Tag: China

In an effort to make unmanned subs more affordable, useful and lethal to operate, the U.S. Navy has awarded Boeing a contract worth $274.4 million. The contract requires Boeing to build up to five Orca extra-large unmanned undersea vehicles (XLUUV). Orca is based on the Echo Voyager test bed, a 15.5-meter long sub that can […]

In an attempt to create an elite force of close-combat war-fighters, the military is pondering a revolutionary set of proposals that would include huge monetary bonuses, a significant base salary, and a minimum age of 26-years-old. The Close Combat Lethality Task Force (CCLTF), which was launched by Gen. James Mattis during his tenure as Secretary […]

The Chinese telecom giant Huawei has always insisted it is its own corporate entity, operating outside the purview of China’s Communist government. In a recent CBS interview, the company’s CEO was asked if his company ever provided information to the Chinese government. “It is not possible because across our entire organization, we’ve stressed once and […]

Although one of the five core special forces truths is that humans are more important than hardware, it’s always better to have top-shelf equipment. Navy SEALs, Green Berets, and Marine Raiders are all elite in their training and capabilities, but better gear makes them even more effective on the battlefield. The American technological preponderance of […]

One of the big takeaways from the disastrous 1980 attempt to rescue American hostages held in Iran was that U.S. special operations units needed to work in a joint environment. Units need to coordinate and train together to develop their capabilities and ensure they function smoothly when deployed to combat. This is a lesson that […]

As the Department of Defense prepares for future conflicts and contingencies, its elite units are following suit. In an interview with Special Forces Outlook magazine, Rear Adm. Collin Green, commander of Naval Special Warfare Command (NSWC), outlined the future of the SEAL Teams and how they are preparing to combat future threats. The top Navy […]

Are the U.S. government and military indirectly supporting war crimes? Yes, according to the non-profit Human Rights Watch (HRW). Recently, the HRW released a report documenting war crimes committed by the Egyptian military and the Islamic State (ISIS) in North Sinai. The report accuses both warring parties of committing crimes against humanity. Although this is […]

Acting Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan was in Indonesia last week and met with officials in an attempt to normalize military-to-military relations between our nations. A particular area of contention is Indonesia’s Special Forces unit called Kopassus, which is accused of human rights abuses. Due to the Leahy Amendment, U.S. military forces cannot work with […]

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Carl Lawrence, a scout sniper with Weapons Company, Battalion Landing Team 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), sights in behind a .50-caliber Special Applications Scoped Rifle aboard the San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship USS John P. Murtha (LPD 26). The Marines and sailors of the […]

During the 2019 Special Operations Forces Industry Conference (SOFIC) in Tampa, Florida, General Richard Clark, the commander of the U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM), offered an insight on the priorities and goals of America’s special operations forces (SOF). “Today, SOCOM is focused squarely on the implementation of the national defense strategy,” he said during an […]

Renata Dwan, the director of the United Nation’s Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR),  sounded the alarm that the world has never been closer to a nuclear war since the end of World War II. Dwan cited nuclear weapon modernization programs currently underway in many nuclear-capable countries and blossoming arms races between countries such as the […]

As fish stocks in the South China Sea continue to wane, China is increasing its illegal fishing activity off the coast of Colombia. Officials observing maritime activity in the waters near Malpelo Island report an increase of foreign-flagged vessels taking advantage of the plentiful fishing in Colombia’s reserved zone. Nearly 250 foreign ships were spotted […]