Tag Archives: BCA 2011

Hagel Defends Pace of U.S. Arms to Iraq for ISIS Fight

Hagel Defends Pace of U.S. Arms to Iraq for ISIS Fight

Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel on Oct. 1, 2014. DoD Photo

Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel on Oct. 1, 2014. DoD Photo

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel termed Iraq’s prime minister’s comments that the United States was moving too slowly in sending weapons and materiel and providing training to his forces as being both wrong and not helpful. Read More

VCNO Howard: ‘Not A Lot of Optimism’ Sequester Will End

VCNO Howard: ‘Not A Lot of Optimism’ Sequester Will End

Vice Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Michelle Howard address sailors attached to Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 35 during an all-hands call at Naval Air Station North Island, Calif. US Navy Photo

Vice Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Michelle Howard address sailors attached to Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 35 during an all-hands call at Naval Air Station North Island, Calif. US Navy Photo

NORFOLK, VA. — The sequestration restrictions on military funding are not likely to go away anytime soon and could result in a U.S. naval force of 250 ships, Vice Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Michelle Howard said on Tuesday. Read More

U.S. Marines to Retire Harrier Fleet Earlier Than Planned, Extend Life of Hornets

U.S. Marines to Retire Harrier Fleet Earlier Than Planned, Extend Life of Hornets

AV-8B Harriers sit on the flight deck at night aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD-5) on Oct. 3, 2014. US Navy Photo

AV-8B Harriers sit on the flight deck at night aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD-5) on Oct. 3, 2014. US Navy Photo

The U.S. Marine Corps will phase out the Boeing AV-8B Harrier II jump jet by 2025 — about five years earlier than planned — and will instead extend the life of its fleet of aging Boeing F/A-18 Hornet strike fighters, according to the service’s recently released 2015 aviation plan. Read More

House Panel to Hold Hearings on Navy Cruiser and Destroyer Modernization

House Panel to Hold Hearings on Navy Cruiser and Destroyer Modernization

A Standard Missile – 3 (SM-3) Block 1B interceptor is launched from the USS LAKE ERIE (CG-70) in 2013. Missile Defense Agency Photo

A Standard Missile – 3 (SM-3) Block 1B interceptor is launched from the USS LAKE ERIE (CG-70) in 2013. Missile Defense Agency Photo

Legislators are planning to hold hearings based on concerns over the Navy’s scheme to modernize its cruiser and destroyer fleet, according to a statement from the chairman of the House Armed Services Seapower and Projection Forces subcommittee provided to USNI News. Read More

Navy Altered Destroyer Upgrades Due to Budget Pressure, Demand for Ships

Navy Altered Destroyer Upgrades Due to Budget Pressure, Demand for Ships

USS Halsey (DDG-97), USS Michael Murphy (DDG-112) and USS Gridley (DDG-101) underway on May, 23 2014. US Navy Photo

USS Halsey (DDG-97), USS Michael Murphy (DDG-112) and USS Gridley (DDG-101) underway on May, 23 2014. US Navy Photo

Budget pressure and an insatiable demand for ships capable of bulls eyeing ballistic missiles drove the Navy to alter its plan to upgrade Arleigh Burke guided missile destroyers (DDG-51), officials with the Navy surface warfare policy division (OPNAV N96) told USNI News during a Thursday briefing at the Pentagon.

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Navy Quietly Downscales Destroyer Upgrades

Navy Quietly Downscales Destroyer Upgrades

USS The Sullivans (DDG 68) returns to her homeport of Mayport, Fla., following the completion of a six-month deployment in 2013. US Navy Photo

USS The Sullivans (DDG 68) returns to her homeport of Mayport, Fla., following the completion of a six-month deployment in 2013. US Navy Photo

The Navy has quietly reduced the scope of upgrades to its guided missile destroyers in a move that could make up to a quarter of the fleet a target of early decommissioning due to obsolescence, USNI News has learned.

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