[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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",[32,75,87,99],{"_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",6183252,"mediaKeyId","5098363-2bb9f66eb760e8fd20c174154b1cf585","parentId",5098363,"title","Senators and nominees highlight munitions shortfalls, drone proliferation and intelligence gaps","audioSeconds",3134,"startMs",3659000,"endMs",6793000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5098363-2bb9f66eb760e8fd20c174154b1cf585&start=3659&end=6793","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5098363-2bb9f66eb760e8fd20c174154b1cf585/thumbnail_3659000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6183252/Senators-and-nominees-highlight-munitions-shortfalls-drone-proliferation-and-intelligence-gaps","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6183252-29f407c46b39b903a4b602a22fa28905/orig.mp4?Expires=1771056645&Signature=P-6vLfzESJKOHLptB56ugX5DNaUPnbxBmlFglKtoQY4v8dNP6szGwQDFzNoq4~3v7R9p1W4j78e16Sw-gn8-A-xiYJ8J91YDWRYdzt0nrY-jhmswI-ETg8pl4PAiVOaRpPZiueMeWskir7LAKOX-4lh8~Z~59lFNQ44hAL5GAJ2NnlWl8gkihJS4u8-RHxlXD3NWLQKFTsVmfgDUWxNxVCrr~mU18Rgb5SJGni5hdaiN9Ly~7Eu9luV8TZx34lk9LnhR9cyJRkva-GBdNaho5jQlNUvDTT0hDlIXNSnYTMFQZEtCwsR1b9LTRpASNuj-lrqdi5MffLJhJ0U4l-RtOg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","U.S. Senate Committee on Armed Services","date","2025-06-24T00:00:00Z","article","Senators from both parties told Vice Admiral Brad Cooper and Lieutenant General Alexis Grinkovich that U.S. forces need more munitions, faster drone production and robust ISR to deter and respond to multiple theaters of conflict.

Why it matters: Members said shortages in munitions and the pace of drone production could limit U.S. and allied options in sustained conflict. Lawmakers pressed nominees to help close the feedback loop between combatant commanders and the acquisition system.

What was said
- Munitions and magazine depth: Senators described the U.S. munitions industrial base as strained by concurrent high‑intensity demands in the Middle East and Ukraine. \"We need a lot more to increase capacity for our munitions industrial base,\" Senator Cotton said; both nominees agreed and called for an \"all‑of‑the‑above\" approach to expand production.
- Drone production and counter‑UAS: Senators and witnesses discussed differences in production scale; witnesses said U.S. production lags perceived foreign output and urged cutting red tape to bring private‑sector technology to warfighters faster. \"We need to leverage that tech sector to maximum capability and deliver capability in the very near term,\" Cooper said.
- ISR requirements: Both nominees described ISR as essential. Cooper said ISR is needed to both protect the homeland and deter Iran; Grinkovich stressed ISR's role in monitoring Russian activity across maritime and air domains.
- Acquisition and feedback loops: Senators urged closer integration between combatant commanders and acquisition processes so demand signals reach industry faster. Nominees said they would provide candid military advice and help close those gaps if confirmed.

Ending: Senators asked the nominees to press for expedited procurement, expanded production and stronger trans‑Atlantic industrial capacity; nominees pledged to make munitions, counter‑UAS and ISR priorities.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","To consider the nominations of Vice Adm. Charles B. Cooper II as Commander, U.S. Central Command, and Lt. Gen. Alexus G. Grynkewich as Commander, U.S. European Command and Supreme Allied Commander, Europe.","oneSentenceSummary","Senators pressed military nominees to address U.S. munitions shortfalls, scale up drone production and expand ISR to meet near‑term demands in the Middle East and Europe.","taxTitle","Armed Services: Senate Committee, Standing Committees - House & Senate, Congressional Hearings Compilation, Legislative, Federal","taxId",1987,"location","","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6183262,"Senate Armed Services Committee hears testimony from nominees to lead CENTCOM and EUCOM",7831,939000,8770000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5098363-2bb9f66eb760e8fd20c174154b1cf585&start=939&end=8770","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5098363-2bb9f66eb760e8fd20c174154b1cf585/thumbnail_939000.jpg","/articles/6183262/Senate-Armed-Services-Committee-hears-testimony-from-nominees-to-lead-CENTCOM-and-EUCOM","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6183262-86c99ee789da3aa08a6fa70a9f6bb4fb/orig.mp4?Expires=1771056645&Signature=Uzom8LoUJqTymWPU6BLf2AfWJOAFw5ZjhSaIxC57jdeJZuMNjDIO0goNv5FHi7~6xkCe5tv-zy8QB2Jv8BRzNn6vhAfBmk26B7TEG6jd0qyeVlcGWGsN3nTHFtPVLpfG-Eqqu7uNQTnrVtlkupYVc2Re8G7eGCZAG3jKoCGMI8YNMDPzjS3nDHlPl8eCAfNz9fM9qj~gaMfaFANlYy7sZXy-KVmF1DzE26BSOqbNEgSmWFODlCMrjBhPrE01mZX6XmaY~4dWb3mOI9JWE6bRZAvG6V7659gc-kpqTF62cKfFRImt1VqkCeWjCKA5S99FTrrtCm-iabxmj7~E--ZYfg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate Armed Services Committee on Thursday considered the nominations of Vice Admiral Brad Cooper to command U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) and Lieutenant General Alexis Grinkovich to command U.S. European Command (EUCOM) and serve as Supreme Allied Commander Europe. Chairman Roger Wicker opened the hearing and thanked the nominees and their families.

The hearing focused on regional security across two theaters and the readiness of U.S. forces. Cooper described recent CENTCOM operations and said the military's top priority was force protection. \"Our number 1 priority today is the safety of our men and women in uniform,\" Vice Admiral Brad Cooper said during questioning. Grinkovich emphasized readiness and allied burden sharing in Europe and said he would press NATO partners to turn increased spending commitments into deployable capability.

Why it matters: The nominees would lead U.S. forces at a period of heightened tension in the Middle East and ongoing war in Ukraine. Senators pressed them on how they would deter Iran and its proxies, assure NATO allies, and manage logistics and munitions shortfalls.

Key exchanges and themes
- Iran and regional stability: Several senators asked Cooper about the strike on Iranian nuclear facilities and the risk of further escalation. Cooper said CENTCOM would remain \"laser focused\" on protecting U.S. forces and would provide military options to civilian leaders. He declined to discuss classified details in open session.
- Russia and NATO posture: Grinkovich was asked about force posture in Europe and the importance of land combat power. He said ground combat forces are “very critical” and pledged to provide the Department of Defense a detailed posture assessment if confirmed.
- Munitions and industrial base: Multiple senators raised concerns about U.S. munitions stockpiles and production rates. Cooper and Grinkovich agreed that the nation needs expanded munitions capacity and faster acquisition pathways to get capabilities to warfighters.
- Counter‑UAS and emerging technology: Both nominees described the changing character of warfare, with a growing role for drones and unmanned systems in lethal and defensive roles.

No formal votes took place at the hearing. Senators said classified briefings would follow to address sensitive operational details.

The hearing record will remain open for questions for the record, which the committee requested by 6 p.m. local time.","The Senate Armed Services Committee on Thursday considered the nominations of Vice Admiral Brad Cooper to command U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) and Lieutenant General Alexis Grinkovich to command U.S. European Command (EUCOM) and serve as NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6183247,"Committee examines Houthi attacks, Bab al‑Mandeb and risks to shipping in the Red Sea and Strait of Hormuz",961,6151000,7112000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5098363-2bb9f66eb760e8fd20c174154b1cf585&start=6151&end=7112","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5098363-2bb9f66eb760e8fd20c174154b1cf585/thumbnail_6151000.jpg","/articles/6183247/Committee-examines-Houthi-attacks-Bab-alMandeb-and-risks-to-shipping-in-the-Red-Sea-and-Strait-of-Hormuz","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6183247-76d47fbb19bd1ffca3e50ef68e8754df/orig.mp4?Expires=1771056645&Signature=k~AOdPKsOElCtTPjvIAmetlHHeSqKSAVY1wCexUeqELIyHhS~6p8NJL3es-fESiiyUlFPFDq8D8~heAgDHYw2V0c3zOjezJbRTbd-wqqAN4pCKJvf-xxpPSUQKESDFhkUrkihvwzllHbRRcjHzEem5mmLDwWWAReGV9TgJDxsf88fCwtdrER7120zc09sQbcrEJKFg6hS68NazzLicwrtA7CH3frOv6MTh4WQQIRMjVa076mxTIvcZXBxvqcvG3uveORmXzHVOefJ4VHv145py5mhZ1Z4Tw94qtf99gSiqzsUq0jwj3KPotOOoKk5uFAtywq0fnjq3NW~rmm7ii9pg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Maritime security emerged as a focused subject during the hearing as senators asked how the U.S. would protect commercial shipping and naval movements through key chokepoints.

Why it matters: The Bab al‑Mandeb and the Strait of Hormuz handle significant volumes of global oil and shipping; a sustained Houthi campaign or mine deployment could disrupt global trade and energy markets.

What was discussed
- Houthis and Iranian support: Witnesses and senators said the Houthis have been supported by Iran for years with arms, training and technical assistance. \"They're extremely well supplied,\" Admiral Cooper said, describing Iranian support for Houthi capabilities.
- Freedom of navigation and ceasefires: Cooper said a recent military effort restored freedom of navigation through the Bab al‑Mandeb and that a ceasefire condition had been in place for roughly 40 days at the time of the hearing. He warned that the flow of commerce took months to leave the Red Sea and would take months to return.
- Mine warfare and response time: Senators asked how quickly shipping lanes could be reopened if Iran or proxies deployed sea mines in the Strait of Hormuz. Cooper said mine countermeasures are complex and \"nothing happens quickly\" in mine warfare — he characterized clearance as a matter of weeks to months, not days.

Ending: Committee members urged close monitoring of seaborne threats and expanded maritime ISR and mine‑countermeasure capacity; nominees said those missions are priorities for CENTCOM and that they track regional shipping and naval movements closely.","Senators and nominees discussed maritime threats from the Iran‑aligned Houthi movement, the security of the Bab al‑Mandeb and the Straits of Hormuz, and the U.S. Navy's capacity to detect and clear sea mines. Witnesses said the U.S. maintains a mine warfare capability but that clearance is measured in weeks to months.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6183257,"Senators press nominees on strikes in Iran, risk of escalation and congressional authority",4221,999000,5220000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5098363-2bb9f66eb760e8fd20c174154b1cf585&start=999&end=5220","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5098363-2bb9f66eb760e8fd20c174154b1cf585/thumbnail_999000.jpg","/articles/6183257/Senators-press-nominees-on-strikes-in-Iran-risk-of-escalation-and-congressional-authority","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6183257-3152345c1eb8c91b2ae4c4c746cd6d19/orig.mp4?Expires=1771056645&Signature=YsLGQSz-Qouyan~FD0qctiP15Vjq16x7vyRMdkd0D6Ay-GtxuPC1tA90BdAGW98gTRuuKNYtyD0nnABLAxNCGJPTq06sM6YNDKM-rFUNoKtdoxYc9R1Opksv1WJrbMggQN7qItFiuwQMBptl96~Gj1tZ2PtIsm8ZoUILtTHlMoRGIZSRI3tjm7VMraUBOPwUNCl6Gfz63oj7J7b3JnwdqpKI66b1YvbDrWgu50VWvQMS9yCDygDjCcy8DsUHEpWLsAzXJA3TuByio2-h7SKztghVOwthEGk9QwMTo4gBtkN2Mh5O7EJXGxwYcc-0LUPyalfhzyWOHVhd784K6T1Ccg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senators at the Armed Services Committee hearing probed nominees about the U.S. airstrike on Iranian nuclear facilities — described in the hearing as \"Operation Midnight Hammer\" — and the risks that follow. Ranking Member Reid and other senators repeatedly asked whether the administration had provided Congress adequate consultation and whether the conflict risked expanding.

Why it matters: Committee members said the strikes could ignite wider regional war, potentially threatening tens of thousands of U.S. service members and complicating operations across CENTCOM's area of responsibility.

What senators asked and what nominees said
- Congressional authority and consultation: Several senators, including Richard Blumenthal and Tammy Duckworth, pressed nominees on whether Congress had been consulted and whether the use of force required a formal congressional authorization. Cooper said military advice and options are provided to civilian leaders and that classified discussions were appropriate for detailed operational recommendations. He told the committee, \"I will provide my best military advice based on the policy direction given.\" He declined to discuss classified recommendations in open session.
- Force protection and troop safety: Cooper said protecting U.S. forces is CENTCOM's top priority. He told senators the command is \"laser focused\" on force protection for the \"some 40,000 troops\" in the region and will remain prepared for a wide range of contingencies.
- Risk of escalation and end states: Senators asked whether the president's public statements about regime change or extended campaigns were consistent with military planning. Cooper said the military stands ready to present options and execute policy direction but deferred political decisions to civilian leadership.
- Retaliatory threats and proxy networks: Senators noted Iran's support for proxy groups — including militias that have attacked U.S. forces — and asked how the U.S. will limit future attacks. Cooper said the proxy network is degraded in some places but remains a threat and that CENTCOM will watch them closely.

Context and constraints: Committee members asked for classified briefings to follow up; nominees emphasized they would not discuss sensitive operational details in public. Several senators invoked the War Powers framework and asked for a greater congressional role in decisions to use force.

Ending: The hearing produced detailed questioning but no committee votes; senators requested additional classified sessions and answers for the record to resolve the outstanding operational and legal questions.","Lawmakers pressed the CENTCOM and EUCOM nominees about recent strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, the risk of retaliation, and whether Congress should be consulted before offensive operations. Questions repeatedly returned to force protection for roughly 40,000 U.S. troops in the region and the need for diplomatic off-ramps.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Senators and nominees highlight munitions shortfalls, drone proliferation and intelligence gaps

Senate Armed Services Committee hears testimony from nominees to lead CENTCOM and EUCOM

Committee examines Houthi attacks, Bab al‑Mandeb and risks to shipping in the Red Sea and Strait of Hormuz

Senators press nominees on strikes in Iran, risk of escalation and congressional authority