NAO report confirms UK F-35 fleet under-staffed and under-armed

Navy Lookout – The UK’s investment in the F-35 Lightning II fleet represents the most advanced combat air capability ever fielded by the Royal Navy or RAF. In a report published by the National Audit Office today, it is clear, this formidable aircraft risks being undermined by the chronic lack of people and under-delivery of the infrastructure, weapons, and support needed to realise its full potential.

U.S. Army Expanding Presence in the Philippines as China Threat Looms

USNI News – In the jungles, plains and mountains of Luzon, the U.S. Army is experimenting with 3D-printed drones, missile launchers and new operational maneuvers in a test of their ability to defend the Philippines’ largest island. The drills come amid Manila’s concerns of potential spillover from a cross-strait conflict between Beijing and Taipei reaching Northern Luzon, located just 155 miles south of Taiwan.

Project Revolver: The U.S. Navy’s Concept for Multi-Packed Torpedoes in the Indo-PacificRoyal Navy accepts new autonomous mine hunting system into service

Naval News – A program in development by the Office of Naval Research (ONR) is rapidly moving forward into the fleet to provide much deeper magazine depth for torpedoes on Virginia-class SSNs. The effort is testing and fielding multi-packed 6.75-inch Mark 58 Compact Rapid Attack Weapon (CRAW) torpedoes or 3-inch UAVs in a single 21-inch torpedo tube.

Japan’s ARDB Combat Landing Battalion: An interview with its Commander

Naval News – Since the 2010s, Japan has been compelled to respond to China’s maritime expansion and military buildup. A particularly critical issue has been how to defend Japan’s remote islands and key island chains in the East China Sea, commonly known as the Nansei Islands. To address this challenge, the Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade (ARDB), a specialized force for initial defense operations, was established in March 2018.