U.S. Navy – Defense Security Monitor

Biden Administration Holds Off on Navy Fleet Expansion, but Long-Term Shipbuilding Plans Remain Uncertain

July 13, 2021July 13, 2021 - by Shaun McDougall

President Joe Biden has not adopted a naval expansion proposed by the previous administration, but the future of the Navy fleet remains uncertain because a new long-term shipbuilding plan has …

small unmanned vessel outfitted with electronics and weaponsmoves through the water

Defense / Featured / Naval Systems / North America

Esper Charts Course for Future Navy Fleet

October 13, 2020October 13, 2020 - by Shaun McDougall

U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper outlined plans to build a Navy fleet consisting of over 500 manned and unmanned ships by 2045. The planned fleet features a larger submarine component, …

Defense / Featured / Naval Systems

FREMM Wins U.S. Navy’s FFG(X) Competition

May 4, 2020May 4, 2020 - by Stuart Slade

On April 30, the U.S. Navy announced that the Fincantieri bid for the FFG(X) program had won the competition, and it placed a $795 million order for the lead ship …

an unmanned ship sits in the water near shore

Defense / Naval Systems / North America

U.S. Navy Alters Large Unmanned Surface Vessel Plans

April 2, 2020April 2, 2020 - by Shaun McDougall

The U.S. Navy has modified its Large Unmanned Surface Vessel (LUSV) acquisition plans. Last year, the service said it would begin buying two LUSVs per year starting in FY21. Those …

Defense / Military Aircraft

Australia Receives Northrop Offer for Accelerated Triton Production

March 6, 2020March 6, 2020 - by Daniel Darling

With the threat of a gap in production of its MQ-4C Triton high-altitude long-endurance (HALE) drone, Northrop Grumman is offering a reduced-rate, accelerated-production alternative to Australia. Due to a U.S. …

Defense / Missiles / North America

Congress Repeals Requirement for Conventional Long-Range Standoff Weapon

February 5, 2020February 5, 2020 - by Shaun McDougall

Congress has repealed a requirement for the U.S. Air Force to develop a conventional variant of the Long-Range Standoff (LRSO) air-launched cruise missile. A nuclear LRSO is currently under development …

Defense / Missiles / North America

U.S. Navy Fields W76-2 Low-Yield Sub-Launched Nuclear Warhead

February 4, 2020February 4, 2020 - by Shaun McDougall

The U.S. Navy has fielded the W76-2 low-yield nuclear warhead, which is used on the submarine-launched Trident II ballistic missile. The low-yield weapon is a variant of the standard W76-1 …

Defense / Naval Systems / North America

U.S. Navy Awards $22 Billion Contract for Nine Virginia Class Subs

December 3, 2019December 3, 2019 - by Shaun McDougall

The U.S. Navy has awarded a $22.2 billion contract to General Dynamics Electric Boat for nine Block V Virginia class submarines, of which eight will be equipped with the Virginia …

u.s. army soldiers work with a satellite ground station

Defense / Military Space / North America

U.S. Navy’s MUOS Satellite Constellation Deemed Fully Operational

November 11, 2019November 11, 2019 - by Shaun McDougall

The U.S. Navy’s Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) was deemed fully operational following a successful multiservice test event conducted last month, reports InsideDefense.com. A Navy spokesman confirmed that Deputy Chief …

navy ships form a line in the pacific ocean

Defense / Naval Systems / North America

CBO Releases Analysis of U.S. Navy’s FY20 Shipbuilding Plan

October 9, 2019October 9, 2019 - by Shaun McDougall

The U.S. Congressional Budget Office has released its annual assessment of the Navy’s shipbuilding plan. The latest report covers the service’s FY20 budget request and long-term spending plans. The Navy’s …