Congressional research service

CRS says Houthis pose a long term threat

After Israel responded massively to an attack on the Port of Eilat with an attack on the Houthi-held Yemeni Port of Hodeida on July 20, there was a lull in the Houthi attacks on merchant shipping.

But not for long, indicating that the Houthis pose a long term threat that won’t go away any time soon, with a recent Congressional Research Service (CRS) “In Focus” briefing saying that “Yemen’s underlying conflict remains unresolved and the long-term threats the Houthis could pose present a vexing...

https://www.marinelog.com/legal/safety-and-security/crs-says-houthis-pose-a-long-term-threat/

Report to Congress on Navy Force Structure and Shipbuilding Plans

The following is the July 25, 2024, Congressional Research Service report, Navy Force Structure and Shipbuilding Plans: Background and Issues for Congress.

From the report

The current and future size and composition of the Navy, the annual rate of Navy ship procurement, the prospective affordability of the Navy’s shipbuilding plans, the capacity of the U.S. shipbuilding industry to execute the Navy’s shipbuilding plans, and Navy proposals for retiring existing ships have been oversight matters...

https://news.usni.org/2024/07/30/report-to-congress-on-navy-force-structure-and-shipbuilding-plans

Report to Congress on Navy TAGOS-25 Ocean Surveillance Shipbuilding Program

The following is the July 23, 2024, Congressional Research Service In Focus report, Navy TAGOS-25 Ocean Surveillance Shipbuilding Program: Background and Issues for Congress.

From the report

Introduction

The Navy in FY2022 procured the first of a planned class of seven new TAGOS-25 class ocean surveillance ships. Under the Navy’s FY2025 budget submission, the Navy is proposing to defer procurement of the second TAGOS-25 class ship from FY2025 to FY2026. The Navy’s proposed FY2025 shipbuilding...

https://news.usni.org/2024/07/24/report-to-congress-on-navy-tagos-25-ocean-surveillance-shipbuilding-program-2

Summary of China’s Political System

The following is the July 1, 2024, Congressional Research Service In Focus report, China Primer: China’s Political System.

From the report

The People’s Republic of China (PRC or China) is the only Communist Party-led state either among the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council or among the members of the G-20 grouping of major economies. As Congress has intensified its focus on China in the context of U.S.-China strategic competition, Members have increasingly sought to...

https://news.usni.org/2024/07/02/summary-of-chinas-political-system

Report to Congress on AUKUS Pillar 2

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

Report to Congress on Polar Security Cutter Program

The following is the April 29, 2024, Congressional Research Service report, Coast Guard Polar Security Cutter (Polar Icebreaker) Program: Background and Issues for Congress.

From the report

Required number of polar icebreakers. A 2023 Coast Guard fleet mix analysis concluded that the service will require a total of eight to nine polar icebreakers, including four to five heavy polar icebreakers and four to five medium polar icebreakers, to perform its polar (i.e., Arctic and Antarctic) missions in...

https://news.usni.org/2024/05/02/report-to-congress-on-polar-security-cutter-program

Report to Congress on Columbia-class Ballistic Missile Sub

The following is the April 29, 2024, Congressional Research Service report, Navy Columbia (SSBN-826) Class Ballistic Missile Submarine Program: Background and Issues for Congress.

From the report

The Navy’s Columbia (SSBN-826) class ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) program is a program to design and build a class of 12 new SSBNs to replace the Navy’s current force of 14 aging Ohio-class SSBNs. Since 2013, the Navy has consistently identified the Columbia-class program as the Navy’s top priority...

https://news.usni.org/2024/05/01/report-to-congress-on-columbia-class-ballistic-missile-sub

Boeing delivers Navy’s first Orca XLUUV

The Navy’s plans for unmanned vessels include uncrewed undersea as well as uncrewed surface vessels and Boeing [NYSE: BA] has now delivered the first Orca Extra Large Uncrewed Undersea Vehicle (XLUUV) to the Navy following completion of acceptance testing month. The XLUUV, designated by the Navy as “Orca,” is a new class of autonomous submarine that can perform long duration critical missions to achieve undersea maritime dominance in changing environments and contested waters.

“This is the...

https://www.marinelog.com/news/boeing-delivers-navys-first-orca-xluuv/

Bollinger Cuts First Steel on Polar Security Cutter

The first steel is cut for the future USCGC Polar Sentinel (PSC-1). Bollinger Photo

A Mississippi shipyard has started fabricating on what will be the first components for a new fleet of heavy U.S. icebreakers, the company announced on Wednesday.

Bollinger Shipyards cut steel of the first of eight modules that will become part of the first Polar Security Cutter – the future USCGC Polar Sentinel (PSC-1). The prototype modules are being built as a proof-of-concept for the cutter but if approved...

https://news.usni.org/2023/08/09/bollinger-cuts-first-steel-on-polar-security-cutter-polar-sentinel

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