2021 Top Ten: Navy

Here are some of the top Navy stories from 2021:

Globe-Spanning Wargame Puts New Naval Concepts to the Test // Caitlin M. Kenney: Large Scale Exercise 21 is connecting thousands of sailors and Marines to try out and develop warfighting concepts intended to be central to tomorrow's fight.

US Navy’s Latest Plan for Its Future May Not Come Until 2023, Says Top Admiral // Bradley Peniston: It’s the fourth attempt in four years to define the future of the Navy.

New Destroyer, Armed With Lasers and Hypersonic Missiles, Envisioned as Navy’s Future Centerpiece // Marcus Weisgerber: U.S. admirals made the case for the new ship during a virtual conference this week.

US Navy’s Shipbuilding Plan Doesn’t Meet Congress’ Needs, Lawmakers Say // Caitlin M. Kenney: The past few have come with a “check-the-box mentality,” Rep. Wittman said.

Navy Finds 32 Problems with Littoral Combat Ships // Caitlin M. Kenney: Study reveals “key reliability issues” and maintenance averaging up to two weeks per month to fix.

Navy Drone Refuels Fighter Jet, a Key Step Toward Adding UAVs to Carrier Wings // Caitlin M. Kenney: The MQ-25 T1 Stingray is slated for tests on an aircraft carrier later this year ahead of a planned 2025 deployment.

US Navy Will Upgrade Warships to Add Unnamed Space Capabilities // Caitlin M. Kenney: “Everything is classified” when it comes to space, one admiral complained.

Drones Could One Day Make Up 40% of a Carrier Air Wing, Navy Says // Patrick Tucker: The Department’s new unmanned plan directs focus not just on drones but on their “enabling technologies.”

Lawmakers Blast Acting Navy Secretary’s Defunding of Naval Nuclear Cruise Missile // Caitlin M. Kenney: Harker confirmed that he did not consult with Pentagon or military leaders on the planned nuclear missile.

Calls Grow Urgent for Improving Guam’s Missile Defenses // Caitlin M. Kenney: “The threat to Guam will only increase over the next five years,” says INDOPACOM’s No. 2.