Breaking Defense – The Navy’s Extra Large Unmanned Undersea Vehicle program may not transition to a program record following eight years and approximately $885 million spent on its development, according to a new report by government auditors.
Author Archives: Naval Open Source Intelligence (NOSI)
Troubled Constellation Frigate Is Now At Least 759 Metric Tons Overweight
The War Zone – Major changes to the Constellation’s base design have already caused delays a
Necessity of Evolution: CSG Deployment After Highmast
RUSI – The primacy of the Russian threat to Europe may not eliminate the value of CSG deployments but in the future they should take a different form as dictated by the threat environment. The current emphasis on diplomacy might be better served by less operationally valuable assets.
Two Chinese Aircraft Carriers Are Operating Beyond The First Island Chain For The First Time
The War Zone – The presence of Chinese carrier strike groups farther east than ever before is a taste of what’s to come as the PLAN’s reach expands.
Indian Navy to Commission its First Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft, INS Arnala
Indian Defence Research Wing – The event marks the formal induction of the first of the 16 ASW-SWC class ships into the Indian Navy.
(Thanks to Alain)
Get Ready for the New Rules of War in the Indo-Pacific
War on the Rocks – If you play the game, you must know the rules. How will the laws of targeting and rules of engagement apply in such a contingency? Unfortunately, U.S. military commanders are poorly trained on these matters, if they are even trained at all.
As the Defense Department shifts toward deterring war or winning a conflict in the Western Pacific, a grasp of the legal concepts required for mission accomplishment has lagged.
PROTEUS – the Royal Navy’s uncrewed ASW helicopter nearing first flight
Navy Lookout – We spoke with Leonardo representatives at the recent Combined Naval Event in Farnborough about the current status of the PROTEUS Rotary Wing Air System (RWAS) project.
Israeli navy strikes Houthi-controlled port city of Hudaydah
BBC – Israeli navy ships have struck targets in the port city of Hudaydah in Houthi-controlled Yemen.
U.S. Project at Philippine Navy Base to Support Unmanned Surface Vessels
USNI News – The U.S. is planning to upgrade a Philippine naval base crucial for Manila’s South China Sea operations with a maintenance facility capable of supporting unmanned surface vessels, according to documents.
South Korea’s ADD showcases new Supercavitating Torpedo at MADEX 2025
Naval News – ADD (Agency for Defense Development), the agency responsible for South Korea’s defense technology research and development, showcased a Supercavitating Torpedo during MADEX 2025. The torpedo showcased this year featured a different shape and design compared to previously known ADD torpedoes.
U.S. Navy Destroyer Practices Wartime Repair in the Philippines
Naval News – A U.S. Navy destroyer simulated wartime repair in the Philippines through an initiative that seeks to improve the fleet’s readiness during a port visit to Subic Bay earlier this year.
The Geopolitics of Darwin, Australia
National Interest – James Holmes says that leaving the port of Darwin in Chinese hands would bestow on Beijing a golden opportunity to make mischief for Australia and its allies.
Poland, Baltic states eye new submarines, attack boats to deter Russia
Defense News – Poland and the Baltic states are accelerating efforts to acquire new submarines and vessels that will broaden their capabilities suitable for the sea’s shallow waters.
Submarines “As-a-Service” Will Get More Players on the Field Today
Naval News – Incoming Navy Secretary John Phelan, a seasoned investor with decades in private equity, takes office with a clear mission: to rebuild America’s Navy and revitalize the maritime industrial base. This will require bold, unconventional solutions to expand the fleet, integrate advanced combat capabilities, and, most importantly, restore fleet readiness. To do this, the Navy must look beyond traditional shipbuilding solutions. A “submarines-as-a-service” model—leveraging private industry and allied diesel-electric submarine producers—presents a way to quickly field Navy-trained, civilian-crewed undersea vessels that can fill critical training and development gaps.
Plans for the Royal Navy’s Extra Large Underwater Autonomous Vehicle – XV Excalibur
Navy Lookout – The RN has released a short video detailing plans for its first XLUAV, acquired under project CETUS, which has now been launched and named XV Excalibur. Here we summarise the presentation and the future of the programme.
UK SSN AUKUS grand plan hinges on ‘significant’ shipbuilding investment: Analysts
Breaking Defense – It will take huge investment in local shipbuilding for the UK to acquire “up to” 12 nuclear-powered attack submarines (SSNs) under the trilateral AUKUS program, with each vessel estimated to cost $3.4 billion, according to analysts. Even then, potential obstacles tied to shipyard expansion, and financial risk for BAE Systems could conspire to ruin the big ticket procurement altogether, said one expert.
Royal Navy details ambitions for FADS programme, Type 83 destroyer
Naval News – The UK Royal Navy has outlined its ambitions for the Maritime Integrated Air and Missile Defence and Strike (M-IAMDS) capability and associated Type 83 destroyer host platform planned for delivery under the Future Air Dominance System (FADS) programme.
Danish Chief of Defence recommends abandoning frigate upgrade
Naval News – In a controversial announcement reported by Danish outlet DR News, the Danish Chief of Defence, General Michael Hyldgaard, has recommended to the Ministry of Defence and the parties of the Defence Agreement to abandon the ongoing repair and planned upgrade of the Danish Navy’s Iver Huitfeldt-class air defence frigates.
Voyage to the Island of Hope – Three days underway with the Philippine Coast Guard in the South China Sea.
USNI News – It was a lazy afternoon on the bridge of the Philippine Coast Guard patrol boat. The crew snacked on crackers and listened to music from an officer’s phone, all the while scanning the horizon and checking their Furuno radar for any new contacts that could join the two China Coast Guard cutters stalking their three-ship formation…
Smaller Version Of Quicksink Ship-Killing Smart Bomb Tested By USAF
The War Zone – A 500-pound-class Quicksink bomb offers a lower-cost anti-ship weapon that bombers and fighters could carry in significant numbers.
Small Craft, Big Impact: Ukraine’s Naval War and the Rise of New Tech Warships
CIMSEC – Over the past few years, Ukraine’s growing use of naval drones has pushed both sides to rapidly adapt, accelerating the race for countermeasures and maritime innovation. NATO would do well to study Ukraine’s approach as it prepares for the future of warfare at sea.
Israel Navy deploys unmanned submarines to protect gas rigs
Globes – The UUVs are being used by the IDF to analyze maritime threats in Israel’s economic waters.
(Thanks to Alain)
Implications of the 2025 Strategic Defence Review for the Royal Navy
Navy Lookout – The SDR has finally been published. Here we focus on what this document and accompanying announcements say or don’t say about the future for the Royal Navy and wider defence issues.
A large landing ship “Vladimir Andreev” was launched
BMPD – The ceremony of simultaneous laying for the Russian Navy of two large landing ships of the modified project 11711 “Vladimir Andreev” (factory number 303) and “Vasily Trushin” (factory number 304) took place at the PSZ “Yantar” in Kaliningrad on April 23, 2019, but their construction, as usual, turned into a long-term construction. Initially, the delivery of the new BDK “Vladimir Andreev” and “Vasily Trushin” was scheduled for 2023 and 2024. During the descent of the lead ship, it was announced that 2026 is now considered to be the term of commissioning of the lead ship.
(In Russian)
(Thanks to Alain)
How to Strengthen the US Navy on a Budget
National Interest – The U.S. Navy could procure roughly seven diesel boats for the price of one nuclear-powered boat—and boost the inventory toward 66 subs far sooner than midcentury.
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