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The U.S. Navy ships and aircraft plans are competing for funds in the challenging budget environment due to the Iraq war.

The US Defense Department has announced that it will provide additional military support to the Secret Service in order to enhance security for the major presidential and vice presidential candidates during the upcoming election. This decision comes in response to a request from the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees the Secret Service. The specific reasons for this increased support were not disclosed, but it is worth noting that the Secret Service has faced criticism for security failures in the past. The military support is expected to continue until the inauguration of the president-elect and vice president-elect in January. [Extracted from the article]

A top Republican lawmaker, Representative Ken Calvert, has criticized Northrop Grumman Corp. for causing delays in the delivery of the Pentagon's next-generation nuclear-missile submarine. Calvert stated that a subcontractor for Northrop Grumman overpromised and under-delivered on a crucial part of the submarine. The turbine generators, which were supposed to be delivered by 2021, are now projected to be delivered in early 2025, potentially causing a delay of up to 16 months for the submarine's delivery. The article also mentions delays in the delivery of the vessel's bow section by Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII). Calvert's defense panel is proposing funding for the procurement of the second submarine and improvements to the US submarine industrial base. [Extracted from the article]

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has expressed concern that Ukraine's recent attacks on Russian oil refineries could have a negative impact on global energy markets. He urged Ukraine to focus on military targets instead. The US has been trying to balance cutting President Vladimir Putin's revenue from petroleum exports with maintaining global energy market stability. Austin's remarks were criticized by Republican Senator Tom Cotton, who accused the administration of discouraging effective Ukrainian action for political reasons. Austin also called on Congress to approve additional military aid to Ukraine. [Extracted from the article]

China is reportedly building up its military and nuclear arsenal at a scale not seen since World War II, with the aim of being ready to invade Taiwan by 2027, according to Admiral John Aquilino, the leader of the Indo-Pacific Command. Despite economic challenges, China's defense budget has increased by 16% in recent years to over $223 billion. Aquilino stated that the People's Liberation Army (PLA) has added over 400 fighter aircraft and more than 20 major warships in the past three years, as well as doubling its inventory of ballistic and cruise missiles since 2020. Aquilino also mentioned that the Chinese military has been rehearsing various tasks related to operations against Taiwan. Chinese officials have responded by stating that Taiwan is China's internal affair and accused the US of causing division in the Asia-Pacific region. China's defense budget is still significantly less than that of the US, with President Joe Biden proposing an $850 billion Pentagon budget for fiscal 2025. US lawmakers and military leaders have debated China's intentions for Taiwan, with the US intelligence community assessing that China does not want a military conflict over Taiwan but is determined to bring the island under its control. China's partnership with Russia is also a concern, as it has provided economic and security assistance to Russia for the invasion of Ukraine. [Extracted from the article]

China is rapidly building up its military and nuclear arsenal, with the goal of being ready to invade Taiwan by 2027, according to Admiral John Aquilino, the leader of the Indo-Pacific Command. Despite economic challenges, China's defense budget has increased by 16% in recent years to over $223 billion. The People's Liberation Army (PLA) has added hundreds of fighter aircraft, major warships, and doubled its inventory of ballistic and cruise missiles. Aquilino stated that all indications point to the PLA meeting President Xi Jinping's directive to unify Taiwan with mainland China by force. The Chinese military has also been practicing operations against Taiwan, including simulating an encirclement with a maritime and air blockade. While US intelligence assesses that China does not want a military conflict over Taiwan, it remains determined to bring the island under its control. China's defense spending has allowed it to field modern systems and project power in the Pacific region. China's partnership with Russia is also concerning, as it provides assistance to Russia in the invasion of Ukraine. [Extracted from the article]

Despite accounting for each and every missing soldier in the Iraq war--a first in U.S. military history--the combat search and rescue community is stretched thin and grappling with gaps raging [...]

The U.S. Army is committing increasing resources to developing sharply enhanced surveillance, communications and weapons for unmanned aerial vehicles. It also is developing tactical doctrine to deploy these assets from [...]

Air Force pilots are not receiving enough high-quality training, largely because some flight simulators lack the sophistication needed to practice realistic warfare missions, said the chief of the Air Combat [...]

The US Senate has shown support for providing war aid to Ukraine and Israel in a test vote, signaling a shift in Republican stance on the security assistance package. However, the funding still faces obstacles in the House, where Republican leaders are demanding stricter border enforcement policies before approving the aid. Hardline conservatives in the House have warned against voting on aid to Ukraine without imposing new US immigration restrictions. The situation in Ukraine has worsened, with Russian forces launching offensives and supplies dwindling, while the US has been delayed in providing over $60 billion in assistance. The Senate funding package, which also includes funds for Israel and allies in the Pacific, would benefit the US defense industry with approximately $35 billion and support American jobs. [Extracted from the article]

The US Senate has shown support for providing war aid to Ukraine and Israel in a test vote, ending a four-month blockade by Republicans on the security assistance package. The vote allows the Senate to begin considering a standalone war aid package, although further voting is required to pass the funding. However, the funding still faces challenges in the House, where Republican leaders are demanding stricter border enforcement policies. This article provides an update on the ongoing political developments regarding war aid and border enforcement in the US. [Extracted from the article]

A Senate compromise has been unveiled that would provide about $35 billion to the US defense industry. This funding would include support for Ukraine, Israel, and allies in the Pacific. The bill faces opposition in the House, but if passed, it would benefit companies such as Lockheed Martin, RTX Corp., General Dynamics, Boeing, Northrop Grumman, and HII. The legislation also includes provisions to counter China's influence in the Indo-Pacific region and support US operations in the Middle East. Israel would receive $10.6 billion for its defense systems, while the US would allocate funds to counter Iranian-backed groups. [Extracted from the article]

The commander of US Navy forces in the Middle East has stated that the Iranian-backed Houthi militants in Yemen show no signs of backing off from their attacks in the Red Sea. The US-led force has successfully shot down 19 drones and missiles launched by the Houthis in less than a month. A coalition task force has been protecting international merchant ships in the Red Sea since December 18, with five vessels employing a "zone defense" strategy. The US and its allies have issued stern warnings to the Houthis, stating that they will bear the responsibility for any consequences resulting from their continued threats to lives and global commerce. The UK has indicated that it may take action against the Houthis if they do not heed the warning. The ongoing attacks in Yemen add to the risks of the conflict between Israel and Hamas expanding into a broader regional conflict. The Houthi threat has led to major shipping operators taking longer and costlier routes to avoid the Red Sea, driving up short-term rates for container shipping. [Extracted from the article]

Senator Tommy Tuberville has ended his months-long holds on military promotions, allowing the Senate to confirm over 400 senior officers. Tuberville had placed the holds in order to pressure the Defense Department to end a policy allowing personnel to travel for abortion care. After Senate Democrats proposed a temporary resolution to allow the nominations to be taken up in bulk, Tuberville released the holds. President Joe Biden criticized Tuberville's actions, stating that they had needlessly harmed service members and military families. [Extracted from the article]

House Speaker Mike Johnson has rejected efforts to include controls on US investment in Chinese technology in a must-pass defense bill. This decision is a setback for bipartisan efforts to require firms to notify the government about certain investments in China and other countries of concern. The issue has caused a divide among Republican leaders, with some opposing the language. Instead, Johnson has tasked several chairmen with resolving their differences on the matter by early next year. The compromise defense authorization bill, known as the NDAA, is set to be released soon. [Extracted from the article]

The article focuses on reorienting the U.S. military to compete with the People's Republic of China as of August 2021. Topics include U.S. President Joe Biden and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin III, the possibility of a Chinese invasion of Taiwan, and the disputed islands in the South China Sea.

The ability of the U.S. military services to blend into a seamless force and act decisively against a sophisticated enemy will be tested in a large-scale experiment next summer, called [...]

At Andy Andrews' amusement park, bullets whiz, grenades and mortar shells hurtle everywhere. Killers lurk around the corner. Andrews, resting on his cane and dragging on a cigarette, directs the [...]

They are the size of a man, only a bit heavier, and they will fly into outer space. They are the new microsatellites developed at the French National Space Research [...]

Miniaturized structures made of silver particles could serve as data-storage devices, say researchers at the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta. They report they've demonstrated binary optical storage by writing [...]

The United Kingdom has developed a new generation of lightweight chemical agent detectors (LCAD) meant to protect soldiers facing chemical attacks. The UK Defence Procurement Agency (DPA) is awarding a [...]

There is a new aviation search-light that works with other onboard aircraft systems and not as a separate component. The light is called Nightsun II and is developed by Spectorlab. [...]

The Naval Facilities Engineering Center (NFESC) in Port Hueneme, Calif., has agreed to the innovative use of treatment wetlands. These wetlands are designed to cut off waste streams and strengthen [...]

Scientists at the Energy Department's Los Alamos National Laboratory have developed a technology that could ease the transition from analog television to high-definition television (HDTV)--the format for TV signals that [...]

A new, handheld landmine detector will enable soldiers to detect anti-tank and anti-personnel landmines more accurately, officials said. The lightweight system will fuse two sensor technologies: ground penetrating radar and [...]

The US Defense Department has failed its financial audit for the sixth year in a row. Despite this, Pentagon officials claim progress in tracking assets and correcting deficiencies. The audit required 1,600 auditors and 700 site visits, costing $187 million. The Pentagon's inspector general's office will issue its own findings. Lawmakers have pushed for a "clean" audit by 2027, but the Pentagon blames unreliable budgeting by Congress. Of the 29 Defense Department components audited, seven received a clean opinion, one received a qualified opinion, and the rest received disclaimers. The audit identified $621 million in payments subject to improper payment testing, resulting in a 99.76% proper payment rate. The department measures audit progress in areas such as workforce modernization and reliable networks. The Navy uncovered $330 million during the audit. [Extracted from the article]

Also among the travelers are several senators who sit on the Senate Appropriations Committee, which will weigh a White House request for more than $100 billion in supplemental funding for Israel and Ukraine, among other administration priorities. (Bloomberg) -- A bipartisan group of US senators arrived in Saudi Arabia as part of a trip through the region aimed at keeping Saudi-Israeli diplomacy on track and trying to prevent Israel's conflict with Hamas from spreading into a wider war. [Extracted from the article]

(Bloomberg) -- President Joe Biden directly appealed to the American people to support funding for Israel and Ukraine's war efforts, warning that Hamas and Russian President Vladimir Putin pose parallel threats to US democracy. Biden argued that supporting Ukraine and Israel in their fights against Russia and militant groups, respectively is "vital for America's national security.". [Extracted from the article]

Although the Carney "currently might not be in the best geographic location to help Israel counter any Iranian theater-range ballistic missiles" other ballistic missile defense-capable Navy Aegis destroyers in the Eastern Mediterranean "could be in a better location to do that", he said. (Bloomberg) -- The US is seeing stepped-up drone attacks in Iraq and Syria, the Pentagon said Thursday, while an American destroyer in the Red Sea intercepted cruise missiles and drones fired toward Israel by Houthi rebels in Yemen. The Carney, a ballistic missile defense destroyer based in Rota, Spain, is equipped to intercept aerial targets, such as the three cruise missiles, or short-and mid-range ballistic missiles. [Extracted from the article]

The US base at Al Taf, Syria, was targeted by two drones on Wednesday, Pentagon spokesman Brigadier General Pat Ryder said. Biden Embrace Turns Israel Ground War Into "Something Different" Around the same time, the destroyer USS Carney intercepted three cruise missiles and several drones launched by Houthi rebels in Yemen, Ryder told a briefing in Washington. (Bloomberg) -- A US base in Syria was targeted by drones, while a US destroyer intercepted cruise missiles and drones in Yemen, incidents that caused minor injuries but prompted fresh concerns that Israel's war with Hamas may spark a bigger conflict and pull in the US. [Extracted from the article]

(Bloomberg) -- The US is seeing stepped-up drone attacks in Iraq and Syria, the Pentagon said Thursday, while an American destroyer in the Red Sea intercepted cruise missiles and drones fired toward Israel by Houthi rebels in Yemen. Biden Embrace Turns Israel Ground War Into "Something Different" The US base at Al Tanf, Syria, was targeted by two drones on Wednesday, Ryder said. The US is sending more interceptors for Israel's Iron Dome rocket defense system, Ryder said. [Extracted from the article]

The US has recorded some 300 incidents since September 2021 that it characterized as unprofessional and potentially dangerous encounters by People's Liberation Arm aircraft, said Ely Ratner, the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs. (Bloomberg) -- Chinese aircraft have sharply increased what the US says is "coercive and risky" behavior in the South China Sea in the last two years, US officials said, calling it a campaign to deny the US and its allies their right to fly in international airspace. US Says China Has Stepped Up "Risky" Behavior in South China Sea. [Extracted from the article]

(Bloomberg) -- President Joe Biden is considering a supplemental request of approximately $100 billion that would include defense assistance for Israel and Ukraine alongside border security funding and aid to nations in the Indo-Pacific, including Taiwan, according to people familiar with the matter. A group of lawmakers supportive of additional aid for Kyiv earlier this month proposed that the administration pursue a joint aid package for Israel and Ukraine in hopes of overcoming Republican opposition. [Extracted from the article]

(Bloomberg) -- Former President Donald Trump has repeatedly been accused of leaking US secrets, but the latest allegations against him involve key details about some of the most sensitive weapons in the US nuclear arsenal. In a social media post, Trump called the submarine allegations "false and ridiculous", arguing that he was only telling Pratt that the US makes the best military equipment in the world. [Extracted from the article]

(Bloomberg) -- The Pentagon's ambitious plan to accelerate production of the most widely used artillery shell in Ukraine depends on a series of near-simultaneous actions across the US unlike anything seen since World War II. TNT isn't currently made in the US, and the Pentagon buys from friendly countries such as Poland. The Pentagon is going to need both IMX and TNT in order to meet the high-quantity goals, Bush said. [Extracted from the article]

Read More: US Set to Send Limited Number of ATACMS Missiles to Ukraine The modifications needed to convert the launcher are "not that much, some cables, some software - it's not dramatic", Bush said. (Bloomberg) -- The Army is poised to send Ukraine some of its long-range ATACMS missiles armed with cluster munitions once President Joe Biden approves the transfer, according to the service's top weapons buyer. [Extracted from the article]

(Bloomberg) -- A government shutdown would slow the pace of replacing weapons stockpiles sent to Ukraine, the Defense Department's comptroller said, especially if new money for the war against Russia is left out of the ultimate spending package. "A shutdown could halt our munitions production lines, as it did in the 2013 shutdown", Senator Jack Reed, the chair of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said on the floor on Wednesday. [Extracted from the article]