Ideas

Defense One Radio, Ep. 150: The state of the Navy

Our State of Defense series continues with discussion with the CNO and the 4th Fleet.

Policy

F-35 deliveries could resume in July, but the new jets won’t be combat-ready for a year or more

Program officials also say they’ll “reimagine” their upgrade plan, with new delays for some capabilities.

Business

The F-35 program is costing more and doing less, GAO says

Total sustainment costs are now expected to top $1.5 trillion, even as the jet’s mission-readiness declines.

Ideas

Defense concerns sink Korean bid for shipbuilder Austal

The Australian firm rebuffed a $662 million offer from South Korea’s Hanwha Ocean.

Defense Systems

The Navy wants to make info-warfare training ubiquitous

The plan is to open three new training centers and integrate nearly two dozen systems into the live, virtual, constructive training environment.

Threats

With Red Hill’s tanks virtually empty, closure task force begins work

The redistribution of fuel to locations around the Pacific “will really make us safer,” commander says.