Ideas

The US Navy's Fleet Plan Has Two Strikes Against It

A recent report about the plan is classified, which will hinder leaders’ efforts to talk about it, and the service lacks a confirmed acquisition chief.

Ideas

HIMARS’ Hidden Superpower and Other Acquisition Lessons from Ukraine

With no U.S. troops on the ground, acquisition professionals are the operators making the difference.

Threats

CNO: Pacific Forces Can Learn from NATO’s Work with Ukraine

Leaders leave RIMPAC thinking about ways to increase info-sharing, international cooperation.

Science & Tech

Can a Fitness App Ease the Military’s Recruitment Crisis?

App gives recruiters a tool to monitor how their recruits are shaping up before shipping out.

Science & Tech

Robot Ships Debut at RIMPAC, Helping US Navy Sail Toward a Less-Crewed Future

Four unmanned surface vessels sailed with manned ships, sharing data and testing how they would operate with the larger U.S. fleet.

Policy

Dems Using Burn-Pit Vote To Target GOP Opponents in Midterms

“They’re for wars…but they’re not for veterans,” a Marine Corps vet running for the Senate said.

Business

SOCOM Orders Cropduster Attack Planes from L3Harris Technologies

The contract, which could grow to 75 aircraft, marks a major victory for proponents of prop-driven close air support.

Science & Tech

The US Navy Is Testing 5G For Future Forward Operating Bases

From drone-deployed 5G networks to digital twinning, a small 5G pilot is rewriting the rules for battlefield connectivity.

Policy

US Navy Fleet Plan Needs 3-5% Annual Budget Increases for the Next Two Decades

CNO’s Navigation Plan 2022 codifies fleet plans years in the making, but can it survive Congress?

Defense Systems

A Navy Cyber Effort Is Fixing Thousands of Holes—and Building Tech Talent

A 10th Fleet operation gives tech-curious reservists some training and a real-world mission.

Ideas

The US Navy Should Assemble a Fleet for Littoral Campaigns

Don't build a fleet to fight off a Chinese invasion force; build one that gives the U.S. and allies more options.

Exclusive Threats

CNO Seeks Not Just Interoperability But Interchangeability With Foreign Militaries

And that starts with “ships being honest with themselves,” Adm. Gilday told Defense One.