War on the Rocks – To better understand the conflict between the Houthis and the naval powers protecting shipping in the region, it is important to revisit competing ideas about naval strategy in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. One side emphasized traditional fleets and naval power while the other including a group originating in France known as the Jeune École (young school) posited an alternative approach to naval warfare. It relied on small flotilla craft armed with torpedoes to put traditional fleets at risk and expose their commercial shipping to relentless attack. Today, the United States and its naval partners possess the traditional fleet, while it could be argued that the Houthis are reimagining the Jeune École for the 21st century.
Author Archives: Naval Open Source Intelligence (NOSI)
Get the US Navy’s frigate program back on schedule
Defense News – The recent review of shipbuilding progress is an important step in correcting the current cost overruns and schedule slippage. However, the U.S. Navy secretary’s rather timid response of only directing the FFG design team to gather at the shipyard was far too timid.
China Maritime Report No. 37: Re-Engaging With the World: China’s Military Diplomacy in 2023
China Maritime Studies Institute – China’s military diplomacy plays a crucial role in advancing the nation’s foreign policy objectives and safeguarding its strategic interests. This report highlights a diverse array of activities within military diplomacy, including senior-level meetings, joint military exercises, naval port calls, UN peacekeeping operations, and academic exchanges. Our findings reveal a significant—but incomplete—recovery in China’s military diplomacy activities in 2023, following a period of reduced contacts with foreign militaries during the COVID-19 pandemic. Southeast Asia and Russia remain primary partners for China, with emerging strategic importance also seen in Africa, Oceania, and the Middle East. Overall, China’s military diplomacy underscores its efforts to diversify partnerships and assert its global influence, emphasizing regional stability and international cooperation in pursuit of its diplomatic goals.
Army Deploys Typhon Missile System To China’s Backyard For The First Time
The War Zone – The Army’s Typhon system, which can fire Tomahawk and SM-6 missiles, is in the Philippines for its inaugural Indo-Pacific deployment.
The Lowdown On Lockheed’s Newly Revealed Mako Hypersonic Missile
The War Zone – Mako was the loser of the Stand-In Attack Weapon tender, but offers clues as to the capabilities of that weapon, made by Northrop Grumman.
Signs Point To Combat Debut Of Navy’s SM-3 Interceptor Against Iranian Ballistic Missiles
The War Zone – U.S. warships and fighters, specifically F-15E Strike Eagles, played a major role in the defense of Israel during Iran’s barrage.
U.S. Warships in Eastern Mediterranean Down Iranian Ballistic Missiles
USNI News – USS Carney (DDG-64) and USS Arleigh Burke (DDG-51) shot down between four and six Iranian-launched ballistic missiles.
DARPA’s Defiant Fully Uncrewed Demonstrator Ship Will Hit The Seas Later This Year
The War Zone – Serco’s super efficient and low-cost Defiant could have wide-ranging utility for the Navy, including working as a missile-laden drone boat.
Iranian troops descend from helicopter to seize Israel-linked ship
BBC – Iran has seized a commercial ship with links to Israel as it passed through the Strait of Hormuz early on Saturday.
Don’t Count on Us: Canada’s Military Unreadiness
War on the Rocks – Canada’s military is in a “death spiral.” This is how Minister of National Defense Bill Blair described the state of Canada’s armed forces at last month’s Ottawa Conference on Security and Defense.
French Frigate Captain Describes Frenetic Red Sea Combat
The War Zone – The French frigate Alsace faced “uninhibited violence” from the Houthis via waves of drones and ballistic missile attacks.
Type 26 frigate construction and shipyard investment – progress update
Navy Lookout – Here we summarise recent progress with the Royal Navy’s Type 26 frigate programme and the £300 million shipyard infrastructure investments being made by BAE Systems in Glasgow.
To Meet Critical Pacific Logistics Needs, U.S. Navy To Lean On International Help
The War Zone – Leveraging logistics partnerships with allies in the region could be critical in a face-off against China across the vast Pacific.
French CSG To Sail Under NATO Command For The First Time
Naval News – Aircraft Carrier Charles de Gaulle and her escort are to set course mainly for the Eastern Mediterranean and will be operating under NATO command for the first time.
Rush Is On To Give Smaller And Older Navy Ships Advanced Electronic Attack Capability
The War Zone – A scalable system will gives critical electronic attack capabilities to ships that can’t handle the massive new SEWIP Block III system.
US Navy Completes First MK 38 MOD 4 GWS Install
Naval News – The DDG-51 Flight IIA guided missile destroyer USS Mustin (DDG 89) has become the first US Navy warship to receive the MSI-Defence Systems MK 38 MOD 4 30 mm gun weapon system.
Project Overmatch’s Small says EW is ‘killer app’ for unmanned tech
Defense News – Unmanned technologies for years have been used to scout dangerous areas, schlep much-needed supplies and deliver destructive payloads. But for one U.S. Navy commander, there’s another more-promising application.
MQ-25 Stingray Tanker Drone Armed With Stealthy Anti-Ship Missiles Makes Perfect Sense
The War Zone – Arming MQ-25s with standoff weapons fits with the Navy’s future air wing vision and would provide unique capabilities suited to a Pacific fight.
How US Navy experiments could get drones beyond spying and into battle
Defense News – The U.S. Navy needs to move its unmanned systems “beyond surveillance” roles and toward more consequential missions, according to Rear Adm. Kevin Smith, the service’s program lead on drones and small combatants.
Navy Wants A Cheap Heavy Torpedo That Can Be Stockpiled Fast
The War Zone – The Navy is eyeing a torpedo that can be procured fast and efficiently to augment the more advanced Mk 48 ADCAP.
Budget office says amphibious ship could cost triple Navy’s estimate
Defense News – The Congressional Budget Office expects the Landing Ship Medium program to cost billions of dollars more than the U.S. Navy previously estimated, though the organization noted that ongoing questions about the ship’s role create uncertainty on the final design and cost.
Navy’s Vision For Disposable Carrier-Based Loyal Wingman Drones Comes Into Focus
The War Zone – The Navy wants carrier-based drones to cost less than $15 million and be ‘consumed’ as weapons or targets when their short service ends.
The UK Littoral Response Group (South) arrives in the Indo-Pacific
Navy Lookout – The concept of a permanently forward-deployed UK ‘Littoral Response Group’ has been around since early 2019 but only now has this vision been partially fulfilled. Now that the 2 ships have arrived in India, here we look at the background and future employment of the LRG(S).
Israel’s Ship-Based Iron Dome Just Got Its First Combat Kill
The War Zone – Israel has used the ship-based version of its Iron Dome air defense system for the first time in combat.
Rolling Airframe Missiles To Arm Arleigh Burke Destroyer Fleet
The War Zone – New point defenses, which come amid growing missile and drone threats, are just one Navy modernization effort for the Arleigh Burke class.
NOSI - Naval Open Source Intelligence™ 
You must be logged in to post a comment.