The Naval Brief: Navy budget; Marines staying in Europe; Underwater drone; and more...

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

Fewer ships for a bigger fleet. The Navy’s 2023 budget request calls for shedding two dozen ships to reinvest their costs elsewhere, despite the Navy’s stated goal of reaching 355 ships, Defense One reports. The Marines are planning to spend more on readiness as they continue their transformative efforts and intend to buy less aircraft. 

Staying in Europe a little longer. About 400 Marines who just finished up the Cold Response 22 exercise in Norway will be staying in Europe to build up the U.S. presence to assure NATO allies, Stars and Stripes reported. About 200 Marines from Marine Air Control Group 28 from North Carolina are in Lithuania, and another 200 Marines, 10 F-18 Hornets, and a few C-130 Hercules aircraft from South Carolina will deploy to Easern Europe.

Navy’s next underwater drone. The Navy has selected Huntington Ingalls Industries’ Remus 300 for its Lionfish small unmanned undersea vehicle program, Defense One reports. The drone is capable of swapping out its battery and hard drive in the field to allow sailors to return it to the water quickly.

Sign up to get The Naval Brief every Thursday from Caitlin M. Kenney, Defense One’s military services reporter. On this day in 1801, President Thomas Jefferson and Marine Corps Commandant Lt. Col. William Burrows established the location for the Marine Barracks in Washington, D.C. at 8th and I Streets S.E., near the Navy Yard and the Capitol building.

From Defense One

Confederate Names and Symbols on Hundreds of Military Roads, Structures, Ships Under Review // Caitlin M. Kenney and Bradley Peniston

Congress' Naming Commission has revealed what else besides base names may get relabeled or removed—right down to a water tank.

Biden's Nuke Review Omits 'No First Use', Kills Naval Cruise Missile // Tara Copp

The president, who pledged during the campaign to use nuclear weapons only in response to a similar attack, declined to set that as U.S. policy.

Russia Has Fired 'Multiple' Hypersonic Missiles Into Ukraine, US General Confirms // Patrick Tucker

The stunt, likely meant to intimidate Ukraine and allies, has not had the effect Moscow intended.

Let's Correct a Misperception About Nuclear Modernization // Rep. Jim Cooper and Rep. Doug Lamborn

An article left the impression that a new fuze would vastly increase the capability of our nuclear arsenal. It's simply not the case.