Will Army Uncancel CH-47F Chinook Upgrade? Sec. Esper & Gen. McConville

Will Army Uncancel CH-47F Chinook Upgrade? Sec. Esper & Gen. McConville
Will Army Uncancel CH-47F Chinook Upgrade? Sec. Esper & Gen. McConville

The Army wants to keep its options open on upgrading its heaviest cargo helicopter. Boeing is worried the window of opportunity — and its factory — will close before the Army makes up its mind.

HASC Dems Deny Shanahan Border Wall Money Transfer

HASC Dems Deny Shanahan Border Wall Money Transfer
HASC Dems Deny Shanahan Border Wall Money Transfer

HASC Chairman Adam Smith issued a letter formally denying the request: “DoD is attempting to circumvent Congress and the American people’s opposition to using taxpayer money for the construction of an unnecessary wall, and the military is paying the cost.”

Navy Unveils $3.2B Unfunded List: 2 F-35s, New Laser & More Precision Strike

Navy Unveils $3.2B Unfunded List: 2 F-35s, New Laser & More Precision Strike
Navy Unveils $3.2B Unfunded List: 2 F-35s, New Laser & More Precision Strike

The Navy tells Congress it wants to get more deadly and sail longer. Quickly. Can you say unfunded requirements?

Navy Unveils 355 Ship Fleet Plan — But It’ll All Change

Navy Unveils 355 Ship Fleet Plan — But It’ll All Change
Navy Unveils 355 Ship Fleet Plan — But It’ll All Change

The Navy thinks it will need at least $40 billion a year to maintain its new fleet — but admits that they haven’t actually added it all up yet.

Dear Allies: Pay ‘Fair Share,’ Says Shanahan — Not 50% Plus

Dear Allies: Pay ‘Fair Share,’ Says Shanahan — Not 50% Plus
Dear Allies: Pay ‘Fair Share,’ Says Shanahan — Not 50% Plus

Acting Defense Secretary Shanahan took it on the chin from a series of lawmakers Thursday, leaving the Capitol with a direct order to produce border wall details by the end of the day.

Navy Adds Attack Sub For 2020, But Shipyard Challenges Loom

Navy Adds Attack Sub For 2020, But Shipyard Challenges Loom
Navy Adds Attack Sub For 2020, But Shipyard Challenges Loom

The Navy is set to release plans to buy an extra fast-attack sub, another destroyer, and a handful of unmanned boats. Next step: Congress.

Carrier Cutback Plan ‘Mind Boggling’: Sen. Kaine

Carrier Cutback Plan ‘Mind Boggling’: Sen. Kaine
Carrier Cutback Plan ‘Mind Boggling’: Sen. Kaine

Two top congressmen joined Virginia’s Sen. Kaine in rejecting the Pentagon’s proposal to retire the USS Truman two decades early.

Two LPD Amphibious Ships Cut From 2020 Budget Plan

Two LPD Amphibious Ships Cut From 2020 Budget Plan
Two LPD Amphibious Ships Cut From 2020 Budget Plan

Are big, expensive vessels like amphibious ships and carriers too vulnerable in a long-range missile war with Russia or China?

Pentagon To Retire USS Truman Early, Shrinking Carrier Fleet To 10

Pentagon To Retire USS Truman Early, Shrinking Carrier Fleet To 10
Pentagon To Retire USS Truman Early, Shrinking Carrier Fleet To 10

The move could save more than $30 billion over 25 years to invest in high-tech weapons — but Congress is sure to explode in outrage.

‘Fight To Get To The Fight:’ Marine Amphibs Under The Gun

‘Fight To Get To The Fight:’ Marine Amphibs Under The Gun
‘Fight To Get To The Fight:’ Marine Amphibs Under The Gun

CAPITOL HILL: Threatened by hundreds of precision-guided munitions now in the hands of Russia and China, the Navy and Marine Corps continue to search for technologies and tactics that will allow them to operate close to the coastline without unsustainable losses. “We’re going to need long-range fires that can operate from a ship or from…

Space Force Will Have Seat On Joint Chiefs, Not Full Independence; Costs TBD

Space Force Will Have Seat On Joint Chiefs, Not Full Independence; Costs TBD
Space Force Will Have Seat On Joint Chiefs, Not Full Independence; Costs TBD

PENTAGON: The Air Force has eked out a victory in the Pentagon’s latest proposal for a Space Force. While many in the Air Force would prefer to keep their current preeminent role in space operations and not create a new service at all, the current plan — to be submitted by year’s end for inclusion…

White House, Pentagon Remain In Dark Over Syria Withdrawal

White House, Pentagon Remain In Dark Over Syria Withdrawal
White House, Pentagon Remain In Dark Over Syria Withdrawal

Republican Senators erupted in outrage, and there are some indications that Turkey pushed Trump to withdraw support from its traditional foes, the Kurds. The British government issued an equivocal statement, while the Kremlin applauded the move.

Three Attack Subs ‘Not Certified To Dive’; Navy F-35s at 15 Percent Readiness

Three Attack Subs ‘Not Certified To Dive’; Navy F-35s at 15 Percent Readiness
Three Attack Subs ‘Not Certified To Dive’; Navy F-35s at 15 Percent Readiness

CAPITOL HILL: Navy readiness is “heading in the wrong direction,” the Government Accountability Office told the Senate this morning, with only 15 percent of Navy F-35Cs rated “fully mission capable.” At the same hearing, a four-star admiral acknowledged three nuclear-powered attack submarines were still stuck awaiting overhaul, with the USS Boise expected to be out of action…

$750 Billion Or Bust? Trump’s (Latest) Big Defense Budget Bound For Big Fights

$750 Billion Or Bust? Trump’s (Latest) Big Defense Budget Bound For Big Fights
$750 Billion Or Bust? Trump’s (Latest) Big Defense Budget Bound For Big Fights

Few of the experts we spoke to expect the administration to actually see the full $750 billion President Trump will reportedly propose this week. Between Trump himself calling the figure a “negotiating tactic” and the potential for it driving a $1.2 trillion deficit, the odds are awfully long.