Congressional Research Service

Offering policy advice for the next administration? Be realistic.

In this op-ed, Mark Cancian with CSIS lays out some idea for how to make transition papers from think tanks actually matter to a new administration.

Congressional concern re-emerges on fate of MDA’s hypersonic missile tracking sensors

"I am concerned about the transition of HBTSS from the Missile Defense Agency to the Space Development Agency. The apparent shift in strategy to deploy this capability does not reflect the urgency of the hypersonic threats we face," Rep. Doug Lamborn, R-Colo., chairman of the House Armed Service's strategic forces subcommittee, told Breaking Defense.

Sentinel ICBM ‘on track’ for flight test this year: Senior USAF official

According to the Congressional Research Service, due to its modular design and increased throw weight, the Sentinel ICBM could be equipped "with two or three warheads to meet the international security environment."

Navy’s shipbuilding request may be ‘violation of law,’ Inhofe warns

Expect Congress to voice its displeasure when Navy leadership testify on Capitol Hill.

Congressional researchers identify key questions in America’s hypersonic race

Congressional Research Service report could shape lawmaker questions on hypersonics at next hearing, from funding to command and control issues.

DoD Needs To Sharpen Hypersonics Oversight: GAO

GAO notes that efforts to defend against Russian and Chinese hypersonic missiles are much less mature than offensive efforts, with much less funding. Only 12 of 70 projects tracked by GAO related to defenses; DoD requested $207 million in 2021 for hypersonic defense, up from $157 million in 2020.

Hypersonic Debates Shaped By Politics: Aerospace

"In some ways, it's too early to say 'game changer,' or 'nothing.' And I would say, just to put it starkly, each of those positions is probably likely to be untrue or inaccurate," CSBA's Tom Mahnken says.

Aerospace Cos Wary Of Digital Design Revolution

"With a flattening budget topline (at best) and many competing Air Force investment priorities, it’s not at all clear that this program will continue. We might just be left with a museum-ready prototype," Teal Group's Richard Aboulafia says.

Fixing Space Acquisition Air Force’s ‘Harshest Fight:’ AFSec Barrett

"I'd like to say that we've got that resolved, but it's not nearly resolved," Air Force Secretary Barbara Barrett said of space acquisition.

JEDI: Inside Amazon’s Nesting-Doll Protest

Amazon’s new protest to the Pentagon isn’t about getting the Defense Department to change its mind, experts say. It’s really a signal to the judge in the long-running court battle over the JEDI contract.

DoD Winnowing Efforts To Counter Small Drones

"We're looking across the spectrum at the detect, track, ID, and defeat systems," Geaney said.

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.

OMB ‘Supports’ Extra LCS, But Where’s The Money?

UPDATE: Source Says WH Will Fund LCS Add; CRS Naval Expert Comments  CAPITOL HILL: In a startling turnabout, the Trump Administration now “supports” adding a $541 million Littoral Combat Ship to yesterday’s 2018 budget request, Navy officials told Congress this afternoon. What, exactly, does that mean? The Navy doesn’t know. Minutes before Navy witnesses were to testify […]

355-Ship Fleet Costs $5B Extra Per Year: CRS

WASHINGTON: Building the Navy’s 355-ship fleet will be even harder than we thought, according to a new study from the Congressional Research Service. Veteran Navy expert Ronald O’Rourke estimates that, even if US shipyards work 50 percent faster than today, we wouldn’t have enough aircraft carriers until roughly 2030 — 14 years from now — and enough […]