Rapid Fire 2010-04-12: Sustainable Shipbuilding?

* 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 […]