[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,86,98,110],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},"mediaId",6183277,"mediaKeyId","5098194-0991d5e408a54f96648fa12d6ed087db","parentId",5098194,"title","Subcommittee Probes Navy Plans for Drones, Counter‑UAS and ISR Investments","audioSeconds",231,"startMs",6679000,"endMs",6910000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5098194-0991d5e408a54f96648fa12d6ed087db&start=6679&end=6910","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5098194-0991d5e408a54f96648fa12d6ed087db/thumbnail_6679000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6183277/Subcommittee-Probes-Navy-Plans-for-Drones-CounterUAS-and-ISR-Investments","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6183277-7d8908070902742816a25408fc95766a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771173407&Signature=Jm3XrdkJlng~BL7gU1SKXFFHWhw6AvpEREKFiqByhBaleq2fOWLcAAkA6DYUe3qfL~RwsVXq-YiR8Vu6kqcZXTf2z638NzGi38VIJwwjGfU5sJO02HabQS15otv6xJ7eq8wT5NpeJzBXZDiOMK3wDBeTdcWahINWAgLoNK-gs-kA08pAZsXHTRpNHW~~14jHTNV0eWPJNw0u-U5kPUsud0OfvfzZO-xKPW3dC9VqWEpY4UgA5hRfwqSIj13ZsvytAX5kYBmw1sES0c-kQitjb~eDfW-AfC163sgpUurkwI8TtK~hsaL8JCKVGeRFNiIfbz0nA0Sx~UGJGWixG~EsVQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations","date","2025-06-24T00:00:00Z","article","Lawmakers pressed Navy and Marine Corps leaders on what the services are learning from recent conflicts about unmanned systems, how they are driving investments in offensive and defensive drones, and whether procurement approaches will allow rapid technological refresh.

Why it matters: Cheap, widely available unmanned systems have altered the operating environment; countering swarms and maintaining affordable defenses is now a budgetary and operational priority.

Senators cited the way Ukrainian forces used drones in the Black Sea and how Houthi attacks in the Red Sea have targeted commercial shipping and Navy vessels. Admiral Kilby and Gen. Smith described investments in layered defenses, nontraditional sea denial concepts and hybrid manned‑unmanned force mixes. Kilby said the Navy has been installing lower‑cost systems on certain combatants to avoid expending high‑value interceptors when more economical options suffice.

General Smith described Marine Corps investments in MQ‑9 and other ISR platforms and an “attack drone team” at Quantico pursuing additive manufacturing and 3‑D printing to enable rapid, lower‑cost production of attack drones and munitions. Senators asked about cost curves for counter‑UAS; Navy witnesses said they are focused on lowering cost per engagement and increasing the availability of cheaper defensive options for ships and installations.

Ending: Witnesses said the services are experimenting with a mix of off‑the‑shelf, service‑developed and industrial partnerships to field drones and counter‑UAS more quickly, and promised follow‑up briefings on test results and procurement options.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Subcommittee Hearing: A Review of the President’s Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Request for the Navy","oneSentenceSummary","Senators asked how lessons from Ukraine and Red Sea operations are shaping Navy and Marine Corps investments in drones, counter‑UAS systems and ISR, and raised the need for cheaper defensive options so ships do not exhaust costly interceptors.","taxTitle","Appropriations: Senate Committee, Standing Committees - House & Senate, Congressional Hearings Compilation, Legislative, Federal","taxId",1986,"location","","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6183282,"Senators Press Navy on Barracks, Privatized Housing and Medical Staff Shortages",0,5690000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5098194-0991d5e408a54f96648fa12d6ed087db&start=5690&end=5690","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5098194-0991d5e408a54f96648fa12d6ed087db/thumbnail_5690000.jpg","/articles/6183282/Senators-Press-Navy-on-Barracks-Privatized-Housing-and-Medical-Staff-Shortages","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6183282-739a38d75ddc5485d1fb64ef34f41ab4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771173407&Signature=STp8cSWZ8Z233w-UVpertqtwtGEotl16vS6D-ylb2~-zeqVeN1EuckI~XMiRNI57Faxz9Xjs6QyVE3Y34~enZxmQnR5jiB8tAsrw8B7bhLGjrNoonHjwDeujoU4-~VH40ixzF20mtEQoowqSnX92A3MvB1HybTfQJ5lnRRaFU2h6JSCLK9mPp0rMDBb-j1zT9VP2eAQS~Mdd-BfuJPdOJBVU61MGDlOPGd9v3W7PJavkE6AOZ1jmQX4wajRyhU8rgnHA2YHCM2cxrCDdU3nClW-k4z28TB6w0yTjOPgd0RKKnyfMQmqn431UGHOe1Q4qtq9gKpmhbKL5A6Lp7fCY1g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Multiple senators raised longstanding quality‑of‑life issues for sailors, marines and their families — from substandard barracks to hiring delays for civilian shipyard and base workers and medical staffing gaps at Bremerton’s naval hospital.

Why it matters: Quality of life affects retention, readiness and morale. Senators said poor housing or insufficient medical care undermines recruiting and retention at a time when the services are trying to expand end strength and increase readiness.

Senator Patty Murray told the panel Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Naval Base Kitsap face workforce and medical access problems, and she called attention to nearly 2,000 shipyard workers who had taken deferred resignations amid slow civilian approvals. Secretary Phelan said the department is using existing appointment affidavits and awaiting DoD guidance on any changes to hiring processes. He did not commit to reversing OPM practices but said he would review guidance and work to address hiring delays.

On military housing and barracks, Phelan described inspections and immediate moves where necessary. He said some sailors were moved from uninhabitable barracks to newly available facilities and that the department is conducting a room‑by‑room review. Admiral Kilby said approximately 3% of barracks rooms tested were substandard and those sailors were being moved while refurbishments proceed.

Senators also raised medical staffing at Naval Hospital Bremerton, where the internal medicine department had no physicians for about 2,000 patients; Phelan said he would get details and follow up with concrete steps to fill vacancies.

Ending: The secretary pledged follow‑up briefings and said correcting substandard housing, streamlining civilian hiring and restoring medical staff are departmental priorities tied to retention and readiness.","Lawmakers pressed the Navy and Defense Health Agency over poor barracks and privatized housing, and asked the department to address civilian hiring practices and medical staffing shortfalls at Naval Hospital Bremerton.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6183287,"Navy Outlines Industrial‑Base Review; Senators Seek Faster Shipyard Fixes",139,3435000,3574000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5098194-0991d5e408a54f96648fa12d6ed087db&start=3435&end=3574","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5098194-0991d5e408a54f96648fa12d6ed087db/thumbnail_3435000.jpg","/articles/6183287/Navy-Outlines-IndustrialBase-Review-Senators-Seek-Faster-Shipyard-Fixes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6183287-8fa8174410ffca995a2780474736d0d0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771173407&Signature=UecUnd5brsbp5bBFLx0CbVT1bTEbNz69BvVGTv05jSqP3kJ8u-GMd4ZKz-Bf7G2BxkQmwx6Ga7aRgrLNJuUPAE6P0wLbPsukLFBIYd1C-YVe8iY44IC2jAeeU87GhsRYnP9ZCt3WzDwv-k4boZFge5c7yfnb~DS97L~67Eo3TTVDOa3q9BLK8AKwN2muhTMnbZBRTxll43~XCfnkkB0HpgAtVVDExkMpy0YrxuCk8Tekf0qXGRrrJeG31eyZYdqMKatDwhVVtMO73sAkHeBaYDY6D~JuXbbrQll2BBRZAHFor6qVFkKOYjz0oF68sdliHzvmpWD6StUwiwWogPPB4g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senators used the hearing to press the Navy on concrete steps to restore shipyard capacity and retain skilled trades, including the Shipyard Infrastructure Optimization Program (SIOP) and other public‑yard investments.

Why it matters: Shipyard capacity and a stable workforce underpin the Navy’s ability to raise build and maintenance rates. Committee members said investments must be predictable and tied to clear workforce and contract commitments.

Senator Susan Collins thanked the secretary for visiting Portsmouth Naval Shipyard and Bath Iron Works and raised the importance of the SIOP program, including Dry Dock 1 expansion at Portsmouth to support Virginia‑class maintenance. Admiral Kilby said he believes the Navy is on track to meet operational availability dates tied to SIOP work and described on‑the‑ground improvements.

Senator Jack Reed asked whether the Navy is still considering past private‑sector proposals such as the Shipyard Accountability and Workforce Support (SAWS) initiative; Secretary Phelan said the department is reviewing “all options” to fund the maritime industrial base and submarine programs but that timing for inclusion in FY26 deliberations is uncertain. Phelan said he has visited multiple public and private yards and plans to publish more detailed plans as they are developed.

Committee members also raised the Constellation‑class frigate program at Marinette Shipyard and the porting decision for Everett, Wash.; Secretary Phelan said he is evaluating the frigate’s program fit in the broader force posture and noted the yard and workforce investments already made by the shipbuilder. Phelan emphasized the department cannot build as many ships as are needed with present yard capacity and urged whole‑of‑government solutions and industry cooperation.

Ending: The Navy committed to follow up with detailed plans and metrics on shipyard modernization, workloads and hiring; senators signaled they will press for greater clarity during FY26 appropriations and oversight reviews.","Committee members pressed Navy leaders about the maritime industrial base, public shipyard modernization (SIOP), and workforce retention, seeking timetables and program detail for Portsmouth, Bath, Puget Sound and private yards building frigates and submarines.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6183292,"Committee Presses Navy on Munitions Shortfalls After Middle East Operations",1644,1366000,3010000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5098194-0991d5e408a54f96648fa12d6ed087db&start=1366&end=3010","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5098194-0991d5e408a54f96648fa12d6ed087db/thumbnail_1366000.jpg","/articles/6183292/Committee-Presses-Navy-on-Munitions-Shortfalls-After-Middle-East-Operations","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6183292-3bd8e5174e01dedfdf7b6cddc8d453f9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771173407&Signature=UFq~hI88ZGYf4opi8wlJI1y4mnK0qh2SVqKgdmH-uSxlKxtoiaJknirXKhLtjg7F0REBjnYXv18uU27dZ2ctEI5qnSudJkzrf8UgN1JT4gdMvgcyeoJrSZwq0DxZXh8jo8Xc9us70JaV3YHq4LWiNYLgJdf2dJL2nV8VnXLwOCDp7W8t2dp~AQ0Upg157RsYKbiGpYbCcGe~8FmThmW43NMtaLLnuVxrUo659JRJCnsuFowFTVRMK37ZsrMecuAIFNwbL3nk4xOmyKjXqkYckXBPyQXwaZ7aZk017jOwXxj18sn9WjbG7xJ2zvTLt7a7bzOc9ib7QEEoujFCtM-kgA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senators said recent operations in the Red Sea and elsewhere have placed intense demand on interceptors, long‑range fires and other ordnance and asked whether the FY26 budget and industrial base investments are sufficient to replenish stockpiles and expand production.

Why it matters: Committee members tied munitions availability to near‑term combat operations and deterrence, asking whether the Navy is using the full production capacity of the defense industrial base and what measures the department is taking to drive down the cost per round.

Senator Brian Schatz cited the Red Sea and other regional activity and said the Navy’s FY26 base request leaves the department $8 billion below the FY25 continuing resolution and relies on reconciliation money for additional procurement. He told Secretary Phelan that “failing to address the current shortfalls caused by the CR means that the Navy will not be able to successfully deter the threats posed by China.”

Secretary Phelan acknowledged the urgency for munitions production and said the department is pursuing multiple avenues, including working with traditional prime contractors and new entrants, and will return to the committee with ideas and suggestions. “Fully funding our munitions industrial base is essential both for the near term and the future,” he said.

Admiral Kilby told senators the Navy currently has SM‑3 interceptors but is using them at an “alarming rate” in defense of Israel, and that the missiles are procured by the Missile Defense Agency and then delivered to the fleet. Senators asked whether the Navy is pursuing cost‑efficient terminal air defenses and alternative weapon systems for close‑in counter‑UAS and swarm attacks; the admiral described experiments and interim solutions to avoid using the fleet’s most expensive interceptors when lower‑cost options can be effective.

Ending: Navy leaders said replenishing munitions and expanding the ordnance industrial base is a top priority; they promised follow‑up briefings and options to accelerate industrial capacity and lower cost per shot.","Senators asked Navy leaders how FY26 funding and industrial capacity will address high rates of munitions expenditure in the Red Sea and the Middle East, and whether the budget fully uses production capacity for interceptors and long‑range fires.",{"_33":111,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":112,"_41":113,"_43":114,"_45":115,"_47":116,"_49":117,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6183297,"Senators, Navy and Marines Spar Over Shipbuilding Funding Shifted to Reconciliation",2021,1249000,3270000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5098194-0991d5e408a54f96648fa12d6ed087db&start=1249&end=3270","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5098194-0991d5e408a54f96648fa12d6ed087db/thumbnail_1249000.jpg","/articles/6183297/Senators-Navy-and-Marines-Spar-Over-Shipbuilding-Funding-Shifted-to-Reconciliation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6183297-8f556c18c4d979075ae688a563205bc7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771173407&Signature=oBqgZQTUjPmRuhgrocOkhun93b9PU6frfpn5L-~bHbqU~rUmtZdoHRjSMOv1sxyvg9WMy1t30U5090hR5HtsSBAKNlMT6~w3Hj-LRzp9n92f0AMuQtxad0OVoVyzayGfkoJ5zAmk5iTWqi2uWEHtZDC0fWiekXwwe3DatecDrAsImTSczfGXUWHHmTdx80e7VpmKCLjgo76b3I-iJ5G8EwLCsWbQ2B4XL2Pz5dXKWQKDRkmj16NsLMY1ws1WlnYyRPouf6bZkxpZR5wklVZv88tR~VkZ~OBzBWuOpFgbzh2R-bXNCldX164y~ZHMKcVMnmV-CgwIC~kQVKThJVd7Hg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Chair and senators at a Senate Appropriations Subcommittee hearing pressed Navy leaders on why major shipbuilding investments were moved out of the department's FY26 base request and placed instead in reconciliation, warning that relying on one‑time or extraordinary authorities risks future funding cliffs and undermines the industrial base.

Why it matters: Shipbuilding is central to the Navy's ability to deter China and meet global commitments. Committee members said moving large programs into reconciliation reduces predictable, year‑to‑year funding and complicates long‑term industrial planning.

Senators focused on one specific figure cited at the hearing — about $25 billion in shipbuilding that the committee said the budget had shifted into reconciliation — and asked why those dollars were not included in the FY26 base request. Secretary of the Navy John Phelan, testifying with Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. Eric Smith and Admiral Kilby, said the department expects to need a combination of discretionary and mandatory funding to meet its objectives and described the approach as “one budget, two bills.”

Phelan told the panel: “We need both in order to operate and meet our objectives. Every program we have is extremely important.” He said the department supports a solution that provides consistent additional funding for the Navy and Marine Corps and that both mandatory and discretionary authorities will likely be required.

Committee members pressed program specifics. Senators cited the Navy’s FY26 request for one Virginia‑class submarine (the Navy requested $816.7 million for one hull in the base), and raised that the department had assumed a larger companion appropriation would come from reconciliation. Committee members noted a discrepancy: House and Senate reconciliation text reportedly included $4.6 billion for a Virginia‑class hull while the department’s planning assumed as much as $6.5 billion in reconciliation support. Admiral Kilby said the Navy is working to raise build rates — currently about 1.1 Virginia‑class boats per year — and that the service is not satisfied with present production rates.

Chair members also sought timelines and cautioned that shifting procurement into extraordinary authorities can send mixed signals to allies and industry. Phelan acknowledged ongoing reviews of multinational efforts (including AUKUS) and said the department is evaluating those agreements and programs.

Committee members urged the department to return with clearer, predictable program funding that would sustain shipyard workloads and supply‑chain commitments. Several senators stressed that unpredictable funding hampers the department’s ability to plan workforce retention and supplier commitments.

Ending: Navy leaders said they will continue to brief the committee on reconciliation assumptions, submarine build‑rates and plans to restore industrial capacity; senators said they expect specific, updated budget details during FY26 appropriations work.

","Senators pressed Navy leaders on why roughly $25 billion in shipbuilding was proposed outside the base FY26 budget and placed in reconciliation funds, raising concerns about sustainability, industrial capacity and the ability to sustain a multi‑year shipbuilding rate.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Subcommittee Probes Navy Plans for Drones, Counter‑UAS and ISR Investments

Senators Press Navy on Barracks, Privatized Housing and Medical Staff Shortages

Navy Outlines Industrial‑Base Review; Senators Seek Faster Shipyard Fixes

Committee Presses Navy on Munitions Shortfalls After Middle East Operations

Senators, Navy and Marines Spar Over Shipbuilding Funding Shifted to Reconciliation