The Naval Brief: Drone fleet; Strategy update; Trainee death investigation; and more...

Welcome to The Naval Brief, a weekly look at the news and ideas shaping the sea services’ future.

Middle East drone fleet. The Navy has a goal for a multinational fleet of 100 drones to patrol waters in the Middle East by next summer, and it expects to meet its target contribution of  20 surface drones next month, Defense One reports. The two drone types in the fleet will be for long-duration monitoring and rapid incident response. 

New strategy. China remains the “pacing challenge” in the White House’s new National Security Strategy, but Russia is now just an “acute” threat, Defense One reports. The document emphasizes international coalitions and protecting American technology.

Death investigation. Seaman Kyle Mullen died just hours after completing Hell Week to become a SEAL, but a fellow trainee had tried to get him medical help days beforehand and was turned away, The New York Times reports. The Navy has a separate investigation looking into problems with the course.  

Sign up to get The Naval Brief every Thursday from Caitlin M. Kenney, Defense One’s military services reporter. Today is the Navy’s 247th birthday. You can watch Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro’s birthday message here. 

From Defense One

Civilians Will Choose the Marine Corps' Future—and Soon // Paula Thornhill

And they will do it by selecting the next commandant and other four- and three-star generals.

A Russian Tactical Nuke Wouldn't Confer Much Battlefield Advantage, Experts Say // Patrick Tucker

But the environmental and health effects would be enormous and long-lasting.

Oversight of Special Operations Forces Requires Better Data, Watchdog Says // Edward Graham

The data collected by U.S. Special Operations Command lacks consistency and transparency, the Government Accountability Office found.

New National Security Strategy Returns Focus to Rules, Partnerships, and American Leadership // Patrick Tucker

China is a "pacing" threat, Russia just an "acute" one—but international partnerships, the old global order are key to beating both.