The Navy is exploring a new surface fleet model that would augment a carrier strike group with additional destroyers and cruisers that the strike group did not initially deploy with, a move leaders hope will bolster readiness and improve flexibility of forces worldwide.
Such a model brings a “plug-and-play” capability to naval forces like those currently in the Middle East – allowing for a…
ARLINGTON, Va. — The U.S. Navy is seeking proposals for its Landing Ship Medium program, which one Marine Corps leader called a top priority for the Navy-Marine amphibious team.
The services are “on pace to procure in ’25, deliver it in 2029,” Maj. Gen. Marcus…
JERUSALEM — The newly configured Spyder air defense system has intercepted a drone during a test with the Israeli military, the weapon’s manufacturer announced Wednesday.
The announcement comes amid the Israel-Hamas war and tension along Israel’s northern border with…
US Army carves out its role in space
January 10, 2024
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Army’s mission when it comes to operating in space and using space capabilities is shifting to adapt to the arrival of the U.S. Space Force.
Before the Space Force’s establishment in 2019, the Army’s space-related mission areas included satellite communication; intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; and missile warning. All of those capabilities were…
Germany’s Hensoldt hires Thales executive to lead company
January 10, 2024
PARIS — Defense electronics specialist Hensoldt has hired a competitor’s executive as its new leader, the German company announced Monday.
Oliver Dörre will become CEO at Hensoldt and replace outgoing boss Thomas Müller on April 1.
Dörre joins Hensoldt from the…
Here’s what the Navy is doing to boost SWO retention
January 10, 2024
Retention among surface warfare officers going into department head school is slightly down from last year, but numbers overall remain up as the service has launched several initiatives to keep SWOs in the service longer, according to officials.
SWOs have historically…
Navy chief to prioritize getting more ships ready for action
January 10, 2024
ARLINGTON, Va. — The chief of naval operations said Tuesday the service must “get more players on the field” as international crises demand more of the naval force, in her first major address since taking the helm of the Navy two months ago.
Adm. Lisa Franchetti said at the Surface Navy Association’s annual conference she’s focused on improving the Navy’s readiness, including the…
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Navy’s surface fleet, still short of its readiness goal of 75 combat-credible surface ships at any given time, is pursuing new ways to boost its readiness.
Then-Commander of Naval Surface Forces Vice Adm. Roy Kitchener, who retired in August…
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Air Force’s next-generation tanker was supposed to be the ideal candidate for a fixed-price development program.
Indeed, when Boeing first won the deal to build what’s now known as the KC-46, the defense contractor said it would use a “low-risk…
Bombardier wins US Army contract for new spy plane prototype
January 4, 2024
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Army awarded a contract to Bombardier Defense to provide at least one Global 6500 aircraft to serve as a prototype airframe for a new spy plane program, the service announced Wednesday.
The firm-fixed-price contract, awarded Dec. 12, includes an option to purchase two additional aircraft over a three-year period. The first aircraft’s delivery date is set for Oct. 1, the…
