Without fanfare, the fast-attack submarine Helena has slipped silently out of port in San Diego, bound for a classified mission described by the Navy as "testing of submarine operability and war-fighting capability" in the Arctic Ocean. Photo from L.A. TimesNavy Strategy Changing Along With Arctic Conditions -- The Day
Predictions of big melt shift focus to shipping, oil, submarines' role
Newport, R.I. - Rapidly diminishing sea ice means more ships than ever before will be able to travel through the Arctic, so the Navy is going to use an “Arctic road map” to navigate the new national security challenge.
The Navy's Task Force Climate Change will give Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Gary Roughead the road map next week, describing the changing conditions in the Arctic and what it means for future Navy operations.
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MILITARY AND INTELLIGENCE NEWS BRIEFS
UTC eyes 30 percent F-35 fighter engine cost drop -- Reuters
Italy Could Scale Back F-35 Facility -- Aviation Week
Unanswered questions for the F-35 and Israel -- ELP Defens(c)e
China army parade may give clue to new missiles -- Reuters
South Korea Negative on Joining US Missile Shield -- Korea Times
IAF strength just one-third of China's: IAF chief -- Times Of India
Mullen Wants Females on Subs -- Defense Tech
Aboard the 'INS Dolphin' -- Jerusalem Post
Weapons not included in UK Trident pledge -- Scotsman
NNSA Announces Equivalent of More Than 15,000 Nuclear Weapons of Russian HEU Eliminated -- NNSA
Porky defense bill headed for Senate vote -- Washington Examiner opinion