The Virginia-class fast-attack submarine USS Texas (SSN 775) transits Tokyo Bay before arriving at Fleet Activities Yokosuka in December 2015. U.S. Navy/Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Brian G. Reynolds
The Naval Brief: SecNav nominee; Missile decision woes; Counter-China task force; And more...
The Naval Brief: SecNav nominee; Missile decision woes; Counter-China task force; And more...
Welcome to The Naval Brief, a weekly look at the news and ideas shaping the sea services’ future.
A nominee, finally. Carlos Del Toro has been nominated to be the new Navy secretary, the final service secretary position to be filled. He faces several challenges, but the most pressing on day one will be the 2022 budget and the future size of the fleet, defense analysts told Defense One.
Memo blowback. Lawmakers are still mad about the internal June 4 memo from acting Navy Secretary Thomas Harker that calls for defunding the nuclear sea-launched cruise missile in the 2023 budget, Defense One reports. Harker told the House Armed Services Committee he didn’t consult with anyone on the decision, including the chief of naval operations.
Pacific naval task force. The Pentagon is looking into establishing a permanent naval task force in the Pacific region to counter China’s military aggression, Politico reports. This week China sent 28 warplanes into Taiwan-controlled airspace, causing the country to scramble plans and deploy its missile defense systems, NPR reports.
Sign up to get The Navy Brief every Thursday from Caitlin M. Kenney, Defense One’s military services reporter. On this day in 1898, the Navy Hospital Corps was established. It has become the most decorated enlisted community in the Navy, with 22 Medal of Honor recipients, 179 Navy Crosses and 959 Silver Stars.
From Defense One
Navy Needs 'Champion' In Secretary Nominee Del Toro, Analysts Say // Caitlin M. Kenney: The service faces a tight 2022 budget and ship-buying concerns.
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.
What 5G Will Actually Do for the U.S. Military // Patrick Tucker: Lots of sensors, lots of data, open up the possibilities of energy conservation, better security, robot teaming, and much more, military experiments show.
US Navy Punts on Building a Fleet to Compete with China // Brent D. Sadler: The 2022 budget proposal aims to increase future capability but misses the reality facing it today.
F-35 Supply Chain Recovering From COVID Slowdown, Lockheed’s New JSF Chief Says // Marcus Weisgerber: 2021 deliveries could return almost to the level once planned for 2020.