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Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Top House Democrat grills Hegseth on submarine spending plans: 'Give us the details'
Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn., confronted Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth during a heated House Appropriations Committee hearing Tuesday over years-long lags in the nation's shipbuilding capacity. The top Appropriations Democrat accused the Defense Department (DOD) of failing to present a clear, transparent plan to ramp up production at a time when China's shipbuilding capabilities are estimated to be 230 times greater than the U.S.'s. She said the Biden administration had been similarly opaque. DeLauro zeroed in on what she characterized as a troubling shortfall between the Navy's current production capacity and future strategic needs. "Do you know where our submarine production currently stands and whether current production is sufficient to bridge the gap between current fleet size and projected need?" she asked. Hegseth Defends National Guard La Deployments, Says Ice Agents Must Be Protected "There is a gap," Hegseth admitted, "but we believe we are closing it." Read On The Fox News App But DeLauro wasn't satisfied, demanding detailed data to back up that claim. "We do not have any information or data that can substantiate what you're saying," she shot back. "Give us the details." "We've had difficulty with the prior administration, and I don't mind calling them out. What is your plan for the future?" Asked what the status is of the department's investment in submarine programs, Hegseth boasted of a 14% increase in funding in the fiscal year 2026 budget request for the Columbia-class nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines and a "substantial increase" in the Virginia-class fast-attack submarines as well. But the congresswoman raised concerns about reports that the Pentagon plans to shift $3.1 billion in funding for the Columbia-class submarine program from FY2026 to FY2027 and FY2028. "This creates a serious problem for industry in the short term and hampers shipbuilders' ability to reach an adequate production rate," DeLauro warned. "Have you been in contact with Electric Boat or Huntington Ingalls about your plans?" Hegseth pushed back, saying top Pentagon officials were in regular communication with shipyards. "Almost every day," he said. "We're actively engaged… to make sure their needs are being met and their shortfalls are being addressed so we can close that gap in real time." DeLauro pointed to a missed deadline for placing key submarine contracts authorized under the December continuing resolution. Congress had approved $5.7 billion for two Block IV and one Block V Virginia-class submarines, with the understanding that contracts would be in place by February 2025. The Defense Department did not finalize the contracts until April 30. "We have made a serious investment," DeLauro said. "Now we want to know where that is going and what your plan is." Move Over, Black Hawk: Army Unveils The Mv-75, Tiltrotor Aircraft To Replace Iconic Assault Chopper When pressed for specifics, Hegseth thanked the committee for its flexibility and acknowledged prior mismanagement under previous administrations. But DeLauro cut him off. "I want your plan," she said. "Can we get that in writing and on paper? Because we don't have anything today. We have zip, nada." Hegseth promised to provide the committee with written details of the department's submarine production plan. "We have the details, and we will provide them," he said. DeLauro insisted she wanted the information before the committee's markup later the same day. The U.S. Navy's shipbuilding capacity has been on the decline since the Cold War. In the 1980s, the U.S. aimed for a 600-ship fleet; today, it struggles to maintain 300 operational vessels. The Navy currently operates under 50 attack submarines, well below the long-term requirement of 66 boats, as outlined by recent Navy force structure assessments. Shipyards like Electric Boat (General Dynamics) in Connecticut and Huntington Ingalls Industries in Virginia and Mississippi are the primary builders of nuclear submarines—but both are operating near maximum capacity and face major workforce and supply chain challenges. Shipbuilders report significant difficulties in hiring, training and retaining welders, pipefitters, engineers and designers. Shipbuilding's highly specialized supply chain was hit especially hard by the Covid-19 pandemic and has been slow to article source: Top House Democrat grills Hegseth on submarine spending plans: 'Give us the details'
Newsweek
03-06-2025
- Politics
- Newsweek
US Announces 'Game Changer' Missile Upgrade to Rival China
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The United States is set to equip its destroyers with the anti-ship variant of the combat-proven Tomahawk long-range cruise missile by late September to counter China's naval buildup. In a statement to Newsweek, Chip Whipkey, the Tomahawk deputy program manager, said the Maritime Strike Tomahawk (MST) would be ready for deployment on U.S. destroyers by the end of fiscal year 2025, which runs from October 1, 2024, to September 30, 2025. Newsweek has contacted the Chinese Defense Ministry for comment by email. Why It Matters The Tomahawk cruise missile—capable of striking targets from up to 1,000 miles away—is deployed on U.S. Navy ships and submarines. According to its manufacturer, Raytheon, U.S. and allied militaries have used this precision weapon for combat more than 2,350 times. The Chinese navy—the world's largest by hull count—enables Beijing to expand its military reach and presence. In addition to deploying the MST, the U.S. is arming its allies and partners in the western Pacific Ocean with various anti-ship missiles. A Tomahawk cruise missile being launched aboard the United States Navy destroyer USS Curtis Wilbur during a live-fire demonstration in the Philippine Sea on May 27, 2019. A Tomahawk cruise missile being launched aboard the United States Navy destroyer USS Curtis Wilbur during a live-fire demonstration in the Philippine Sea on May 27, 2019. Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Taylor DiMartino/U.S. Navy What To Know Bloomberg first reported the deployment schedule of the MST on Saturday, citing Admiral Daryl Caudle, the commander of the U.S. Fleet Forces Command. The U.S. Navy is planning to acquire up to 1,302 "game changer" Tomahawk anti-ship variants, the report said. "MST early operational capability is planned for the end of FY25," Whipkey confirmed to Newsweek, adding that, subject to ship testing availability, the missile would be available for deployment on nuclear-powered attack submarines in the third quarter of the next fiscal year. There are two variants of the Tomahawk in service: the Block IV and Block V. Both are designed for land-attack operations. The Block V is a recertified and modernized Block IV missile with upgraded navigation and communication systems, according to Raytheon. In a 2021 news release, the U.S. Navy announced that it had received the first Tomahawk missile configured to Block V, noting that future Block V capabilities would build upon the Block IV upgrade and include the MST variant, known as Block Va. Meanwhile, Block Vb—a sister variant of Block Va—is also expected to be introduced in the future, armed with a warhead capable of striking "more diverse land targets." In 2015, the Tomahawk showcased its capability to hit a moving target at sea during a test near San Nicolas Island in California. The missile—a Block IV variant—was launched from a destroyer and changed course in flight after receiving position updates of the target. A Tomahawk cruise missile hitting a moving maritime target after being launched from the United States Navy destroyer USS Kidd near San Nicolas Island in California on January 27, 2015. A Tomahawk cruise missile hitting a moving maritime target after being launched from the United States Navy destroyer USS Kidd near San Nicolas Island in California on January 27, 2015. U.S. Navy What People Are Saying The U.S. Naval Air Systems Command said on its website: "Tomahawk cruise missiles are designed to fly at extremely low altitudes at high subsonic speeds, and are piloted over an evasive route by several mission tailored guidance systems." Raytheon, a U.S. defense contractor, said on its website: "The Tomahawk cruise missile is a precision weapon that launches from ships, submarines, and ground launchers and can strike targets precisely from 1,000 miles away, even in heavily defended airspace." What Happens Next It remains to be seen whether U.S. warships forward-deployed in the western Pacific Ocean, including those stationed in Japan, will be the first to receive the new Tomahawk missile.
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
HII is Awarded Contract Modification for Construction of Two Additional Block V Virginia-class Submarines
NEWPORT NEWS, Va., April 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- HII (NYSE: HII) announced today that the Virginia-class shipbuilding team, which includes the company's Newport News Shipbuilding (NNS) division, has been awarded a contract modification in support of construction of two fiscal year 2024 Block V submarines. The contract modification, to NNS and teaming partner General Dynamics Electric Boat, authorizes construction of the 11th and 12th fast-attack submarines of the Block V contract. 'We appreciate the teamwork that resulted in these critical national security assets being put under contract,' said Jason Ward, NNS vice president of submarine construction. 'We understand the advantage Virginia-class submarines bring to the sailors who operate them, and our shipbuilders are working with diligence to deliver them to the fleet.' NNS and GDEB have built and delivered 24 Virginia-class submarines to date.A photo accompanying this release is available at: About HII HII is a global, all-domain defense provider. HII's mission is to deliver the world's most powerful ships and all-domain solutions in service of the nation, creating the advantage for our customers to protect peace and freedom around the world. As the nation's largest military shipbuilder, and with a more than 135-year history of advancing U.S. national security, HII delivers critical capabilities extending from ships to unmanned systems, cyber, ISR, AI/ML and synthetic training. Headquartered in Virginia, HII's workforce is 44,000 strong. For more information, visit: HII on the web: HII on Facebook: HII on X: HII on Instagram: Contact: Todd 688-3220 A photo accompanying this announcement is available at in to access your portfolio
