The Naval Brief: More life for missile subs?; UUV ‘motherships’; Drone threats; and more...

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

Ohio life extension. The Navy is considering extending the life of the USS Alaska and up to four other Ohio-class ballistic missile submarines in case something unexpected happens before the new Columbia class arrives in numbers in the 2030s, Defense One reports. If they proceed with the idea, the subs would go through about an 18-month maintenance period to keep them operational for an additional three years.

UUV “motherships.” The Navy is working on underwater drones that can be launched and retrieved from submarines’ torpedo tubes, Defense One reports. The last step is getting the software to autonomously drive the drone back into the tube consistently after it’s completed a mission. 

Drone threats. Inexpensive, accessible, and expendable, uncrewed aerial vehicles pose a growing threat to the United States and its allies, according to the new Missile Defense Review, Defense One reports. A senior defense official said the Pentagon will look into “technical solutions” to defeat drones.

Sign up to get The Naval Brief every Thursday from Caitlin M. Kenney, Defense One’s military services reporter. On Nov. 5, 1915, Lt. Cmdr. Henry C. Mustin was catapulted off the USS North Carolina in an AB-2 flying boat, a first from a moving ship. 

From Defense One

How to Keep War With China From Being a Pick-Up Game // Bryan Clark

INDOPACOM needs a joint force headquarters now, not when crisis arrives.

Drones, Cruise Missiles Are Rising Threats to US Troops and Territory, Pentagon Says // Marcus Weisgerber

The Missile Defense Review also calls for building a missile shield to protect Guam.

That's it? Biden's Overdue Pentagon Strategy Underwhelms // Kevin Baron

After nearly two years, experts were hoping for more.