– The Diplomat – What does the U.S. Navy’s first freedom of navigation operation near a Chinese man-made island really mean?
U.S. Navy’s challenge in South China Sea? Sheer number of Chinese ships
– Reuters – While the U.S. Navy is expected to keep its technological edge in Asia for decades, China’s potential trump card is sheer weight of numbers, with dozens of naval and coastguard vessels routinely deployed in the South China Sea.
In defeat for Beijing, Hague court to hear South China Sea dispute
– Reuters – In a legal setback for Beijing, an arbitration court in the Netherlands ruled on Thursday that it has jurisdiction to hear some territorial claims the Philippines has filed against China over disputed areas in the South China Sea.
China Naval Modernization: Implications for U.S. Navy Capabilities—Background and Issues for Congress
– Congressional Research Service – The latest analysis from Ronald O’Rourke.
Japan Shows Off Naval Power
– Maritime Executive – An armada of carriers, cruiser, destroyers and submarines gathered off Japan’s coast on Sunday in a display of naval power that showcased Tokyo’s latest warships and signalled wider engagement by the U.S. Navy in the western Pacific.
Russian Ships Near Data Cables Are Too Close for U.S. Comfort
– New York Times – Russian submarines and spy ships are aggressively operating near the vital undersea cables that carry almost all global Internet communications, raising concerns among some American military and intelligence officials that the Russians might be planning to attack those lines in times of tension or conflict.
Could Russian submarines cut off the internet?
– BBC – Russia could be developing plans to sever key internet communications during future wars.
US Navy destroyer passes disputed China islands
– BBC – A US Navy ship has sailed close to artificial islands built by China in the disputed waters of the South China Sea, US defence officials have said. Guided-missile destroyer USS Lassen breached the 12-nautical mile zone China claims around Subi and Mischief reefs in the Spratly archipelago.
Chinese Warships to Make Naval Station Mayport Port Visit Amidst South China Sea Tension
– USNI News – A trio of Chinese warships in the middle of a world tour are in route to Naval Station Mayport, Fla. for a scheduled goodwill port visit next month.
Undersea Warfare Directorate Looking To Increase Dominance Through Key Investments
– USNI News – The new director of undersea warfare (OPNAV N97) is looking to extend the Navy’s asymmetrical advantage by investing in longer-range targeting, electromagnetic warfare tools and other capabilities to help submarine forces operate effectively into the future.
U.S. Navy Considering Adding Anti-Ship Missiles Back to Submarine Force
– USNI News – The Navy is investigating adding an anti-ship missile to its submarine force — bringing it inline with the majority of the world naval submarines.
Saudi Arabia Set to Buy Four Lockheed Martin Freedom-Class Variants in $11.25B Deal
– USNI News – Four Lockheed Martin Freedom-class ship variants are set to form the backbone of the Royal Saudi Navy’s Eastern Fleet.
U.S. navy delegation visits Chinese carrier amid maritime tensions
– Reuters – Senior U.S. naval officers visited China’s lone aircraft carrier this week, China’s military said, as the two powers try to maintain military ties despite mounting tensions over Beijing’s claims in disputed waters in the South China Sea.
U.S. Navy, allies intercept targets in European missile test
– Reuters – The U.S. military and eight allied countries on Tuesday worked together to simultaneously intercept dummy ballistic and cruise missiles off the coast of Scotland, the U.S. Navy said, calling the test an important first demonstration of that capability in Europe.
Who rules the waves?
– The Economist – China no longer accepts that America should be Asia-Pacific’s dominant naval power
Navy’s Future Frigate Will Be Optimized For Lethality, Survivability; Will Not Retain LCS’s Speed
– USNI News – Whereas a high sprint speed was a driving factor in designing the Littoral Combat Ship, the follow-on frigate will instead be optimized for lethality and survivability.
USN premieres LCS rotary wing concept at Malabar trilateral naval exercise
– Jane’s – In a sign that the annual ‘Malabar’ naval exercise is growing in scope and complexity, the US Navy (USN) is introducing the concept of a composite rotary wing detachment element for the first time. The detachment, which comprises one Sikorsky MH-60R Seahawk helicopter and one Northrop Grumman MQ-8B Fire Scout unmanned aerial vehicle, is being operated out of the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) USS Fort Worth (LCS 3).
Industry Confirms Australia’s Hobart Class Destroyers $870 Million Over Budget, Lead Ship 30 Months Late
– USNI News – The consortium building three air warfare destroyers (AWDs) for the Royal Australian Navy has provided an update on the construction of the ships, as well as an overview on the lessons learned from the delays and cost overruns that have plagued the program.
Military Facilities on South China Sea Artificial Islands are ‘For Defense Purposes Only’
– USNI News – Amidst U.S. and Australian concerns of Chinese military expansion in the South China Sea, officials with China’s foreign ministry are claiming military facilities on a series of artificial islands are “for defense purposes only” in reaction to “high-profile display[s] of military strength and frequent and large-scale military drills by certain countries and their allies in the South China Sea.”
US navy returns to celestial navigation amid fears of computer hack
– Daily Telegraph – US Navy recruits to learn how to navigate using the stars as America grows increasingly worried about possible hacking of computer navigation systems
Does the U.S. Navy Need a 21st Century F-14 Tomcat?
– National Interest – While the requirement for a carrier-based long-range strike capability is a frequent subject of discussion around Washington, the U.S. Navy’s need for improved air superiority capabilities is often neglected.
Japan Outlines Bid for Australia’s SEA1000 Future Submarine Program
– USNI News – Japan’s submarine bid team has outlined the details of its proposal for Australia’s SEA1000 Future Submarine program to replace the Royal Australian Navy’s existing Collins-class boats.
Carriers Crucial In War With China – But Air Wing Is All Wrong
– Breaking Defense – At $4.7 billion over budget, Ford-class aircraft carriers have taken a beating in Congress. This morning, though, the House Seapower subcommittee chairman will roll out a report from the conservative Hudson Institute that’s a ringing defense of the carrier — but which also contains a stinging indictment of the aircraft that fly from it. The report calls for upgrading current multi-mission planes for longer range and building multiple new types of more specialized aircraft, potentially including two different models of UCLASS drone.
As USS Theodore Roosevelt exits, US has no carriers in Persian Gulf
– Stars and Stripes – The USS Theodore Roosevelt exited the Persian Gulf on Friday, a Navy spokesman said, marking the first time since 2007 the U.S. hasn’t had an aircraft carrier deployed there.
China’s Shoddy, Noisy Nuclear Submarines
– War is Boring – Over the past two decades, the People’s Republic of China has made great advances in its military capabilities. However, it still lags woefully behind in developing nuclear-powered submarines. The problem for the Chinese is that they lack the necessary quieting and propulsion technologies to build anything remotely comparable to an American or Russian nuclear submarine.
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