operational Test & Evaluation on June 3rd. What’s more, the Navy Sea Systems Command announced yesterday, the USS Coronado (LCS 4) wrapped…

Navy Likely To Fill “Carrier Gap;” Readiness Will Suffer

Navy Likely To Fill “Carrier Gap;” Readiness Will Suffer
Navy Likely To Fill “Carrier Gap;” Readiness Will Suffer

WASHINGTON: The Navy says it won’t have an aircraft carrier in the Middle East for a couple of months this fall. That news has caused a lot of anxiety — but we may be worried about the wrong thing. The real problem may not be the gap itself but the price the Navy pays to close…

‘Carrier Gap’ In Gulf Is A Symptom, Not A Crisis

‘Carrier Gap’ In Gulf Is A Symptom, Not A Crisis
‘Carrier Gap’ In Gulf Is A Symptom, Not A Crisis

The geostrategic sky isn’t falling because the US won’t have an aircraft carrier in the Persian Gulf region for a period this fall. Land-based aircraft will do an excellent job of striking ISIL, analysts say, while smaller ships are better suited to combat Iran in the tight confines of the Gulf. “This is not an example of American…

From Sailors To Robots: A Revolution In Clearing Mines

From Sailors To Robots: A Revolution In Clearing Mines
From Sailors To Robots: A Revolution In Clearing Mines

This is the third in our exclusive series on the crucial but neglected question of sea mines and how well — or not — the United States manages this global and very real threat. Here we’re looking at the most promising technologies, ships and aircraft that can give the United States the edge in this crucial and complex battle.…

Sowing The Sea With Fire: The Threat Of Sea Mines

Sowing The Sea With Fire: The Threat Of Sea Mines
Sowing The Sea With Fire: The Threat Of Sea Mines

This is the second in our exclusive series on the crucial but neglected question of sea mines and how well — or not — the United States manages this very real global threat. Only 4.7 percent of the US Navy’s 275 warships are dedicated to mine warfare. Those small numbers face Iran’s several thousand naval mines, North Korea’s 50,000, China 100,000 or…

Minefields At Sea: From The Tsars To Putin

Minefields At Sea: From The Tsars To Putin
Minefields At Sea: From The Tsars To Putin

This is the first of three stories on the crucial but neglected question of sea mines and how well — or not — the United States manages this very real global threat. Since World War II, mines have sunk or crippled 15 US Navy ships, more than all other weapons put together. Like roadside bombs on land,…

Star Wars At Sea: Navy’s Laser Gets Real

Star Wars At Sea: Navy’s Laser Gets Real
Star Wars At Sea: Navy’s Laser Gets Real

PENTAGON: The age of laser weapons has officially begun. Since September, the Navy has had a $40 million, 30-kilowatt Laser Weapons System (LaWS) aboard the USS Ponce in the Persian Gulf. “They’re using it every single day,” said the Chief of Naval Research, Rear Adm. Matthew Klunder. Sailors — not contractors or engineers — perform basic…

US Navy Needs Fast Missile Craft — And LCS — in Persian Gulf

US Navy Needs Fast Missile Craft — And LCS — in Persian Gulf
US Navy Needs Fast Missile Craft — And LCS — in Persian Gulf

The Navy’s Fifth Fleet in the Persian Gulf doesn’t have an effective long-distance missile for ship-to-ship engagements. The Navy’s plans to eventually position eight Littoral Combat Ships (LCS) in the gulf by 2018 will not alleviate this problem, given current armament and design. (Tarbi wanted to use the Arabian Gulf instead of Persian, but the…