Ideas
The US Navy Should Start Weaning its Reactors off Bomb-Grade Uranium
Most of the world's reactors use low-enriched uranium. There are at least three good reasons the U.S. fleet should as well.
Policy
Here’s What the Services Want from Congress This Year
After lawmakers pass the budget promised by February’s bipartisan deal, the three secretaries have other priorities for legislative action.
Defense Systems
Service heads demur on DOD's cloud plan
At a D.C. defense policy event, the secretaries of the Army, Navy and Air Force skirted the issue of the Pentagon's centralized cloud procurement strategy.
Business
Lockheed: Pentagon Negotiators Are Becoming More Unpredictable
The company’s CFO says willingness to discard precedent has stalled a new deal for the F-35 — and even affected the C-130.
Business
How to Grow the Military Without Buying More Ships, Planes, Tanks
Pentagon leaders want to shorten the time spent on overhauls, keeping the weapons more available to fight.
Ideas
Chinese Sub Commanders May Get AI Help for Decision-Making
But can a recent news report be taken at face value? A CNAS fellow unpacks the intersection of Chinese tech, messaging, and naval power.
Threats
Want to Understand the Future of War? Talk to Chuck Krulak
As Marine commandant, Krulak bucked Pentagon wisdom and rebuilt the Corps for small, messy conflicts. Now his ideas run through the National Defense Strategy, urban-ops doctrine, and Jim Mattis' head.
Policy
Qatar Wants to Host US Ships, Expand Air Base For American Families
Amid the Saudi-led blockade, the Qatari defense minister came to Washington seeking deeper ties with U.S.
Ideas
The US Navy's Next Frigate Should Jumpstart a Revitalization of the Defense Industrial Base
As it searches for a good design at a good price, the Pentagon should bear in mind decades-old lessons about manufacturing's ties to national security.
Ideas
Give the Low-Yield SLBM its Day in Court
There are advantages to lowering the yields on a portion of America's nuclear-tipped sub-launched ballistic missiles.
Ideas
Russian Subs Are Sniffing Around Transatlantic Cables. Here’s What to Do About It
First, realize that they carry more than just phone calls and email.
Threats
Nuclear Command Network Would See Comprehensive Upgrade Under Trump Plan
While the ICBMs, bombers, submarines and cruise missiles get lots of attention, the network connecting them also needs updating.
Threats
North Korea-Bound Ships Could Soon Be Routinely Intercepted by the US and Allies
Foreign ministers from the U.S. and about 20 other countries will weigh the measures as part of new pressure on Pyongyang to abandon its nuclear and ballistic missile weapons programs.
Policy
The Pentagon’s Secrecy Is Undermining Its Quest for a Bigger Budget
Last year, U.S. Navy and defense leaders warned their people to watch what they say. Lawmakers say that’s made it harder to argue for spending bumps on Capitol Hill.
Business
US Navy: More Ships, Tech, Training, Could Help Prevent Collisions at Sea
The comments come as the Pentagon prepares to submit a budget plan expected to call for increases in the size of the military.
Threats
A Holiday Spike in Russian Vessels Near UK Waters
A pair of late-December incidents near Britain's territorial waters are just the latest approaches by Russian maritime forces over the past few years.
Business
Boeing May Lose Canada’s Super Hornet Order, Yet Jet’s Outlook is Bright
The past year has brought a trade dispute with Ottawa, a big deal with the U.S. Navy, and improved prospects elsewhere.
Ideas
It Took Comfort 39 Days to Get Pierside in Puerto Rico. That's a National-Security Problem.
The hospital ship's poor utilization suggests that the US military's biomedical support doctrine needs shoring up.
Threats