– National Interest – No one covets sentry duty. British tars found naval raiders and privateers of old an unworthy but also stubborn foe. U.S. mariners may be repeating their mistake. If so, the first year of the next war could be 1942 all over again. That’s a trauma no one should want to relive.
U.S. Navy’s Costliest Carrier Was Delivered Without Elevators to Lift Bombs
– Bloomberg – The $13 billion Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier, the U.S. Navy’s costliest warship, was delivered last year without elevators needed to lift bombs from below deck magazines for loading on fighter jets.
Persistent Eye in the Sky: How Commercial Satellites Can Help the Navy Achieve Superior Maritime Awareness
– War on the Rocks – The revolution in small commercial satellites, combined with the proliferation of artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities, turns satellite imagery from mere information into intelligence. The commercialization of these capabilities gives other nations — both small and peer competitors — the ability to compete with the United States for a space-based ISR advantage. The U.S. Navy should take advantage of and integrate advances in commercial ISR technology to enhance its strike capabilities and ensure that it continues to control the seas.
How the War in Yemen Became a Bloody Stalemate — and the Worst Humanitarian Crisis in the World
– New York Times Magazine – Saudi Arabia thought a bombing campaign would quickly crush its enemies in Yemen. But three years later, the Houthis refuse to give up, even as 14 million people face starvation.
Rumors of Covert Russian Ops Swirl After Finland’s Police Raid Bond-Esque Private Island
– War Zone – Finnish authorities said it was all about money laundering, but the island’s strategic location, multiple docks, helipad, and more suggest otherwise.
The Bad Day Scenario and Shaping the Navy for Global Responsiveness, Part 1
– CIMSEC – This series will consider the Bad Day Scenario, how the Navy could respond to such a challenge today, and what steps it could take to be better postured to respond in the future.
Australia to help Papua New Guinea build a navy base to fend off China
– Reuters – Australia is to help Papua New Guinea develop a navy base and train police, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said on Thursday, the latest Australian action to protect its interests in the Pacific in the face of a more assertive China.
Navy Crafting Master Plan for New Era of Mine Warfare
– USNI News – The Navy’s mine warfare community is putting together a comprehensive plan to lay out the investments required for a successful transition from legacy mine countermeasures systems to more advanced capabilities.
Marines See Future for Special Purpose MAGTFs Even As Ship Count Rises
– USNI News – The Marine Corps may have expanded its use of ground-based Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Forces (SP-MAGTFs) in response to a shortage of amphibious ships to carry Marines around the globe, but Marine Corps leadership says the service is committed to these units even as the number of available amphibious ships is rising.
What Do You Call It? The Politics and Practicalities of Warship Classification
– CIMSEC – Four common types of major surface combatants exist today: cruisers, destroyers, frigates, and corvettes. Each title has historical roots and a variety of practical and political implications. This essay explores how these classifications came to represent modern ship types, how nations abuse them to suit their needs, and how they facilitate or hamper exploration of alternative fleet designs.
War Studies Primer
– Visit the War Studies Primer for an introductory course on the study of war.
Look at slides 2 and 3 in the War Studies Primer for its Table of Contents, and then choose a lecture to read and enjoy.
Ways to Follow NOSI
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Russia’s Dry Dock Accident Could Have Far Larger Repercussions Than A Damaged Carrier
– War Zone – Russia’s biggest dry dock has completely sunk and it’s debatable if it has anything that could fully replace it anytime in the foreseeable future.
Britain’s Defence and the Arctic: A Timely Reminder
– RUSI – The House of Commons Defence Committee has released a report looking at defence developments in the High North. It should serve as a timely reminder of defence priorities, both among decision-makers in London and the general public.
In Budget Squeeze, Coast Guard Set to Extend Life of Dolphin Helicopter Fleet
– USNI News – The U.S. Coast Guard hopes to keep its aging fleet of short-range search and rescue helicopters flying for another dozen years while evaluating the potential of vertical lift studies from the Pentagon to fulfill future missions.
With Funding In Peril, Coast Guard Pushes Icebreaker As Polar Security Cutter
– Breaking Defense – With House and Senate appropriators still at odds over funding a new icebreaker in 2019, the Coast Guard is hoping a new name — ‘Polar Security Cutter’ — and a clearer emphasis on national security missions will help convince the House to fund the ship.
With Russia in its crosshairs, Canada moves to buy a sub hunter
– Defense News – The Royal Canadian Navy is moving toward Britain’s Type 26 frigate design, a multimission ship designed to cut through the water quietly, hunt submarines, and defend against hostile missiles and aircraft.
Meeting the Navy’s Obligations For Humanitarian Assistance
– USNI Blog – Humanitarian missions and defense support to civil authorities are two missions that are not going away. Although off-the-shelf solutions exist, it is time for the sea services to be bold and develop a vessel specifically to meet this need.
A Small State’s Special Operators, Up Close
– War on the Rocks – A look at the Norwegian Naval Special Operations Commando (Marinejegerkommandoen, or MJK).
Showdown in the Sea of Azov? Why Tensions Are Growing Between Ukraine and Russia
– National Interest – This Russia conflict scenario would make operations in Syria look like a round of croquet.
Moveover, 355-ship Navy: New report calls for an even larger fleet
– Defense News – The U.S. is woefully short of ships and even the Navy’s target goal of 355 ships is well short of what the country needs to prepare for two simultaneous major conflicts and maintain its rotational presence requirements with excess capacity for surge operations and combat casualties. That is the major finding of a new study from the conservative think tank The Heritage Foundation, an organization prominent in the Trump era because of its knack for influencing administration policy.
Swedish military tight-lipped over ‘submarine’ spotted near capital
– Guardian – Swedish MPs were not informed of alleged sighting of submarine by teenagers near Stockholm in June.
U.S. Navy Forces in Europe Sufficient to Handle Threats — But Only With Strong Collaboration With Allies
– USNI News – The head of naval forces in Europe is satisfied with the increased presence he’s seen in his theater this year, but he stressed that the U.S. will also have to rely on its allies and partners to counter a growing threat.
Iceland Embracing Its Strategic Location By Supporting NATO Air Defense
– USNI News – Iceland may not have a navy, but the strategically located small nation is punching above its weight in terms of sea control and maritime safety in the increasingly important North Atlantic region, the head of U.S. naval forces in Europe said.
U.S. Amphibs Return to Iceland After Rough Seas Cause Damage, Few Minor Injuries
– USNI News – Two of the three ships in the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group had to return to port in Reykjavik, Iceland, after heavy seas en route to Norway injured a few sailors and caused damage to one ship’s well deck.
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