Megan Eckstein

About Megan Eckstein

Megan Eckstein is the deputy editor for USNI News. She previously covered Congress for Defense Daily and the U.S. surface navy and U.S. amphibious operations as an associate editor for Inside the Navy.

Recent Posts By the Author


ExMCM Companies, LCS Mission Package Will Both Contribute to New Mine Countermeasures Triad

ExMCM Companies, LCS Mission Package Will Both Contribute to New Mine Countermeasures Triad

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Operations Specialist First Class Sean McNamara launches the Mk 18 Mod 2 Kingfish for an initial underwater survey of Sweeper Cove on Adak Island in the Alaska’s Aleutian chain. EODMU 1 is providing expeditionary mine countermeasures support in support of Arctic Expeditionary Capabilities Exercise 2019. EODMU 1 provides operational EOD capabilities to include locating, identifying, rendering safe, exploiting, recovering, and disposing of all explosive ordnance. US Navy photo.

The Navy had previously meant to replace its legacy mine countermeasures triad of helicopters, wooden-hull ships and divers with a Littoral Combat Ship mission package that could mostly do it all with unmanned systems – but unexpected success with a separate family of systems is leading to a new triad of capabilities for fleet commanders to employ. Read More →

U.S. Naval Offensive Mining Updates Will Focus on Sub Community Tactics, Smart Mines

U.S. Naval Offensive Mining Updates Will Focus on Sub Community Tactics, Smart Mines

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A Mark-63 Quickstrike Mine is mounted on a P-3 Orion aircraft in the foreground while Aviation Ordnanceman 3rd Class Cooper Peterson, assigned to the ordnance division of Patrol Squadron (VP) 40, communicates with aircrew during preflight. US Navy photo.

This post has been updated to note the correct title for Sam Taylor, who is the senior leader for mine warfare within the Program Executive Office for Unmanned and Small Combatants.

The U.S. Navy is taking offensive mining more seriously under the National Defense Strategy and is working to bring new technologies and tactics to the fleet to modernize mine warfare for a high-end fight. Read More →

VIDEO: USS Detroit Departs for Maiden Deployment to SOUTHCOM

VIDEO: USS Detroit Departs for Maiden Deployment to SOUTHCOM

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The Freedom-variant littoral combat ship USS Detroit (LCS 7) departs Naval Station Mayport for a scheduled deployment. Detroit is deployed in support of Campaign Martillo, a joint operation with the U.S. Coast Guard and partner nations, within the U.S. 4th Fleet area of operations. US Navy photo.

Freedom-class Littoral Combat Ship USS Detroit (LCS-7) departed Mayport, Fla., last week on its maiden deployment and the first deployment from the East Coast since a LCS community reorganization. Read More →

SECNAV Spencer: Carrier Ford Challenges Tied to Costs Caps, Requirements Process

SECNAV Spencer: Carrier Ford Challenges Tied to Costs Caps, Requirements Process

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USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) conducts high-speed turns in the Atlantic Ocean on Oct. 29, 2019. US Navy Photo

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The secretary of the Navy said a congressional cost cap on the first Ford-class aircraft carrier led to bad decisions that are reverberating today, and he hopes smarter discussions around cost, risk and requirements will be had for future ship classes such as the upcoming frigate program. Read More →

Marines, Navy Considering 'Alternate' Amphibs to Supplement Today's Fleet

Marines, Navy Considering ‘Alternate’ Amphibs to Supplement Today’s Fleet

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San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship USS Anchorage (LPD-23) transits the Pacific Ocean during an amphibious squadron and Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) integration (PMINT) exercise on March 27, 2018. US Navy Photo

ANNAPOLIS, Md. – The Commandant’s Planning Guidance has sparked several questions about the future of the amphibious ship fleet – how many ships are needed, and what kinds of ships will have a role in the future – and while answers are still in development, the expeditionary warfare community has a lot of thoughts on the matter. Read More →

Modly: Navy Current Warship Mix Is Not Optimal for Future Fight

Modly: Navy Current Warship Mix Is Not Optimal for Future Fight

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USS Russell (DDG-59), left, the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Pinckney (DDG-91), center, and the Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Omaha (LCS-12) travel in formation. US Navy Photo

ARLINGTON, Va. – The Navy has concentrated more capability – and therefore more cost – onto a smaller number of ships, and that force design may not work well in a high-end fight against a peer adversary, the under secretary of the Navy said last week. Read More →

On the Field and Off, Washington Nationals Share Close Ties to the Navy

On the Field and Off, Washington Nationals Share Close Ties to the Navy

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Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy Russell Smith prepares to throw out the ceremonial first pitch at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C. during Nats Navy Day on May 1, 2019. The Washington Nationals dedicate a special game to honor and celebrate each of the five branches of the military. At each of these games, representatives from the branch will participate in the pregame ceremony and the Salute to Service. US Navy photo.

If the Washington Nationals hit a home run or win a game this weekend – the first time Nationals Park will be highlighted on baseball’s biggest stage, in the team’s first-ever World Series appearance – listen closely afterward. You’ll hear a submarine emergency surfacing horn. Read More →

Marines Test 'Lightning Carrier' Concept, Control 13 F-35Bs from Multiple Amphibs

Marines Test ‘Lightning Carrier’ Concept, Control 13 F-35Bs from Multiple Amphibs

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Thirteen U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 122, Marine Aircraft Group 13, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW), and two Marine Medium Tilt-Rotor Squadron (VMM-166) are staged aboard amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6) on Oct. 8, 2019. America is at sea conducting routine operations in the eastern Pacific. US Navy photo.

The Navy and Marine Corps recently tested out the “Lightning Carrier” concept of packing an amphibious assault ship with F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter jets, and they will likely continue to expand and exercise this capability. Read More →