“Those efforts have been about workforce, hiring and retention. They have been about supply chain resiliency, modernization of the yards, strategic outsourcing [and] infrastructure issues,” Brett Seidle, the Navy's acting acquisition executive, told lawmakers on Wednesday.
"This will be a whole new infrastructure that we have to stand up and so getting all of those things in place, getting the weapon system done, but as importantly, getting the fleet trained ... that's going to be the one of the challenging parts of this," said Vice. Adm Johnny Wolfe, director of the Navy’s Strategic Systems Programs.
It’s about improving existing platforms with autonomy, and applying AI, edge computing, quantum encryption, and sensor fusion.
"As our strategic environment degrades, it's only smart to increase our warstocks," Marcus Hellyer, a top Australian defense procurement expert, told Breaking Defense.
The bill extends government funding until mid-March.
Lawmakers say the Navy's "lack of communication" leaves them with few options that will fix the problems at hand.
"If our Collins class SSKs are non-operational in 2024, I really doubt that they will be a credible force through the remainder of this decade, let alone into the next one," Malcolm Davis, a defense expert at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, said.
The jet-powered transport’s speed, survivability and multi-mission agility position it as a viable option to the C-130 for the US and NATO allies.
In a note to investors, J.P. Morgan analyst Seth Seifman said the company's third quarter results and withdrawal of its cash flow guidance was "a worse outcome than we expected."
As post-COVID-19 supply chain issues persist, General Dynamics Electric Boat has "outpaced" some key suppliers, forcing out-of-sequence work that's driving up costs and delaying construction.
The Navy's two major submarine programs would both face setbacks.
The letter is the latest sign lawmakers have rejected the Navy's argument that the cut was a strategic one due to a construction backlog, though some key signatures are missing.
Protecting warfighters requires fast, accurate, and dependable systems that work flawlessly to military standards.
Part of the shakeup includes tens of billions for nuclear-powered subs, and halting the pricey procurement of an additional F-35 fighter jet squadron.
In "my opinion, the Navy is looking backwards, not forwards, in terms of what’s actually happening in the shipyards with this proposal," the Democrat said of the Navy's submarine budget proposal.
“It is not a Washington Monument ploy. It is a necessary moment that we… need to push through to actually get strategic outcomes,” said Russell Rumbaugh.
“The opportunity for our Navy personnel to learn from our AUKUS partners demonstrates meaningful progress along Australia’s pathway to acquiring nuclear-powered submarines,” Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles said.