“What does the F-35 give us? Is there a way to cut our losses?” asked Rep. Adam Smith, who wants a mixed force of different types of fighters: “Don’t put all your eggs in one basket.”
By Sydney J. Freedberg Jr.Huntington Ingalls, best known for building the Nimitz and Ford-class carriers, amphibious ships and nuclear submarines, is taking notes on the Navy’s new plans to build unmanned ships.
By Paul McLearyThe Trump administration waited four years to come up with a plan to increase the size of the fleet, dumping it on the Pentagon’s doorstep even as the moving vans were getting ready to pull up to the White House.
By Paul McLearyThe release of the Trump plans will undoubtedly complicate life for the Biden team, which will now be forced to wrestle publicly with both the increases and the cuts.
By Paul McLeary“The contradictions and the flaws in this report are so blatant that I think it’s a pretty weak reed to lean on…given the fact that [the Trump administration] basically were just doing Obama’s shipbuilding plan up until this point,” says Rep. Joe Courtney
By Paul McLeary“Look, I’m an Army guy,” Milley said. “And I love the Army…but the fundamental defense of the United States and the ability to project power forward will always be for America naval and air and space power.”
By Paul McLearyWith repair costs coming in at about $3.2 billion, the navy is forced to walk away from one of 10 amphibious ships slated to play a big role in the competition with China
By Paul McLearyEsper’s Navy plan remains stuck at the White House, but with the Trump term running out, what parts of it will survive?
By Paul McLearySources have said the Trump Administration is strongly considering releasing a 2022 federal budget before Joe Biden’s Jan. 20 inauguration, a move meant to throw down markers for government spending.
By Paul McLearyThe Navy awarded a big contract to modify its newest aircraft carrier — tossing the ball back to Capitol Hill which demanded the work, but neglected to provide funding.
By Paul McLearySmith sees a blue wave as exposing fissures within the party over “how much do you spend on defense, and what does your presence in the world look like,” Smith said, noting that progressives are skeptical about defense spending and overseas deployments
By Paul McLeary