Wednesday, October 29, 2025
Abby Shepherd is a Navy reporter. Before joining Inside Defense in November 2023, she was an intern with Politico's E&E News and a city government reporter with the Eudora Times in Kansas. She graduated from the University of Kansas in May 2023, with degrees in journalism and political science.
Senators expressed bipartisan support today for a rebuild of the domestic commercial shipbuilding industry -- a goal that could be supported by the SHIPS Act, currently working its way through the Senate Commerce Committee.
A request for information on the development of software solutions for the Navy’s Collaborative Integrated Air and Missile Defense is now on hold due to the ongoing government shutdown, according to a notice Thursday.
SHIPS Act co-sponsor Sen. Todd Young (R-IN) expects movement on the shipbuilding legislation soon but acknowledged on Wednesday there are difficulties facing the bill due to the ongoing government shutdown.
Yet another Navy industry day has been postponed due to the ongoing government shutdown -- now the second-longest in U.S. history.
Sen. Mark Kelly (D-AZ) today advocated for the nominee to head the Maritime Administration -- Stephen Carmel, a sailor with experience in the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy and several executive positions at shipping company Maersk Line, Limited.
The Navy has awarded Lockheed Martin a $233 million contract for the delivery of Infrared Search and Track Block II systems, the company announced today.
The Navy has awarded a contract to General Atomics Aeronautical Systems for the design of a collaborative combat aircraft, according to a company announcement today.
The Navy has postponed its upcoming industry day for a new missile program due to the ongoing government shutdown.
A new bill aims to protect pay for public shipyard workers, amid an ongoing government shutdown and subsequent uncertainty surrounding pay for the civilian and military workforce.
Lawmakers and national security experts expressed concerns Tuesday over the Trump administration's alleged withholding of military aid to Taiwan, amidst fears of a potential Chinese invasion in the coming years.
Lawmakers today expressed concerns over a potential shift in the prioritization of countering China in the impending National Defense Strategy, which has yet to be released, and raised worries on the implications of the AUKUS review, which was confirmed today to be released this fall.
The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division is seeking information on the design, engineering, fabrication and testing of components and systems for Defense Department vehicles and mobility platforms including ground mobility vehicles and Joint Light Tactical Vehicles -- according to a recent government notice.
The Senate confirmed former Virginia Senate candidate and retired Navy Capt. Hung Cao as Navy under secretary today, by a 52-45 vote.
As the U.S. approaches the looming 2027 deadline when some predict China may be capable of invading Taiwan, military leaders and lawmakers appear united in countering this potential threat -- with the White House proposing a roughly $1 trillion defense budget.
The Navy plans to hold an industry day for a new missile program -- the Naval Modular Missile -- this fall, introducing industry to a next-generation initiative that will focus on multimission flexibility, enhanced capacity and a modular open architecture.
Raytheon has completed a major review of a new Advanced Electronic Warfare prototype for the Navy's F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, that comes as the Navy prepares to test prototype systems in fiscal year 2026.
The Navy is seeking submissions for participation in the 2026 Silent Swarm experiment -- a series of events focusing on early development Electromagnetic Spectrum Operations capabilities that can be utilized on attritable, multidomain unmanned systems, according to a recent posting.
The Defense Innovation Unit today announced the formation of a new group that will evaluate drone platforms as part of the Blue UAS initiative.
While it may take time, it's important that the Navy and industry ensure pay for shipbuilders remains competitive to recruit a workforce capable of boosting production, a Navy official said Thursday. (UPDATED)
The Navy is seeking potential sources capable of crafting an unmanned aircraft system designed to resupply Marines during expeditionary advanced base operations and distributed maritime operations -- challenging logistical situations where resupply may prove more difficult due to risks to manned aircraft.