Navy Archives

Military Hardware: Tanks, Bombers, Submarines and More

The U.S. Navy’s Last Line of Defense Is an Autonomous Gun That Thinks for Itself — and the Fleet Nicknamed It ‘R2-D2’

Summary and Key Points: It looks almost comical — a squat white dome sailors nicknamed “R2-D2.” But the Phalanx is one of the deadliest...

Steve BalestrieriJune 3, 2026

NRL is currently working with Naval Sea Systems Command, Naval Systems Engineering Directorate, Ship Integrity & Performance Engineering (SEA 05P) to transition the new pigment combination into a military specification. The most recent vessel to receive it was USS George Washington (CVN 73).

Military Hardware: Tanks, Bombers, Submarines and More

Yes, America Really Built Flying Aircraft Carriers — Giant Airships That Launched and Caught Fighter Planes in Mid-Air

Summary and Key Points: It sounds invented, but it actually flew. In the 1930s, the U.S. Navy built two enormous airships — the Akron...

Brent M. EastwoodJune 3, 2026

A-4 Skyhawk National Security Journal Museum Visit

Military Hardware: Tanks, Bombers, Submarines and More

It Was Small Enough to Earn the Nickname ‘Tinker Toy’ — Yet the A-4 Skyhawk Set a World Speed Record and Became Vietnam’s Workhorse

Summary and Key Points: It was so small they nicknamed it the “Tinker Toy.” But the A-4 Skyhawk (see our original photos below) would...

Brent M. EastwoodJune 3, 2026

Military Hardware: Tanks, Bombers, Submarines and More

One of the Smallest Nuclear Submarines Ever Built Beat a U.S. Navy Aircraft Carrier’s Defenses — and ‘Sank’ the Roosevelt

Summary and Key Points: On paper, it shouldn’t have stood a chance. France’s Rubis-class is among the smallest nuclear attack submarines ever built —...

Isaac SeitzJune 3, 2026

Military Hardware: Tanks, Bombers, Submarines and More

The F-14 Tomcat from Top Gun Could Have Had an Even Deadlier Successor — and the U.S. Navy Said No

Summary and Key Points: Top Gun: Maverick reminded the world why the F-14 Tomcat is the most beloved fighter the Navy ever flew. What...

Christian OrrJune 3, 2026

The US Navy's troubled Zumwalt-class destroyers are being revitalized with the integration of Conventional Prompt Strike (CPS) hypersonic missiles, transforming them into powerful long-range strike platforms. The original class of 32 ships was cut to just three after its Advanced Gun System failed due to exorbitant costs. Now, these stealthy, $8 billion warships are having their defunct guns replaced with vertical launch tubes for hypersonic weapons. This upgrade will dramatically increase their strike range from a mere 63 miles to over 1,700 miles, making the Zumwalts relevant and formidable assets for deterring adversaries like China in the 21st century.

Military Hardware: Tanks, Bombers, Submarines and More

There’s a Reason the World’s Most Powerful Navy Struggles in the Strait of Hormuz — and It’s the Water Itself

The most powerful navy in history should be able to pry open the world’s most important shipping lane. In practice, it’s far harder than...

Caleb LarsonJune 3, 2026

PHILIPPINE SEA(Feb. 22, 2016) USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) sails through the Philippine Sea. Providing a ready force supporting security and stability in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region, Stennis is operating as part of the Great Green Fleet on a regularly scheduled 7th Fleet deployment. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Cole C. Pielop/Released).

Military Hardware: Tanks, Bombers, Submarines and More

Iran Built a Cheap Wall of Missiles and Drones Around the Strait of Hormuz — and It’s Keeping the U.S. Navy Out

Summary and Key Points: In 1987, when Iran tried to close the Strait of Hormuz, the U.S. Navy steamed in and broke the blockade....

Brandon WeichertJune 2, 2026

ANDAMAN SEA (Oct. 12, 2012) The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) moves into formation in the Andaman Sea. Ships and aircraft of the George Washington and John C. Stennis carrier strike groups are conducting exercises to increase interoperability, readiness, and the capability to respond quickly to various potential crises in the region, ranging from combat operations to humanitarian assistance. The U.S. Navy is constantly deployed to preserve peace, protect commerce, and deter aggression through forward presence. Join the conversation on social media using #warfighting. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Kenneth Abbate/Released)

Military Hardware: Tanks, Bombers, Submarines and More

Aircraft Carrier USS John C. Stennis Has Been out of Action for 5 Years in an Overhaul That Was Supposed to Take 4 — and the Navy Can’t Spare It

Summary and Key Points: The USS John C. Stennis entered its mid-life Refueling and Complex Overhaul in May 2021, and is expected back with...

Isaac SeitzJune 2, 2026

The world's largest aircraft carrier, USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) transits the Mediterranean Sea, August 1, 2025. Gerald R. Ford, a first-in-class nuclear aircraft carrier and deployed flagship of Carrier Strike Group Twelve, is on a scheduled deployment in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations to support the warfighting effectiveness, lethality, and readiness of U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa, and defend U.S., Allied, and partner interests in the region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Brianna Barnett)

Dollars and Sense

If Iran Makes Good on Its Threat to Close the Strait of Hormuz, Gas Could Hit $7 a Gallon in America

Summary and Key Points: Iran just threatened to ‘completely’ close the Strait of Hormuz — the narrow waterway that carries a fifth of the...

Jack BuckbyJune 2, 2026

National Security Journal

All posts tagged "Navy"

Military Hardware: Tanks, Bombers, Submarines and More

The U.S. Navy’s Last Line of Defense Is an Autonomous Gun That Thinks for Itself — and the Fleet Nicknamed It ‘R2-D2’

Military Hardware: Tanks, Bombers, Submarines and More

Yes, America Really Built Flying Aircraft Carriers — Giant Airships That Launched and Caught Fighter Planes in Mid-Air

Military Hardware: Tanks, Bombers, Submarines and More

It Was Small Enough to Earn the Nickname ‘Tinker Toy’ — Yet the A-4 Skyhawk Set a World Speed Record and Became Vietnam’s Workhorse

Military Hardware: Tanks, Bombers, Submarines and More

One of the Smallest Nuclear Submarines Ever Built Beat a U.S. Navy Aircraft Carrier’s Defenses — and ‘Sank’ the Roosevelt

Military Hardware: Tanks, Bombers, Submarines and More

The F-14 Tomcat from Top Gun Could Have Had an Even Deadlier Successor — and the U.S. Navy Said No

Military Hardware: Tanks, Bombers, Submarines and More

There’s a Reason the World’s Most Powerful Navy Struggles in the Strait of Hormuz — and It’s the Water Itself

Military Hardware: Tanks, Bombers, Submarines and More

Iran Built a Cheap Wall of Missiles and Drones Around the Strait of Hormuz — and It’s Keeping the U.S. Navy Out

Military Hardware: Tanks, Bombers, Submarines and More

Aircraft Carrier USS John C. Stennis Has Been out of Action for 5 Years in an Overhaul That Was Supposed to Take 4 — and the Navy Can’t Spare It

Dollars and Sense

If Iran Makes Good on Its Threat to Close the Strait of Hormuz, Gas Could Hit $7 a Gallon in America

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