US Navy – More information on the potential of a subtype of unmanned undersea vehicles – the Sea Glider.

• Space.com: Sea Gliders Show Underwater and Off-World Potential
  

US Navy – The US Navy is phasing out its CH-46 Sea Knight helicopters that are used for vertical replenishment.

• San Diego Union Tribune: Sea Knight’s Navy pilot just in time to be its last

US Navy – The US Navy is thinking of not retiring the USS Constellation next year, when the USS Ronald Reagan enters service.

• Virginian Pilot: Navy eyes extending lifespan of old carrier
  

US Navy – The US Navy is not interested in converting cruise ships under construction to command ships.

• Reuters: U.S. Navy Passes on Northrop Cruise Ships
  

French Navy – Two French warships are making a port call at Mumbai, before exercising with the Indian Navy.

• Rediff: French warships drop anchor in India

Indian Navy – India is about to commission a new guided missile patrol craft.

• Times of India: Missile vessel INS Prabal to join Navy

Canadian Navy – Canadian ships continue to rotate through their Gulf task force.

• Canadian Press: Two Canadian warships on way home
  

US Navy – 75% of all munitions dropped by US Navy and Marine Corps aircraft in Afghanistan hit their targets.

• CNN: Pentagon: U.S. bombing accuracy improved in Afghan war

US Navy – What life is like for submariners.

• Seattle Times: A submariner’s life

US Navy – A review of upcoming Trident-class submarine conversions.

• Seattle Times: A new mission: Older submarines to be transformed
• Seattle Times: The four oldest Trident subs will be converted for conventional warfare.
  

Taiwanese Navy – The US has bids from 7 companies to produce submarines for Taiwan.

• Reuters: U.S. plans meetings with Taiwan on submarine design

Malaysian Navy – Malaysia agrees to purchase French Scorpene-class submarines.

• Reuters: Malaysia “agrees to buy French submarines”

US Navy – A proposal for a new conventional triad for the 21st century: long-range land-based aviation, flexible special forces that require a minimal logistic infrastructure, and the sea services

• Sea Power: The 21st-Century Triad: Unconventional Thinking About the New Realities of Conventional Warfare

US Navy – US and Yemen have agreed to allow warships to again refuel at the port of Aden, 17 months after the attack on the USS Cole.

• Associated Press: Yemen, U.S. Agree on Ship Refueling

US Navy – The US will move back to one carrier in the Arabian Sea.

• Associated Press: U.S. Carrier To Leave Arabian Sea

Royal Marines– 40 Commando is already engaged in combat inside Afghanistan.

• The Guardian: Perilous fight against shadowy enemy
  

• The Guardian: Marines seize al-Qaida caves as Afghan violence escalates
  

US Navy – More on the potential of unmanned submarines.

• The Australian: Navy drones on about unmanned subs

US Navy – Submarines are the ultimate intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance platform.

• Jane’s: Submarines to cast off their shackles, take on new roles

US Navy – The EP-3 that was forced down near China 1 year ago has been rebuilt and will reenter service by the end of the year.

• The Guardian: US Spy Plane Expected Back In Service

Nigerian Navy – The Nigerian Navy continues to capture pirates who are stealing oil from drilling platforms.

• The Guardian: Navy intercepts $688m worth of crude oil from bunkerers
• The Guardian: Navy arrests 475 pirates in three years

Royal Marines – The Royal Marines have permission to pursue enemy troops from Afghanistan into Pakistan.

• Sunday Times: Marines free to fight in Pakistan
  

Royal Australian Navy – Australia will increase its defense budget next year, in recognition of the high operational rate of their navy.

• : Defense to Have Priority in Next Budget

Background – Containerized Cargo – An excellent review of how the container is now a potential terrorist weapon.

• The Economist: When trade and security clash
  

Taiwanese Navy – An interview with the US Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Asian and Pacific Affairs who pledges diesel submarines and Kidd-class destroyers will be delivered to Taiwan.

• Taipei Times: US Committment to Taiwan remains firm.

Russian Navy – The Russians say they will be out of Cam Ranh Bay by July. Who will be allowed to use the port in the future is uncertain.

• Reuters: Russia to Complete Vietnam Base Pullout by July
  

Royal Navy – The Royal Navy’s CVF program continues to move forward, slowly.

• Sea Power: Thales Strengthens Its Team For Royal Navy CVF Bid

Background – Air-to-Air Combat – How Head Mounted Displays may revolutionize aerial combat.

• Los Angeles Times: Weapon That Will Turn Heads
  

Royal Navy – The early retirement of Sea Harriers will strip the Royal Navy of crucial air defense capabilities.

• Daily Telegraph: Sea Harrier cuts leave the fleet exposed

Royal Navy – Is the UK government repeating the same mistakes it made 20 years ago before the Falklands war?

• Daily Telegraph: Cuts ‘mean we can’t fight another Falklands’

Background – – Sir John Keegan on whether the UK could send an expeditionary task force to sea today, if required.

• Daily Telegraph: From military superiority to ‘just about’ capable

Background – Simulation / Wargaming – The state-of-the art in computerized simulation and virtual reality for the military.

• IEEE Spectrum: Games Soldiers Play
  

French Navy – A French patrol boat based in New Caledonia is making a port visit in New Zealand.

• New Zealand Herald: French patrol boat on four-day visit
  

Finnish Navy – The navies of Finland and Sweden are pooling their maritime surveillance assets.

• Helsingin Sanomat: Finland and Sweden joining forces in marine surveillance

US Marines – The US Marines continue their development of non-lethal weapons.

• Associated Press: Weapons of the future stink

US Marines – The latest prototype lethal weapon – a new assault rifle for US forces.

• ABC: A Smarter Rifle
  

Background – Strategy – Ralph Peter’s insightful strategy for fighting the war on terrorism.

• Fast Company: Battle Plan

Royal Australian Navy – The amphibious transport and command ship HMAS Kanimbla returns home from the Arabian Sea.

• Australian Associated Press: Kanimbla crew welcomed home
  

Canadian Navy – The supply ship HMCS Protecteur is about to depart for the Arabian Sea.

• Times Colonist: Protecteur readies for voyage to war zone
  

Royal Marines – The Royal Marines confront steep challenges in Afghanistan.

• BBC: UK marines ‘face tough challenge’
• Financial Times: Troops face both heavy schedule and a wily foe
  

US Navy – Testing of the EA-6B Prowler ICAP III version has begun.

• Sea Power: ICAP III Prowler Begins EW Testing
  at Patuxent River

South Korean Navy – The US will sell the South Korean Navy Aegis weapons systems for installation on three South Korean destroyers.

• CNN: U.S. offers Aegis weapons system to S. Korea

Iraqi Navy – Iraq has been accused of a plot to blow up US warships in the Persian Gulf.

• Christian Science Monitor: Ex-smuggler describes Iraqi plot to blow up US warship

History – Falklands – A fascinating analysis of the diplomatic, intelligence, and military ineptitude that led the UK and Argentina towards an avoidable conflict 20 years ago.

• The Times: A tragedy of errors

Background – Falklands – Meanwhile, life today in the Falklands is excellent for the locals.

• Economist: A breezy, squid-rich paradise

US Navy – The US Navy is exercising on Vieques again.

• BBC: US Navy begins Vieques exercises

US Navy – The US Navy says it does not want to return to Yemen for refueling; using the French naval base in Djibouti may be a better idea.

• CNN: U.S. officials: No ships going to Yemen

Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force – For the first time since WWII the JMSDF and Chinese Navy will exchange port visits.

• Associated Press: Japanese Warships to Visit China

Background – Airpower – First part of a two-part article on how airpower is finally fulfilling its prophecy and becoming more capable of winning wars.

• Atlantic Monthly: The Air-Power Revolution

Royal Marines – The Royal Marines in Afghanistan will be used for night time raids against Taliban mountain bases.

• Sunday Times: Marines ready for night raids on Al-Qaeda

US Navy – The Ready Reserve’ s cargo ships are standing by to assist. While not needed at this time for Afghanistan, they could be used if the war is widened to include Iraq.

• Virginian Pilot: Ready Reserve cargo ships await their call to action

Indian Navy – More on the lease the Indian Navy has signed with Russia for a nuclear powered attack submarine.

• Sea Power: Long-Delayed Green Light For Indian Navy SSN

US Marines – The role played by US Marine aviators in Operation Anaconda.

• San Diego Union Tribune: Confidence replaced Marines’ anxiety

US Navy – The USS Harry Truman is overhauled in near-record time.

• Virginian Pilot: Truman repairs done early, under budget
  

Background – Iraq – An excellent essay that details how US foreign policy thinking is evolving in the Bush administration, and how this evolution in thinking will be used to depose Saddam Hussein.

• New Yorker: The Next World Order

Chinese Navy – China continues to move into strategic choke points around the world through its acquisition of port facilities, using its pseudo-commercial entities as cover.

• Washington Times: Inside the Ring

US Navy – What life was like for the Theodore Roosevelt’s crew who had to keep its air group functioning for the last 6 months.

• Virginian Pilot: Wartime deployment tested mettle, skill of TR air crew

Royal Navy – Although they are supposed to be the replacement for Sea Harriers, no contract has been let yet to upgrade the RAF Harriers GR.7 to GR.9 status.

• Jane’s: No contract yet for RAF Harrier GR.9

US Navy – A look at what the Cooperative Engagement Capability can do for a battlegroup commander.

• Sea Power: A True Single Integrated Air Picture: The Navy’s Cooperative Engagement Capability Program

US Navy – Why the Navy Area Wide missile defense program was canceled.

• Washington Post: Rise and Fall of a Navy Missile

US Coast Guard – The Coast Guard begins to realize the immense resources needed to inspect all ships coming into the US.

• New York Times: Coast Guard Encounters Big Hurdles in New Effort to Screen Arriving Ships

US Marines – An essay that tries to define what Ship To Objective Maneuver means to the US Marines.

• Marine Corps Gazette: Burnishing the Jewel in the Crown

Romanian Navy – The Romanian Navy is attempting to buy Type 22-class frigates from the Royal Navy.

• Jane’s: Romania seeks to buy ex-RN Type 22s

US Navy – Aboard the USS Vella Gulf, a Ticonderoga-class cruiser.

• Virginian Pilot: Vella Gulf rushes toward home

US Navy – How the reserves are helping in the war on terror.

• Sea Power: The Naval Reserve Today

Background – Strategy and Tactics – James Fallows asks why did the USAF change their tactics in Afghanistan – was it to keep the Navy out of the war?

• Atlantic Monthly: Behavior Modification

Royal Navy – HMS Illustrious has returned home from the Arabian Sea. She has been replaced on station by HMS Ocean

• BBC: HMS Illustrious returns from Afghanistan
  

US Navy – USS Theodore Roosevelt has returned home, members of her air wing comment on their missions.

• Virginian Pilot: Triumphant air wing flies home
  

• Virginian Pilot: Hearts open for fliers who were war’s eyes and ears

US Navy – A US Navy ship has again been denied a port call in Hong Kong by China.

• Associated Press: U.S. Warship Barred From Hong Kong

Background – Unmanned Submersible Vehicles – A sleek diving robot has been developed to perform ocean research, it can stay at sea for 5 years.

• New York Times: An Engine for a New Age of Ocean Research

Royal Marines – How the lessons learned by 45 Commando in the Falklands may serve them well in Afghanistan.

• Daily Telegraph: ‘We don’t need food, just ammunition – and tons of it’

Russian Navy – Plans are underway to raise the Kursk’s bow section.

• BBC: Russian navy to raise Kursk bow

US Navy – A review of what naval aviation has accomplished in Afghanistan to date.

• US Naval Institute Proceedings: ‘We Were Great’: Navy Air in Afghanistan
  

Background – Iraq – James F. Dunnigan with a scenario for the overthrow of Saddam Hussein using a small force that moves with great speed.

• Strategy Page: Nothing Succeeds Like Success in Iraq
  

Royal Marines – More on the Royal Marines of 45 Commando as they prepare for battle. Their deployment is called Operation Jacana, their mission is to hunt for Mullah Omar.

• Daily Telegraph: The men who will take the mountains
• Sunday Times: Britainís elite commandos lack the right altitude to take on Al-Qaeda
• Sunday Times: Action stations???but at what cost?
  

• Daily Telegraph: Blair told: expect 20 Marines to be killed

US Navy – A history of the Global Positioning System (GPS), including the key role played by the US Navy with its Transit navigation satellites.

• Economist: Accuracy is addictive

Background – Nuclear Weapons – Sir John Keegan on why the US and UK are modifying their strategies for the use of nuclear weapons against rogue states.

• Daily Telegraph: A nuclear threat – Labour’s biggest surprise so far

Background – Iraq – An air campaign targeted against the ultimate mobile target – Saddam – will have great difficulty in succeeding.

• Daily Telegraph: Simpson on Sunday: Saddam, the elusive dictator, won’t be beaten by bombs

Chinese Navy – Chinese Navy ships will not be visiting the US this year, as a protest over the visit of the Taiwanese defense minister to the US.

• CNN: China’s navy rules out U.S. visit

Canadian Navy – Canada is considering the purchase of a reconnaisance satellite to track ship and aircraft movement in the Arctic to help it enforce its sovereignty.

• Ottawa Citizen: Canada plans $600M ‘Polar Star’ spy satellite

US Navy – Is the DDX class of ships a production project or a R&D project?

• Copley News Service: Navy needs ships but Pentagon calls DDX ‘research’

US Navy – Is the US Navy already considering cutting its purchase of F/A-18 E/Fs and JSFs?

• Washington Post: Navy, Marine Study Seeks Cuts in Fighter Purchases

US Navy – More on the upcoming SEAL organizational and training changes.

• Virginian Pilot: Navy alters SEAL structure and training
• Jane’s: New US SPECWAR structure revealed

US Navy – A study suggests that forward basing of more ships would give the US Navy much more bang for its bucks.

• Virginian Pilot: More ships overseas are suggested in new study
  

US Navy – Has the US figured out a way to get conventionally power submarines to Taiwan? A US bank has purchased a controlling share in Germany’s Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft shipyard, which is the world’s premier exporter of conventional submarines.

• Jane’s: US bank takeover of HDW raises technology issues

Background – Transformation – Ralph Peters on how the post-colonial era has barely begun, and diplomats around the world are in denial about it.

• Crimes of War Project: What Will the Next War Look Like and What Will the International Community Do About It?

US Navy – The US Navy is reconsidering using Yemen as a refueling port.

• Reuters: US team in Yemen to mull reviving fleet refuel deal
  

Russian Navy – There may have been survivors on the Kursk for days.

• Associated Press: 23 May Have Been Alive in Sub for Days

Royal Australian Navy – The readiness of the Australian armed forces is being undermined by shrinking defense budgets.

• The Australian: Our war chest is out of ammo
  

US Navy – The Naval Reserve Force is playing a crucial role in the war against terrorism; but it is tremendously underfunded.

• Sea Power: Yesterday’s Weekend Warriors
  Become Total-Force NRF

Iranian Navy – North Korea is supply gunboats to Iran.

• Washington Times: N. Korea gunboat shipment helps Iran expand military

Royal Marines – 45 Commando is ready to go.

• Daily Telegraph: ‘Everyone is very excited and feels quite privileged’

Merchant Marine – Lloyds of London declares it will no longer refer to ships as “she.”

• Daily Telegraph: ‘She’ is no longer a ship

Background – Transformation – Chuck Spinney on why transformation is tough – it has to overcome deeply entrenched interests.

• PBS Frontline: The Future of War

Royal Marines – Sir John Keegan on how the British military is being stretched too thinly around the world.

• Daily Telegraph: Afghanistan stretches the red and green lines too thin

Royal Navy – More on the retirement of the dock landing ship HMS Fearless.

• BBC: HMS Fearless arrives home
  

Royal Australian Navy – Australia is considering adopting the Standard SM-2 surface to air missile for use aboard its Perry-class frigates.

• Jane’s: RAN considers SM-2 for Adelaide-class frigates

Background – Information Warfare – A nice example of what the next generation of the digital battlefield will look like.

• Los Angeles Times: Ushering In the Warfare Information Age

Royal Marines – 45 Commando, who have mountain warfare expertise, will deploy to Afghanistan to join in the ground battle against the Taliban.

• BBC: Commandos head to Afghanistan
• Daily Telegraph: Britain sends 1,700 troops to war in Afghanistan
• The Times: Marines to hunt Mullah Omar

US Navy – The SEALs are streamlining their organization, and changing how they will train and deploy.

• San Diego Union Tribune: New Navy SEAL unit one of big changes in elite force

US Navy – New Zealand will continue to refuse to allow US Navy nuclear powered ships to dock in its ports.

• Associated Press: New Zealand to Keep Nuclear Ship Ban

Background – Transformation – Frederick Kagan on why he thinks America today is similar to Britain in the 1930’s in terms of defense challenges faced, and why he believes transformation is important to America’s future defense needs.

• PBS Frontline: The Future of War

French Navy – The French Navy has seized a ship carrying illegal immigrants in the Mediterranean.

• BBC: French navy ‘halts immigrants’

Germany Navy – The Germany Navy is being criticized for not having adequate equipment to perform its missions.

• Reuters: German Armed Forces Under Fire for Shortcomings

US Navy – The pilot of the EP-3 downed over China gives his version of the story.

• PBS Frontline: Dangerous Straits

Background – Information Warfare – The use of information warfare in Afghanistan.

• Signals: Technology Empowers Information Operations in Afghanistan