* CNA says US Navy’s shrinkage at a tipping point [full report, PDF]. USN Commander Henry J. Hendrix argues that the US Navy needs “More [Rickey] Henderson, Less [Barry] Bonds” in its fleet structure, refines the Influence Squadron concept. See also New Wars’ “Dissecting the Influence Squadron” – Part 1 | Part 2.
* Lexington Institute: “Northrop Backed Into Shipbuilding, And It Can Back Out”
* Frost & Sullivan: The US defense budget has remained stable, despite cuts in RDT&E programs for immature technologies not directly related to existing ground forces operations.
* Pirate Wars: USS Ashland [LSD 48] destroys a Somali pirate skiff, after taking small arms fire. Meanwhile, the ultra-advanced Dutch air defense frigate, HNLMS Tromp [F803], dispenses with EU red tape to rescue a German vessel under national authority.
* India Launches its 3rd Type 15A/ Kolkata Class destroyer, INS Chennai.
* Russia won’t deliver an air defense system? Well, Iran will make its own. Iran’s Mersad air defense will use the Shahin missile based on the 1970s-era US-made Hawk. Associated Press | LA Times | Tehran Times
* Naval Research Lab to build $17.7 million, 50,000-sq.-ft. lab in Washington, DC to develop autonomous systems for the US Navy and USMC.
A Polish Air Force refurbished TU-154M Lux VIP aircraft crashed near Smolensk, killing all on board including the Polish President Lech Kaczynski, top military brass, and other high ranking officials. The aircraft was heading in for services commemorating the victims of the 1940 Katyn Massacre, where the Soviets murdered over 15,000 Polish officers and leaders, in an attempt to decapitate the country’s potential post-war leadership. Russian Prime Minister Putin has said he is taking personal charge of the investigation (q.v. initial transcript) – a consistent impulse that may not be the best way to calm natural suspicions.