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Business Insider
10-07-2025
- Business
- Business Insider
NATO is stepping up its anti-submarine warfare game — this flying hunter is key, top admiral says
NATO forces have seen noticeable improvements in anti-submarine operations in recent years, due in part to investments in more capable technology and surveillance platforms, a top US admiral told Business Insider on Wednesday. Adm. Stuart Munsch, the commander of US Naval Forces Europe-Africa, said that NATO has become increasingly involved and proficient in anti-submarine missions in the Atlantic Ocean and in the High North region. "They're to be applauded for their efforts," Munsch told BI during a phone interview from Iceland, where a US nuclear-powered submarine just made a historic first port visit. "That is one thing that has changed — I would say quite noticeably — over time." The US and its NATO allies are increasingly concerned about Russia's growing military activity, including its underwater presence, around the North Atlantic and Arctic regions. Western officials in recent years have drawn attention to Russia's submarine activity around the European continent, making it critical that NATO has the appropriate tools and systems to track these vessels and counter them if needed. Munsch said anti-submarine warfare is one of the hardest missions to execute in naval operations. The tasks are highly complex, personnel involved need to be highly proficient in the systems, and the technology must be tough and resilient to work effectively in the undersea environment. Russia has very capable submarines, such as the Yasen-class submarines, that are very difficult to track, making missions to keep tabs on their boats even more challenging. These assets represent real threats to NATO, so the alliance monitors the subs closely. "With the purchase of new ships and aircraft, and equipment, the technology has gotten progressively better among allies, and then bringing that all together with exercises," Munsch said. "So, in the realm of naval aviation, it supports anti-submarine warfare." Munsch specifically singled out an uptick in the procurement of the P-8 Poseidon by several NATO allies. The plane is a highly capable multi-mission maritime patrol aircraft made by American aerospace company Boeing and developed for the US Navy to replace the P-3 Orion. The P-8, a derivative of the civilian 737-800, can carry out anti-submarine warfare, maritime patrol, and reconnaissance missions. It is equipped with advanced technology, such as a synthetic aperture radar, an infrared sensor turret, and heightened acoustic capabilities. The aircraft carries sonobuoys and can also be armed with torpedoes and anti-ship missiles. In addition to the US, which flies dozens of P-8s, the UK, Norway, and Germany all collectively operate a handful of these aircraft. Canada, another ally, will join them in the coming years. NATO countries operating the P-8 also share their facilities, and even though Iceland doesn't fly the aircraft, the country allows the alliance to use its bases for deployments and maintenance, making it easier for operators to work together, Munsch said. Last year, for instance, Germany and the UK signed a key defense pact that will see Berlin periodically operate its P-8s out of a Royal Air Force base in Scotland, from which they will conduct patrols over the North Atlantic. Munsch said that the ability for the US to collaborate with NATO allies on high-end naval warfare "has gone up significantly" compared to that of previous years, and that is a major advantage. He said these efforts are not necessarily a reflection of anything new. Russia has been engaged in aggressive behavior for years now, especially from the onset of its initial 2014 invasion of Ukraine, and procuring large platforms like aircraft is a yearslong process. But it is coming together more noticeably to boost capability. Amid a surge in defense spending since Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022, NATO militaries have also made more recent purchases directly driven by war, such as uncrewed and autonomous systems. The P-8s are just one of many tools that the US and NATO militaries have to monitor Russia's submarine force, one of the largest fleets in the world, with an estimated 64 active vessels capable of carrying powerful cruise and ballistic missiles. Western forces can also track Russia with their own submarines, as well as helicopters and patrol vessels, which the UK demonstrated just a few days ago. Meanwhile, drones are increasingly proving capable of underwater surveillance missions. "The Russians recognize that much of their status and influence in the world stems from their military activity," Munsch said, adding that Moscow's submarine force is among its greatest strengths. When Russia "had significant budget problems after the Cold War, among the things that they did focus on maintaining was their ability to operate in the undersea environment," Munsch said. That, he added, is partly "why the United States Navy maintained our proficiency and our operations the way that we did, to make sure that we were always in a position that we could counter whatever Russia might be doing."
Daily Record
24-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
Boeing celebrate Reserves Day with nod to Ayrshire pilot
Mark Faulds from Fenwick is both a reservist in the RAF and a lead pilot instructor for Boeing An Ayrshire pilot has been recognised by a global aircraft manufacturer on Reserves Day. Mark Faulds from Fenwick has been thanked for his work as a reservist in the RAF by American aircraft giant Boeing. Reserves Day takes place today, June 25, and aims to celebrate the members of the armed forces who balance their civilian life with a military career. Lead pilot instructor for the Boeing P-8 Poseidon, Mark has over 30 years experience in his industry and has been a serving member of the armed forces since 1990. He first joined the RAF 35 years ago and worked his way up to become the air force's chief flying instructor. Mark later spent time in the US where he taught on the United States Navy's P-8 fleet before flying the first P-8 across the Atlantic to Scotland in 2020. Now based at Lossiemouth, Mark continues to teach on the aircraft while balances his civilian responsibilities with his commitment to the RAF Reserves. Mark said: 'One of the most notable highlights of my career was flying the UK's first P-8 aircraft back into the country. 'It was a significant milestone for the RAF, and I take great pride in being part of that moment.' The P-8 is equipped with cutting-edge technology to support evolving mission needs and plays a crucial role in monitoring the UK and Europe's maritime and national security. While employed by Boeing as lead pilot instructor, Mark continues to commit his spare time to the RAF Reserves, dedicating up to 10 days a year to reservist service. This allows him to fly regularly while providing essential training to new Poseidon pilots, ensuring they are well-prepared to operate one of the most advanced maritime patrol aircraft in the world. Steve Burnell, managing director of Boeing Defence UK, said: 'His dedication to both Boeing and the RAF exemplifies the values of service, leadership and excellence we look for in our valued teammates. 'We are proud to celebrate his contributions and the impact he has had on both military and civilian aviation.'
Axios
18-06-2025
- Business
- Axios
Northrop eyes Norway as it works on Tritons for Australia
Northrop Grumman is bullish on the international appeal of its MQ-4C Triton, with Norway among the potential buyers of the massive maritime drone. Why it matters: Militaries want more smart machinery, and governments want more dirt on their neighbors. Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) strapped with specialty sensors can satisfy both cravings. Driving the news: Reporters on June 13 got an intimate look at Tritons housed at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland, home to the Naval Air Systems Command. State of play: Northrop's delivered 20 Tritons to the U.S. Navy. It's sent another three to Australia, and is building a fourth right now in Mississippi. "In the last six months, we've been able to execute 45 flights per month across all three operational orbits," said Capt. Josh Guerre, the persistent maritime unmanned aircraft systems program manager. "You really are supporting concurrent operations, 24/7." Zoom in: Triton can fly around the clock at altitudes greater than 50,000 feet, hoovering up geospatial and signals intelligence. It can also pair with Boeing-made P-8 aircraft, which hunt submarines. Brad Champion, the Triton enterprise director at Northrop, described it as picking "up all the metal on the water." The latest: Both Northrop and General Atomics responded to Norway's ask for long-range drones. "They have a very vast ocean region that they're responsible for," Champion said. "Their economic exclusion zone is very large within the High North, and they are procuring P-8s, so they are set up very well to continue to follow the U.S. Navy doctrine of that manned-unmanned teaming." Champion expects a decision this year. He referred an ask for specifics to Oslo. The other side: C. Mark Brinkley, a spokesperson for General Atomics, told Axios the company has its MQ-9B SeaGuardian in the running.
Korea Herald
31-05-2025
- Politics
- Korea Herald
S. Korea almost absent in Hegseth's speech at Shangri-La Dialogue
The Pentagon chief's speech at an annual defense forum in Singapore used to highlight defense cooperation with South Korea and trilateral efforts with Japan as the United States has sought to leverage the core Asian allies for peace in the face of a provocative North Korea and an assertive China. But South Korea was almost absent in this year's Shangri-La Dialogue speech by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, adding to concerns that the monthslong absence of a fully elected leader in South Korea could have an impact on the bilateral alliance. The speech was delivered as South Korea is set to pick a new president in an election slated for Tuesday. The presidential vote was set up following the April ouster of former President Yoon Suk Yeol over his short-lived martial law declaration in December. Hegseth's speech spelled out security engagements with Japan, the Philippines, Australia, Thailand and India as well as the trilateral partnership between the US, Japan and Australia. But Korea was not mentioned in his narrative of security cooperation with Indo-Pacific allies and partners. He touched on South Korea once, when he announced a defense cooperation project that will enable Korea and New Zealand, which use P-8 maritime aircraft, to repair the plane in the Indo-Pacific rather than relying on a single repair source in the continental U.S. The increasingly worrisome North Korean military quandary was not given much attention in the secretary's speech either, whereas he accentuated threats from China and stressed the need for allies to increase defense spending and serve as "force multipliers" in the midst of threats from Beijing. The secretary's perceived lack of focus on cooperation with South Korea followed a recent Wall Street Journal report that the Pentagon is considering the idea of pulling out around 4,500 troops from the 28,500-strong US Forces Korea (USFK). The Pentagon has dismissed the report as untrue, but speculation continues. A senior US defense official has said that given the US' priority on deterring China, it is "essential" to work with the incoming Seoul government to "modernize" the alliance and "calibrate" US force posture on the Korean Peninsula -- a remark that apparently left open the door for an adjustment to the USFK presence. South Korea was also absent in the secretary's plans for bilateral, trilateral and multilateral talks on the sidelines of the annual forum, as Seoul sent Deputy Defense Minister for Policy Cho Chang-rae to the forum rather than its acting Defense Minister Kim Sun-ho. "My understanding is (the secretary's South Korean) counterpart was not able to be attending the Shangri-La Dialogue. That's why he is not able to do the bilateral meeting with South Korea at this time," a senior US defense official told reporters earlier this week. "But obviously we look forward to working with the incoming South Korean government after the election. I also want to reiterate the US-ROK alliance remains critical to the US interests," he added. ROK stands for South Korea's official name, the Republic of Korea. Though South Korea was rarely seen in official events, its officials made behind-the-scenes diplomatic efforts to maintain engagements with foreign partners, a diplomatic source told Yonhap News Agency. "Still, we have received a due amount of requests from foreign governments for engagements at the forum," the source said. Still, South Koreans appear to have been a bit let down about a lack of attention to Korea in the secretary's remarks. "I felt that it was a bit unfortunate," another source said. Worries about the strength of the alliance in the midst of political uncertainty in Seoul emerged in March as well when Hegseth skipped South Korea in his first trip to the Indo-Pacific, which included stops in Japan and the Philippines. Brushing aside those concerns, Seoul and Washington continued to hold regular defense talks. Early this month, the allies held the Korea-US Integrated Defense Dialogue in Washington, where the two sides agreed to further cooperate to achieve shared security goals on the peninsula and in the Indo-Pacific. The two sides are also expected to hold a meeting of the Nuclear Consultative Group, their key nuclear deterrence body. Observers pin hopes on the full resumption of high-level talks between South Korea and the US once a new government is launched next month. (Yonhap)
Yahoo
26-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Navy identifies sailor who went missing in Guam
The U.S. Navy officially named the sailor who went missing in Guam, a week after his last known appearance. The Navy and U.S. Coast Guard called off the search for Information Systems Technician 2nd Class Gabriel D. Holt on Thursday, having scoured more than 11,000 square nautical miles in the ocean over five days. Holt, who served aboard the USS Nimitz aircraft carrier, has been listed as Duty Status Whereabouts Unknown. Holt was last seen onshore in Guam at 11:57 p.m. on April 18, when the USS Nimitz Carrier Strike Group arrived in port, and was listed as unaccounted for the following day. The Navy, along with local authorities and the U.S. Coast Guard, began a multi-day search for him. 'Our deepest sympathies are with the family, friends, and shipmates of Petty Officer Holt,' Capt. Doug Graber, the USS Nimitz's commander, said in a Navy statement. 'After carefully considering all pertinent factors and available information, we made the extremely difficult decision to suspend the search. This has been an extraordinarily challenging case, and the decision to suspend active efforts was not made lightly. We are sincerely grateful for the support and coordination from all units and partners who assisted in searching.' Holt was officially named by the Navy a day after the search was called off and his next of kin was notified. The USS Nimitz was at Naval Base Guam for a port visit as part of its deployment to the western Pacific Ocean. The carrier strike group left port on April 21 while continuing the search. U.S. Navy and Coast Guard assets, including crews from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 25, a P-8 maritime patrol plane and the cutter USCGC Oliver Henry, scoured both the coastal area and deeper waters around Guam for any sign of Holt. The Nimitz is currently on what is expected to be its final deployment before decommissioning. Top enlisted leader of Air Force Special Operations Command fired amid investigation The Marine in one of the most famous recruiting commercials is now in Congress 75th Ranger Regiment wins 2025 Best Ranger Competition Medal of Honor recipient Dakota Meyer reenlists in Marine Reserve Air Force pilots get a new way to pee at 30,000 feet
