CRS

GAO Report on Columbia-class Submarine Program

The following is the January Government Accountability Office report, Columbia-class Program Lacks Essential Schedule Insight amid Continuing Construction Challenges.

From the report

What GAO Found 

The Navy plans to deliver the first, or lead, Columbia class submarine—the largest and most complex submarine in its history—more quickly than it did for the lead submarines of prior classes, such as the Virginia class program. But the shipbuilder has not conducted a schedule risk analysis of the lead...

https://news.usni.org/2023/01/25/gao-report-on-columbia-class-submarine-program

Report to Congress on Chinese Nuclear and Missile Proliferation

The following is the Jan. 23, 2023, Congressional Research Service In Focus report, Chinese Nuclear and Missile Proliferation.

From the report

The U.S. government has continued to express concerns about China’s record concerning the proliferation of nuclear- and missile-related technologies to other countries, with more recent focus on the threat of Chinese acquisition of U.S.-origin nuclear technology. (See CRS In Focus IF11050, New U.S. Policy Regarding Nuclear Exports to China, by Paul K. Kerr...

https://news.usni.org/2023/01/24/report-to-congress-on-chinese-nuclear-and-missile-proliferation

Report to Congress on Patriot Missiles for Ukraine

The following is the Jan. 18, 2023, Congressional Research Service In Focus report, PATRIOT Air and Missile Defense System for Ukraine..

From the report:

The PATRIOT air and missile defense (AMD) system is an integral component of U.S. air and missile defense. The system and its interceptors are both expensive and limited in supply. On December 21, 2022, the Department of Defense (DOD) announced the United States would provide a PATRIOT battery to Ukraine as part of a larger $1.85 billion...

https://news.usni.org/2023/01/20/report-to-congress-on-patriot-missiles-for-ukraine

U.S. Army’s Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon

The following is the Jan. 12, 2023, Congressional Research Service In Focus report, The U.S. Army’s Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon.

From the report

What Is the Army’s Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon?

The Army’s Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon (LRHW), with a reported range of 1,725 miles, consists of a ground-launched missile equipped with a hypersonic glide body and associated transport, support, and fire control equipment. According to the Army:

This land-based, truck-launched system is armed with...

https://news.usni.org/2023/01/13/u-s-armys-long-range-hypersonic-weapon

Report to Congress on The People’s Liberation Army

The following is the Dec. 21, 2022, Congressional Research Service In Focus report, China Primer: The People’s Liberation Army (PLA).

From the report

Overview

The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) is the military arm of the People’s Republic of China’s (PRC’ or China’s) ruling Communist Party. Since 2018, the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) has referred to China as the “pacing” threat or challenge for the U.S. military. DOD reported in November 2022 that China’s leaders aim to use the PLA, in part,...

https://news.usni.org/2022/12/22/report-to-congress-on-the-peoples-liberation-army

Report to Congress on F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Engine

The following is the Dec. 2, 2022, Congressional Research Service In Focus report, F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) Engine Options.

From the report

The Department of Defense (DOD) is considering whether to upgrade the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter’s (JSF’s) existing F135 engine—the Engine Enhancement Package (EEP)—or to develop and procure a new engine for the aircraft—the Adaptive Engine Technology Program (AETP). Congress has long expressed interest in issues relating to the F-35’s engine. Section...

https://news.usni.org/2022/12/08/report-to-congress-on-f-35-joint-strike-fighter-engine

Pentagon: Chinese Navy to Expand to 400 Ships by 2025, Growth Focused on Surface Combatants

People’s Liberation Army Navy aircraft carrier Shandong berths at a naval port in Sanya, China. PLAN Photo

China is building more modern surface combatants and expanding its aircraft carrier and logistics force to grow its naval influence further from shore, according to the Pentagon’s annual report on Chinese military power.

By 2025, the People’s Liberation Army Navy is expected to grow to 400 hulls, up from its fleet of 340, according to the Pentagon’s annual China military report estimates...

https://news.usni.org/2022/11/29/pentagon-chinese-navy-to-expand-to-400-ships-by-2025-growth-focused-on-surface-combatants

Defense Primer: Naval Forces

The following is the Nov. 15, 2022, Congressional Research Service, Defense Primer: Naval Forces.

From the report

“Naval Forces” Refers to Both the Navy and Marine Corps

Although the term naval forces is often used to refer specifically to Navy forces, it more properly refers to both Navy and Marine Corps forces, because both the Navy and Marine Corps are naval services. For further discussion, see CRS In Focus IF10484, Defense Primer: Department of the Navy, by Ronald O’Rourke. For a discussion...

https://news.usni.org/2022/11/23/defense-primer-naval-forces

Defense Primer: U.S. Special Operation Forces

The following is the Nov. 21, 2022, Congressional Research Service, Defense Primer: Special Operation Forces.

From the report

Special Operations Forces (SOF) are those active duty and reserve component forces of the military services designated by the Secretary of Defense (SECDEF) and specifically selected, organized, trained, and equipped to conduct and support special operations. Special operations frequently require unique modes of employment, tactics, techniques, procedures, and equipment....

https://news.usni.org/2022/11/22/defense-primer-u-s-special-operation-forces

Defense Primer: U.S. Defense Appropriations Process

The following is the Nov. 17, 2022, Congressional Research Service Defense Primer: Defense Appropriations Process.

From the report

The Constitution gives Congress the power of the purse in Article I, Section 9, which provides that “No money shall be drawn from the Treasury, but in Consequence of Appropriations made by Law.” To fulfill this duty, Congress annually considers appropriations measures, which provide funding for numerous activities—such as national defense, education, and homeland...

https://news.usni.org/2022/11/18/defense-primer-u-s-defense-appropriations-process

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