Del Toro: Innovate Faster to Solve Navy’s Problems
NavSec Carlos Del Toro unveiled the new Naval Science and Technology strategy last week. It’s a “call to service” for scientists and engineers from across the country to help the military solve its problems. The Naval S&T strategy aims to strengthen collaboration with industry, academia, and partners and allies, to cultivate research and accelerate delivery of technological innovation. “S&T is a means, and maritime dominance is the ends,” Del Toro said.
Biden Wants to Scale Back F-35 Orders
The Biden administration wants to scale back on Lockheed Martin F-35s. DoD’s order for F-35 fighter jets will drop to below 70, down from an expected 83 – an estimated $1.6 billion drop in spending on jets.
US Foreign Military Sales Hit All-Time High in FY23
US foreign military sales and deliveries hit $80.9 billion last year. The fiscal 2023 total was 55% higher than the previous year. FY22 saw $51.9 billion in foreign arms sales.
Pax Alum 1st Native Woman to Fly Into Space
NAS Patuxent River alum Nicole Mann will be the first Native woman to fly into space this fall. She is scheduled to be aboard the SpaceX Crew-5 mission to go to the International Space Station.
Gilday: Larger Fleet Means Larger Share of the Budget
With more ships needed in more places around the world, the US Navy needs a larger fleet and a larger share of the defense budget, says Chief of Naval Operations ADM Mike Gilday. That would mean changing the historical split of funding among the services.
Navy Opens Pier to Help Shipping Delays
With Southern California seaports overburdened by commercial ships and supply-driven shipping delays, the Navy will open allow cargo-carrying vessels to use a military wharf at Port Hueneme, the only port between San Francisco and Los Angeles able to handle the commercial vessels.
Space Force: World’s 1st Digital Military Service
The head of the newest US service branch, the US Space Forces, says it is on its way to becoming the first fully digital military service in the world.
Navy Challenges: China, Culture, Climate, COVID
China, culture, climate, and COVID. These are the four main challenges facing the US Navy, says NavSec Carlos Del Toro in his statement to the fleet.
Del Toro Confirmed As Next NavSec
Carlos Del Toro, a retired Navy commander and businessman, was confirmed over the weekend as the 78th secretary of the US Navy and the second Hispanic American to lead the department.
HAC OKs $706B Military Budget
The House Appropriations Committee approved a $706 billion defense spending bill for fiscal 2022 with a 33-23 party line vote. Republicans object that the $10 billion increase is insufficient to counter threats from China and around the globe.
