The following is the Aug. 25, 2023, Congressional Research Service Report, Navy Large Unmanned Surface and Undersea Vehicles: Background and Issues for Congress. Read More
Category Archives: Surface Forces
Navy Ships, Aircraft in Florida Sortie to Avoid Tropical Storm Idalia
Tropical Storm Idalia on Aug. 28, 2023. National Weather Service Image
Ships and aircraft assigned to Florida Navy installations in the path of Tropical Storm Idalia will start sortieing today in preparation for the storm’s landfall. Read More
DEPSECDEF Hicks: DoD Wants Thousands of Drones to Counter China’s Military Mass Advantage
A Saildrone Explorer unmanned surface vessel (USV) operates with guided-missile destroyer USS Delbert D. Black (DDG-119) in the Arabian Gulf during exercise Phantom Scope, Oct. 7, 2022. US Navy Photo
The Pentagon is betting that by fielding thousands of attritable autonomous systems across domains in fewer than two years, the United States can overcome China’s advantage of mass in manpower, ships, aircraft and missiles, Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks said in a Monday speech. Read More
USNI News Fleet and Marine Tracker: Aug. 28, 2023
USNI News Graphic
These are the approximate positions of the U.S. Navy’s deployed carrier strike groups and amphibious ready groups throughout the world as of Aug. 28, 2023, based on Navy and public data. In cases where a CSG or ARG is conducting disaggregated operations, the chart reflects the location of the capital ship. Read More
U.S., Australia, Japan Drill with the Philippines in South China Sea; China Flies Military Drone Near Taiwan
HMAS Canberra (L02) with JS Izumo (DDH-183) on Aug. 24, 2023. JMSDF Photo
The U.S., Australia, Japan and the Philippines carried out a joint exercise in the waters off Manila on Thursday involving the Australian and Japanese large-deck ships on deployment in the region. Meanwhile, Chinese bombers flew near Japan while a Chinese unmanned air vehicle conducted a flight off Taiwan’s east coast, according to Japan Ministry of Defense press releases. Read More
Acting Commanders Set to Take Charge of Naval Academy, Naval Air Forces and NAVSEA
(l to r) Rear Adm. Fred Kacher, Rear Adm. George Wikoff and Rear Adm. Tom Anderson
Temporary leaders for the Naval Academy, Naval Air Forces and Naval Sea Systems Command are set to step into acting roles between now and Sept. 7, as an ongoing hold on confirming senior military nominations continues, USNI News has learned. Read More
Ukrainian Forces Plant Flag in Crimea Following Raid
Satellite image of the Crimean Peninsula. NASA Image
Ukrainian forces landed on Crimean shores Thursday, according to local press reports. Read More
Growing Tension with China Requires More Surveillance off the Philippines, Report Finds
PCG vessels – BRP Cabra and BRP Sindangan escorted the indigenous boats utilized by the AFP as supply vessels to transport essential provisions to our troops aboard BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal, completing the mission on Aug. 22, 2023. Philippine Coast Guard Photo
With a U.S. Navy reconnaissance plane circling overhead, two resupply ships escorted by two Philippine Coast Guard vessels maneuvered their way through a Chinese naval blockade in a five-hour confrontation to bring food, other supplies and a fresh crew to its forces guarding a contested shoal, according to press reports. Read More
USS Howard Suffered ‘Soft Grounding’ Near Bali Ahead of CO Removal
USS Howard (DDG-83) conducts small boat operations off the Japanese coast on Jan. 24, 2023. US Navy Photo
A Japan-based guided-missile destroyer made a “soft-grounding,” near the Indonesian island of Bali ahead of a port visit on Aug. 10, USNI News has learned. Read More
Report to Congress on South China Sea Disputes
The following is the Aug. 21, 2023, Congressional Research Service report, China Primer: South China Sea Disputes. Read More
