Navy Lacks ‘Clear Theory of Victory’ Needed to Build New Fleet, Experts Tell House Panel

An MH-60S Sea Hawk assigned to the Eightballers of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 8 flies next to the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) and the amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA-6) while they transit the Pacific Ocean, Feb. 15, 2020. US Navy photo.

The Navy and the Department of Defense haven’t finished their homework needed to inform how the Navy builds its future fleet, a panel of naval experts told a House panel on Thursday.

The debate in Congress and in the...

https://news.usni.org/2020/06/04/navy-lacks-clear-theory-of-victory-needed-to-build-new-fleet-experts-tell-house-panel

SECDEF Esper Holds Back 30-Year Shipbuilding Outlook, New 355-Ship Plan Ahead of HASC Testimony

Secretary of Defense Mark Esper delivers a speech to students and faculty of the U.S. Naval War College on Aug. 27, 2019. US Navy Photo

Release of the Navy’s long-range shipbuilding plan and service’s plan to grow to at least 355 ships is on indefinite hold on orders from Secretary of Defense Mark Esper, USNI News has learned.

Four sources familiar with the move told USNI News that following a Friday meeting between Navy officials and Esper, the Defense Secretary ordered to hold the release to...

https://news.usni.org/2020/02/25/secdef-esper-holds-back-30-year-shipbuilding-outlook-new-355-ship-plan-ahead-of-hasc-testimony

SECNAV Modly: Path to 355 Ships Will Rely on New Classes of Warships

The Honorable Thomas Modly, acting Secretary of the Navy, talks with Capt. John J. Cummings, USS Gerald R. Ford'(CVN 78) commanding officer, in the ship’s pilothouse. Modly embarked Ford after the ship successfully completed Aircraft Compatibility Testing to discuss Ford’s progress and to see the ship operate at sea. US Navy photo.

The Navy’s plans to get to 355 manned ships by 2030 will rely on new classes of ships that don’t exist yet – including new kinds of amphibious and supply ships as...

https://news.usni.org/2020/02/03/secnav-modly-path-to-355-ships-will-rely-on-new-classes-of-warships

Navy, Marines Rethinking How to Build Future Fleet with Unmanned, Expeditionary Ships

USS America (LHA-6) transits the Pacific Ocean near Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) in 2018. US Navy

THE PENTAGON – Though the Navy had already advertised it was updating its desired fleet size and composition, after a 2016 effort pegged the future fleet at 355 ships, the service is now taking an even bigger step: working on an Integrated Naval Force Structure Assessment that also includes emerging unmanned and expeditionary platforms to support new concepts of warfare,...

https://news.usni.org/2019/09/26/navy-marines-rethinking-how-to-build-future-fleet-with-unmanned-expeditionary-ships

Navy Claims a Strong Technical Foundation Ahead of Testing New Classes of Unmanned Ships

The Sea Hunter, a Medium Displacement Unmanned Surface Vehicle (MDUSV). US Navy Photo

WASHINGTON NAVY YARD – The Navy has a more straightforward path to developing and fielding unmanned surface vessels than many critics realize, according to the admiral in charge of building them.

Despite the surprise and skepticism when the service announced this spring it would buy more than a dozen medium and large USVs in the next few years, Rear Adm. Casey Moton says lessons learned from commercial industry,...

https://news.usni.org/2019/09/09/navy-claims-a-strong-technical-foundation-ahead-of-testing-new-classes-of-unmanned-ships

New Commandant Berger Sheds 38-Amphib Requirement in Quest to Modernize USMC for High-End Fight

U.S. Marine Corps AAV-P7/A1 assault amphibious vehicles assigned to Combat Assault Company, 3rd Marine Regiment, unload service members during an amphibious landing demonstration as part of Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise at Pyramid Rock Beach on Marine Corps Base Hawaii July 29, 2018. US Marine Corps photo.

New Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. David Berger outlined his largely naval priorities for the Marine Corps, and he’s willing to shed some key tenets of the Marines’ amphibious...

https://news.usni.org/2019/07/18/new-commandant-berger-sheds-38-amphib-requirement-in-quest-to-modernize-usmc-for-high-end-fight

House Committee Votes to Prohibit Low-Yield Nuclear Weapons on Submarines

The Ohio-class guided-missile submarine USS Michigan (SSGN-727) arrives in Busan for a regularly scheduled port visit while conducting routine patrols throughout the Western Pacific. US Navy Photo

The House Armed Services Committee added several provisions to its annual defense authorization bill, but the among most contentious was if the Pentagon should develop a low-yield nuclear weapon to deploy on nuclear ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs).

Support for and arguments against the strategic...

https://news.usni.org/2019/06/13/house-committee-votes-to-prohibit-low-yield-nuclear-weapons-on-submarines