Navy Under Secretary Thomas Modly told reporters that unmanned systems will be a "huge priority" as the service expands, using the defense budget increases signed into law in recent weeks, along with the goal of a 355 ship force. Modly, just back from visiting Guam, Micronesia and other Pacific islands, said all asked for more port visits and help with their limited navies and coast guards. The ongoing expansion of China's blue water force was another topic of discussion and concern during the trip.
"The Navy and Marine Corps already are fielding a large number of unmanned air and ground vehicles and surface and subsurface vessels, and are developing larger and more capable systems. The Navy recently awarded a contract to Boeing to produce the MQ-25 Stingray, a carrier-based unmanned aerial refueling jet, and the Marines want a large Group 5 unmanned aerial vehicle that can operate from amphibious ships.
Modly said a new Navy force structure plan should go to Chief of Naval Operations Adm. John Richardson and Navy Secretary Richard Spencer next month and probably would be released early next year."
EIN News Desk: U.S. Could Help Pacific Allies Build Capabilities, Navy Undersecretary Says
http://www.einnews.com/pr_news/464030572/u-s-could-help-pacific-allies-build-capabilities-nav
National Defense Magazine: New Force Structure Assessment to Be Delivered to Navy
Leadership Soon http://www.nationaldefensemagazine.org/articles/2018/10/4/navy-force-structure-assessment-to-
be-delivered-to-leadership-soon
SeaPower Magazine: Modly: Unmanned Systems ‘Huge Priority’ in Building a Bigger Fleet
http://seapowermagazine.org/stories/20181004-Modly.html
Inside Defense: Navy official: Service must ramp up enforcement of data protection at subcontractor level
Shephard Media:Unmanned systems to get more attention in next US Navy force study
https://www.shephardmedia.com/news/imps-news/unmanned-systems-get-more-attention-next-us-navy-f/
Defense Daily: Navy Leadership To See Draft FSA Next Month, Unmanned A Priority
Breaking Defense: Pence, DoD Roll Out Harder Line on China, Russia
https://breakingdefense.com/2018/10/pence-dod-rolling-out-harder-line-on-china-russia/
DoD News: U.S. Could Help Pacific Allies Build
