A new report from the Center for New American Security calls for push for a low-cost drones that would provide an autonomous, lethal shield against an amphibious invasion of Taiwan by the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy.
“Given their extremely low cost, Taiwan should build large numbers of these simple systems and...
The following is the June 25, 2024, Congressional Research Service In Focus report, Use of Force in Cyberspace.
From the report
Introduction
There are presently no internationally accepted criteria for determining whether a nation state cyberattack is a use of force equivalent to an armed attack, which could trigger a military response. Likewise, no international, legally binding instruments have yet been drafted explicitly to regulate inter-state relations in cyberspace. Self-defense and...
https://news.usni.org/2024/06/26/report-to-congress-on-use-of-force-in-cyberspace
The following is the June 20, 2024, Government Accountability Office report, Artificial Intelligence: Generative AI Technologies and Their Commercial Applications.
Why this matters
Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) has exploded to over 100 million users globally due to recently enhanced capabilities and user interest. This growth has created both excitement and debate about the technology’s potential to revolutionize entire industries, such as health care, education, and software...
https://news.usni.org/2024/06/21/gao-report-on-generative-ai-and-commercial-applications
The following is the June 12, 2024, Congressional Research Service report, Navy Virginia-Class Submarine Program and AUKUS Submarine (Pillar 1) Project: Background and Issues for Congress/
From the report
Virginia-class submarine program. The Navy has been procuring Virginia (SSN-774) class nuclear-powered attack submarines (SSNs) since FY1998, and a total of 40 have been procured through FY2024. From FY2011 through FY2024, they have been procured at a rate of two per year. When procured at that...
https://news.usni.org/2024/06/19/report-to-congress-on-virginia-class-submarine-program-aukus
This post has been updated with additional information from Naval Sea Systems Command.
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – The midlife overhaul and refueling for aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74) will now take about five and a half years to complete – an extension of almost 14 months, according to Navy Fiscal Year 2025 budget documents.
Stennis began the...
In May, the American Trucking Associations’ board of directors unanimously voted to extend the contract of current ATA President and CEO Chris Spear through 2029. The ATA, in a news release, cited Spear’s efficacy in advancing the legislative agenda of its membership as the reason behind his tenure extension.
But looking at public statements from both the ATA and Spear himself, it is less than clear that the ATA is an effective advocate for its membership.
Take, for example, an April 2023 press...
https://www.freightwaves.com/news/atas-chris-spear-earns-1-9m-but-where-are-his-results
Guided-missile destroyer John Basilone (DDG-122) completed its Navy acceptance trails ahead of delivery to the service, shipbuilder General Dynamics Bath Iron Works.
On May 23, Arleigh Burke-class Flight IIA destroyer completed its final set of acceptance trials in the Atlantic with the Navy Board of Inspection and Survey embarked and returned to the Maine shipyard.
“During acceptance trials, a Bath...
https://news.usni.org/2024/05/27/destroyer-john-basilone-completes-acceptance-trials
The following is the May 21, 2024, Congressional Research Service report, AUKUS Pillar 2 (Advanced Capabilities): Background and Issues for Congress.
From the report
AUKUS Pillar 2 refers to a suite of cooperative activities conducted by the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia to develop and field “advanced capabilities” under the AUKUS security partnership. To date, Pillar 2 activities have been coordinated among the three governments by a number of means, including topic-specific...
https://news.usni.org/2024/05/22/report-to-congress-on-aukus-pillar-2
Lockheed Martin performed a successful test of its PAC-3 missile interceptor with a virtual Aegis system, the company announced this week.
The PAC-3 system was launched from an Mk 70 containerized launching system and successfully intercepted a cruise missile, according to a company news release. The test took place at the Army’s White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico.
“These systems could deliver...
https://news.usni.org/2024/05/21/lockheed-test-fires-army-patriot-missile-using-aegis-combat-system
The Pentagon announced several flag officer nominations and promotions on Friday, including the new commander of U.S. 6th Fleet and the next military deputy assistant to the Navy’s acquisition chief.
Rear Adm. Jeffrey Anderson is up for a third star and to lead the Europe-based U.S. 6th Fleet, which, if confirmed, he would take over from Vice Adm....
https://news.usni.org/2024/05/17/pentagon-announces-new-u-s-6th-fleet-co-jag