United StatesCategory

Navy Lasers, Railgun, and Gun-Launched Guided Projectile

Three new ship-based weapons being developed by the Navy—solid state lasers (SSLs), the electromagnetic railgun (EMRG), and the gun-launched guided projectile (GLGP), also known as the hypervelocity projectile (HVP)—could substantially improve the ability of Navy surface ships to defend themselves against surface craft, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and eventually antiship cruise missiles (ASCMs).  Purchase this… Continue Reading Navy Lasers, Railgun, and Gun-Launched Guided Projectile

Navy Ship Names

Names for Navy ships traditionally have been chosen and announced by the Secretary of the Navy, under the direction of the President and in accordance with rules prescribed by Congress. Rules for giving certain types of names to certain types of Navy ships have evolved over time. There have been exceptions to the Navy’s ship-naming… Continue Reading Navy Ship Names

Strategic Assessment 2020: Into a New Era of Great Power Competition

This strategic assessment is both firmly focused on the dynamics of contemporary Great Power competition (GPC) and respectful of past strategic assessments generated by the Institute for National Strategic Studies (INSS) over the course of almost 40 years As an homage to the format of several historical INSS strategic assessments, this one begins with a… Continue Reading Strategic Assessment 2020: Into a New Era of Great Power Competition

Navy Constellation (FFG-62) Class Frigate

The Constellation (FFG-62) class frigate program, previously known as the FFG(X) program, is a Navy program to build a class of 20 guided-missile frigates (FFGs). Congress funded the procurement of the first FFG-62 class ship in FY2020 at a cost of $1,281.2 million (i.e., about $1.3 billion). The Navy’s proposed FY2021 budget requests $1,053.1 million… Continue Reading Navy Constellation (FFG-62) Class Frigate

Navy Virginia (SSN-774) Class Attack Submarine Procurement

The Navy has been procuring Virginia (SSN-774) class nuclear-powered attack submarines(SSNs) since FY1998. The one Virginia-class boat that the Navy is requesting for procurement inFY2021 would be the 33rd boat in the class. The Navy’s FY2020 budget submission had projected that the Navy would request two Virginia-class boats in FY2021.Virginia-class boats scheduled for procurement in… Continue Reading Navy Virginia (SSN-774) Class Attack Submarine Procurement

Navy Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) Program

The Aegis ballistic missile defense (BMD) program, which is carried out by the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) and the Navy, gives Navy Aegis cruisers and destroyers a capability for conducting BMD operations. BMD-capable Aegis ships operate in European waters to defend Europe from potential ballistic missile attacks from countries such as Iran, and in in… Continue Reading Navy Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) Program

Hypersonic Weapons

  The United States has actively pursued the development of hypersonic weapons—maneuvering weapons that fly at speeds of at least Mach 5—as a part of its conventional prompt global strike program since the early 2000s. In recent years, the United States has focused such efforts on developing hypersonic glide vehicles, which are launched from a… Continue Reading Hypersonic Weapons

Military Courts-Martial Under the Military Justice Act of 2016

  The Supreme Court has called military justice a system of justice separate from jurisprudence in the civilian courts. Members of the Armed Forces are subject to rules, orders, proceedings, and consequences different from the rights and obligations of their civilian counterparts. Accordingly, it might be said that discipline is as important as liberty interests… Continue Reading Military Courts-Martial Under the Military Justice Act of 2016

Military Spouse Employment

Congress has constitutional authority over the armed forces, including the power to “to raise and support Armies,” “to provide and maintain a Navy,” and “to make Rules for the Government and Regulation of the land and naval Forces.” Congress is thus responsible for legislating military pay and benefits, establishing personnel policies, and overseeing the implementation… Continue Reading Military Spouse Employment