With money tight and resources increasingly stretched thin, the submarine force continues to consider a merger of the attack and guided-missile concepts, an option that would retain the impressive missile-carrying and special operations abilities of the four guided-missile submarines, which include Michigan, shown above. Lt. Ed Early / NavySubs May Serve Attack, Guided-Missile Functions -- Navy Times
In only eight years, the Navy will need to begin building a new class of ballistic-missile submarines. Not long after that, in the mid-2020s, a new attack submarine class is scheduled to be developed. And by the back half of the 2020s, the fleet’s four guided-missile submarines will be worn out and need replacement — and with them will go nearly two-thirds of the sub fleet’s cruise-missile tubes.
With money tight and resources increasingly stretched thin, the submarine force continues to consider a merger of the attack and guided-missile concepts, an option that would retain the impressive missile-carrying and special operations abilities of the four SSGNs, only spread out over as many as 20 new attack subs.
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MILITARY AND INTELLIGENCE NEWS BRIEFS
Chinese succession highlights role of military in pushing more assertive agenda -- Washington Post/AP
Japan: Record number of scrambles against Chinese aircraft -- Asahi
Jets, Submarines Lead Korea Push to Triple Defense Exports -- Bloomberg
Australia: Collins Class submarines most expensive ever to go to sea -- Herald Sun
Canadian military cancels planned weapons purchase -- Vancouver Sun/Postmedia News
Iran, Saudi Arabia Tensions Spur Fears of a Proxy War -- Wall Street Journal
Russia to sign contract for the two other Mistrals In 2012 -- Navy Recognition
Russian 'Stealth Destroyer' Just a Sales Gimmick? -- FOX News
US, Philippine Marines Begin Drills Near Spratlys -- New York Times
US warship visits Georgia despite Russia anger -- AFP
Kyrgyzstan Open to U.S. Access to Manas Air Base After 2014 -- Bloomberg Businessweek
Ugandan prez: Call them ‘personnel,’ not ‘troops’ -- DoD Buzz
Drone pilots to come from similar platforms -- Navy Times
Afghanistan: The lost platoon -- News Tribune
Air Force Shoots Down Investigation Into Deadly Crash -- Danger Room
Information Warfare: All Your UAVs Are Belong To Us -- Strategy Page
Military to deploy more robots -- North West Ohio
Military robots offer protective solution for troops -- USA Today
Russia to sign contract for the two other Mistrals In 2012 -- Navy Recognition
Russian 'Stealth Destroyer' Just a Sales Gimmick? -- FOX News
US, Philippine Marines Begin Drills Near Spratlys -- New York Times
US warship visits Georgia despite Russia anger -- AFP
Kyrgyzstan Open to U.S. Access to Manas Air Base After 2014 -- Bloomberg Businessweek
Ugandan prez: Call them ‘personnel,’ not ‘troops’ -- DoD Buzz
Drone pilots to come from similar platforms -- Navy Times
Afghanistan: The lost platoon -- News Tribune
Air Force Shoots Down Investigation Into Deadly Crash -- Danger Room
Information Warfare: All Your UAVs Are Belong To Us -- Strategy Page
Military to deploy more robots -- North West Ohio
Military robots offer protective solution for troops -- USA Today
McKeon: Tax hike is last resort to fund defense -- Navy Times
OS2011 Summit: Leaders challenge gay troops to come out, be role models -- Stras and Stripes
Gingrich slams Obama over national security -- Washington Times
Less Defense Spending Drives Big Changes -- Aviation Week
Unfounded drone fears -- Michael W. Lewis, L.A. Times
Russian 'Stealth Destroyer' Just a Sales Gimmick? -- FOX News
US, Philippine Marines Begin Drills Near Spratlys -- New York Times
US warship visits Georgia despite Russia anger -- AFP
Kyrgyzstan Open to U.S. Access to Manas Air Base After 2014 -- Bloomberg Businessweek
Ugandan prez: Call them ‘personnel,’ not ‘troops’ -- DoD Buzz
Drone pilots to come from similar platforms -- Navy Times
Afghanistan: The lost platoon -- News Tribune
Air Force Shoots Down Investigation Into Deadly Crash -- Danger Room
Information Warfare: All Your UAVs Are Belong To Us -- Strategy Page
Military to deploy more robots -- North West Ohio
Military robots offer protective solution for troops -- USA Today
McKeon: Tax hike is last resort to fund defense -- Navy Times
OS2011 Summit: Leaders challenge gay troops to come out, be role models -- Stras and Stripes
Gingrich slams Obama over national security -- Washington Times
Less Defense Spending Drives Big Changes -- Aviation Week
Unfounded drone fears -- Michael W. Lewis, L.A. Times