China’s economy may have significant problems ahead that would put the brakes on military spending for ships, missiles and aircraft in the next decade, therefore its leaders may see the next few years as the best time to improve its positions in the near seas, military and China experts told a key congressional defense committee on Wednesday. Read More
U.S. Marine instructor with Expeditionary Warfare Training Group Pacific, drives a group of Japanese soldiers from the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force’s Western Army Infantry Regiment around San Diego Bay in a rigid-hull inflatable boat. DoD Photo
A new draft of Japan’s national security strategy calls for an expansion of the country’s military power in reaction to China’s military rise and growing territorial claims. Read More
Two F/A-18F Super Hornets, assigned to the “Black Knights” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 154, shoot flares as they pass the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN-68) during an airshow on Dec. 7, 2013. US Navy Photo
The U.S. Navy marked the Boeing F/A-18 Hornet’s 35th anniversary with the fleet on a Monday at a ceremony at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md. Read More
An artist’s conception of the Northrop Grumman RQ-180. Aviation Week Photo
Industry trade journal Aviation Week suggests that a new extremely stealthy long-range strategic unmanned intelligence surveillance reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft — the Northrop Grumman RQ-180 — not only exists but that it could be operational by 2015. Read More
Naval Research Laboratory XFC Sea Robin demonstration Atlantic Undersea Test & Evaluation Center in August 2013. US Navy Photo
The U.S. Navy has demonstrated the launch of a small unmanned aircraft from submarine for the first time, the service announced in a statement on Dec. 5. The successful test could herald the arrival of potentially revolutionary new intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities for the Navy’ submarine force and special warfare communities. Read More
An EA-18G Growler from the Shadowhawks of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 141 on Oct. 10, 2013 US Navy Photo
A senior member of the House Armed Services Committee is imploring the Pentagon to preserve the Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet production line until the Lockheed Martin F-35C Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter has completed its development cycle. Read More
The following is a Dec. 4, 2013 letter from Rep. Randy Forbes (R-Va.) to Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel. Read More
An undated photo of ROC guided missile destroyer Makung (1805), a former US Navy Kidd-class destroyer.
The following is from the Congressional Research Service report, Taiwan: Major U.S. Arms Sales Since 1990.
This CRS Report discusses U.S. security assistance for Taiwan, formally called the Republic of China (ROC), particularly policy issues for Congress. It also lists sales of major defense articles and services to Taiwan, as approved by the President and notified to Congress since 1990. This report uses a variety of unclassified consultations and citations in the United States and Taiwan. Read More
P-8A Poseidon No. 429 takes off from NAS Jacksonville, Fla. Nov. 29, 2013. US Navy Photo
Two U.S. Navy P-8A Poseidon aircraft have arrived at Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, Japan to begin the first deployment for the service’s new information, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft, the Navy announced on Monday. Read More
A U.S. B-52 Stratofortress strategic bomber. Press reports claim two of the planes flew from Guam into an Air Defense Zone China established over the weekend. US Air Force Photo
Two unarmed U.S. military planes flew through a section of international airspace to which China has claimed extra rights, Pentagon officials confirmed to USNI News Tuesday afternoon. Read More
