U.S. Strategic Command

Eliminating ‘Risk Aversion’ Key to Weapons Development, Says Vice Chair Nominee Grady

Adm. Christopher Grady speaks at the memorial service for Mr. John ‘Bag’ Hefti on Nov. 5, 2021. US Navy Photo

Fear of failure is keeping the U.S. from developing weapon systems to keep up with China and Russia, the nominee for the number two job on the Joint Chiefs of Staff told a Senate panel on Wednesday.

“That risk aversion was born of a period perhaps in the late 90s, early 90s, when we didn’t have any peer competitors. That’s not the case now. We have to be able to fail, to learn faster....

https://news.usni.org/2021/12/08/eliminating-risk-aversion-key-to-weapons-development-says-vice-chair-nominee-grady

Fleet Forces CO Grady Nominated to be Vice Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff

Adm. Christopher W. Grady, commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command, speaks to assembled leaders on Oct. 26, 2021. US Navy Photo

The White House has nominated the current commander of U.S. Fleet Forces Command to serve in the number two position on the Joint Chiefs of Staff, USNI News has learned.

Adm. Chris Grady’s nomination to serve as the vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff was submitted to the Senate Armed Services Committee on Monday, two legislative sources familiar with the nomination...

https://news.usni.org/2021/11/02/fleet-forces-co-grady-nominated-to-be-vice-chairman-of-joint-chiefs-of-staff

Joint Chiefs Vice Chair Hyten Concerned About Potential Gap in Position When He Leaves Next Month

U.S. Air Force Gen. John E. Hyten, 11th Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, speaks to Department of Defense staff members during a memorial observance in honor of those who were lost during 9/11 at the Pentagon in Arlington, Va., on Sept. 10, 2021. US Army Photo

The outgoing vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff is concerned ongoing work on electronic warfare could stall if there’s a gap between his November retirement and a successor assuming the number-two position in the Pentagon.

https://news.usni.org/2021/10/28/joint-chiefs-vice-chair-hyten-concerned-about-gap-in-position-when-he-leaves-next-month

GAO Report on Defense Department Satellite Communications

The following is the September 2021 Government Accountability Office report, Satellite Communications: DOD Should Explore Options to Meet User Needs for
Narrowband Capabilities.

From the report

Why GAO Did This Study
DOD has invested $7.4 billion to develop, build, and begin delivering MUOS. However, longstanding gaps between the fielding of the satellite system and compatible user terminals have limited DOD’s ability to fully use the system.

The Senate Armed Services Committee report to the bill...

https://news.usni.org/2021/09/06/gao-report-on-defense-department-satellite-communications

STRATCOM: China’s Pursuit of Nuclear and Hypersonic Weapons Adds Urgency to U.S. Deterrence

Artist impression of 3M22 Tsirkon / Zircon hypersonic missile via Naval News

China’s recent full-speed-ahead breakout in nuclear forces, space and cyber efforts, and hypersonic systems adds new urgency to America’s need to ensure its deterrence systems are holding, U.S. Strategic Command’s top officer said Thursday.

Adm. Charles Richard said the United States has never before “faced two peer opponents” with extensive nuclear weapons arsenals and high-technology systems capable of operating across...

https://news.usni.org/2021/08/26/stratcom-chinas-pursuit-of-nuclear-and-hypersonic-weapons-adds-urgency-to-u-s-deterrence

Summary of Low-Yield Nuclear Warhead Debate

The following is the Jan. 5, 2021 Congressional Research Service In Focus report, A Low-Yield, Submarine-Launched Nuclear Warhead: Overview of the Expert Debate.

From the report

The Low-Yield D-5 Warhead

The Trump Administration developed a new low-yield version of the W-76 warhead for existing submarine-launched Trident II (D-5) missiles. Unclassified sources state that the existing W76-1 warhead has an explosive yield of around 100 kilotons. The National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)...

https://news.usni.org/2021/01/06/summary-of-low-yield-nuclear-warhead-debate

STRATCOM: U.S. Needs ‘Broader-Based Strategic Review’ To Assess Threats

An unarmed Trident II D5 missile launches from the Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine USS Nebraska (SSBN-739) off the coast of California. US Navy Photo

The United States should conduct a new broad strategic review to evaluate global threats and determine its strategy, the head of U.S. Strategic Command said Tuesday.

During a virtual roundtable hosted by the Defense Writer’s Group, Adm. Charles Richard said he supports reassessing the nuclear posture review, but argued for a holistic approach...

https://news.usni.org/2021/01/05/stratcom-u-s-needs-broader-based-strategic-review-to-assess-threats

Joint Chiefs Vice Chair John Hyten Expected to Retire Next Year; Shortest Tenure in Job Since 2007

United States Air Force Academy cadets listen and ask questions with Gen. John Hyten at the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo., Sept. 8, 2020. US Air Force Photo

The Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff is set to step down from the number-two leadership role in the Pentagon next year, USNI News has learned.

Gen. John Hyten, who took on the job in November 2019, plans to step down from the position before ending his four-year term, three U.S. officials confirmed to USNI News.

Under the rules for...

https://news.usni.org/2020/11/13/joint-chiefs-vice-chair-john-hyten-expected-to-retire-next-year-shortest-tenure-in-job-since-2007

Senators Clash Over $8B Nuclear Security Admin Funding Holdover

Virginia-class submarine Delaware (SSN 791) was moved out of a construction facility into a floating dry dock using a transfer car system in 2018. HII Photo

A group of senators pressed the head of the National Nuclear Security Administration on Thursday to explain why her agency carries over approximately $8 billion in unspent funds year-over-year that lawmakers argued could be put toward building a second Virginia-class submarine next year.

Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) noted the second...

https://news.usni.org/2020/09/17/senators-clash-over-8b-nuclear-security-admin-funding-holdover

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