A Forecast International blog about the arms trade, geopolitics, defense and security, and military spending.
At a time when U.S. shipbuilding, both commercial and military, is facing sizeable delays and struggles in production, some U.S.-based dockyards are working to buck the trend of laggard growth. …
Metal Shark Capitalizes on Growing Demand for Small Craft Read More
September and October have been experiencing a flurry of contract awards and contract modification increases for the United States Navy’s Virginia class submarine program. Below are two of the latest …
U.S. Virginia Class Submarine Program Sees Flurry of Contract Activity Read More
A common enough saying amongst sailors that still exists today is that undersea warfare essentially boils down to two things, the predator – submarines – and the prey – targets. …
Undersea Warfare – Predator and Prey Read More
In response to China’s growing aggression in the South Pacific – specifically the South China Sea – the U.S., in May 2023, approved future sales of its Surveillance Towed …
SURTASS & New T-AGOS Class Surveillance Ship Read More
U.S. Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks’ May 6th Replicator announcement signals that the Navy’s effort to fast-track small uncrewed surface vessel (sUSV) acquisitions and fleet integration is well underway. The …
Tomorrow’s Seascape: DoD’s Replicator sUSV Element Begins to Take Shape Read More
China’s aircraft carrier program was already lagging due to an economic slowdown when the COVID-19 pandemic hit. Technical issues with the design of the next group of carriers only exacerbated …
China’s Aircraft Carrier Program to Take Battle Beyond Its Shores Read More
The Project 022 Houbei class fast attack craft-missile (FAC-M) of China’s People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) is believed to have completed its known and projected production run with a total …
Chinese Missile Boats Operate on an Attack Swarm Principle Read More
The U.S. Navy’s selection of the Italian version of FREMM for its FFG 62 Constellation class frigate program can only be described as a stunning success for Fincantieri. This decision …
FFG 62 Constellation Class Frigate Program Running Late Out the Gate Read More
The standing of the Freedom class (LCS 1) in the naval world may best be summarized by saying that while it turned into a somewhat satisfactory class of ship, it …
U.S. Littoral Combat Ship Freedom Class Variant: Cheaper to Give Away Than Fix or Even Junk? Read More
The U.S. Navy’s Ship Self-Defense System (SSDS) program will see steady annual funding through the decade of around $150 million to help carry out the vital mission of countering current …
Growing Anti-Ship Cruise Missile Threat Spurs U.S. Navy $1.5 Billion R&D Program Read More