Tag: Americans for a Stronger Navy

Posted on

America’s Cyber Crisis Hits the Deck: The Tech Sector, China, and Why a Stronger Navy Matters 

Bill Cullifer, Founder
Bill Cullifer, Founder

Introduction

This week, we saw confirmation of what we’ve feared—and been warning about—for over 18 months: America’s digital defenses have been compromised, and it’s our Navy that’s left exposed.

According to Politico, a sweeping cyberattack has been launched by at least three Chinese state-linked hacking groups: Violet Typhoon, Linen Typhoon, and Storm-2603.

Their target? Microsoft’s SharePoint servers—used widely across the federal government, including DoD and Navy-linked systems.

Microsoft, in a Tuesday blog post, acknowledged the severity of the breach. Independent security experts at Mandiant and Censys corroborated the finding: more than 100 organizations globally are believed to be affected—including multiple U.S. federal agencies, some tied to national defense.

The flaw? An unpatched vulnerability in Microsoft’s on-premise SharePoint product.
The result? Remote access into sensitive systems.
The fallout? Still spreading.

And it’s not the first time. In 2023, Chinese actors breached the emails of the U.S. Ambassador to China and the Commerce Secretary, also by exploiting Microsoft misconfigurations. It’s a pattern—and one we can no longer afford to ignore.

Why Americans Should Care

Here’s the hard truth: this breach is a symptom of a larger failure—one that involves the defense-industrial complex, Big Tech, and complacency at the highest levels of oversight.

  • Pentagon systems supported by China-based engineers
  • Software flaws ignored or inadequately patched
  • Critical U.S. infrastructure reliant on foreign nationals in adversarial countries

And now? The U.S. Navy, tasked with protecting global stability, must operate with compromised tools—while companies like Microsoft continue to make billions from government contracts.

It’s not just bad policy. It’s a national security liability.

Implications for the Navy

  • SharePoint vulnerabilities can compromise logistics, intel coordination, and real-time decision-making.
  • At least two Navy-related systems are believed to be among the dozens affected.
  • The breach arrives as the Navy pushes toward a critical readiness benchmark.

Acting Chief of Naval Operations Admiral James Kilby put it plainly:

“We must exercise strategic discipline, increase surge readiness, and protect scheduled maintenance. Our goal is to achieve an 80% combat-surge ready posture by 2027. We are currently at 60% readiness—and that gap is unacceptable.”

The Navy wants to prevent war, not provoke it. But readiness is the only deterrent adversaries understand. And right now, we are dangerously behind.

My Message: Fix, Educate, Mobilize

I’m not writing this to indict. I’m writing to fix and educate.

This crisis has serious implications. The threats are real. And the probability of conflict is rising.

I don’t believe in fear-mongering—but I do believe in calling things by their name. What we are seeing—again—is a system-wide breakdown in how we protect the digital backbone of our military.

This is what I’ve been shouting about for 18 months. Not because I enjoy sounding the alarm—but because someone must.

The taxpayers are left holding the bill.
The sons and daughters of those I served with are left to face the danger.
And the Navy is left to grovel for support to do what only they can—protect this nation at sea and abroad.

What We’re Doing About It

That’s why I launched Americans for a Stronger Navy—to demand accountability, readiness, and real reform.

And that’s why we’re rolling out:
Charting the Course: Voices That Matter—a 24-part educational series exploring:

  • The outsourcing of our military tech infrastructure
  • The erosion of our domestic workforce
  • The choke points in our digital and maritime defenses
  • Concrete ways to fix what’s broken

We’ll spotlight reforms in procurement, workforce development, public-private partnerships, and cybersecurity strategy.

Because the tech sector is culpable—and I call on them now to help us fix this. They helped get us into this mess. They must help get us out.

Final Word

  • Big Tech failed.
  • Oversight failed.
  • The Navy must now bear the consequences.

We’re not just talking about ships and steel—we’re talking about the servers, systems, and software that power warfighting in the 21st century.

And if we don’t wake up, the next war won’t wait.

👉 Join the movement at StrongerNavy.org
Support those who serve. Strengthen what they stand for.

Posted on

Sea Power at Risk: What Every American Needs to Understand Now

Introduction 

Bill Cullifer, Founder
Bill Cullifer, Founder

Every once in a while, something stops you in your tracks — not because it surprises you, but because it sadly confirms what you already knew deep down. That happened to me again recently, thanks to an article my old shipmate, Captain David Lennon, USNR (Ret.), sent my way — part of an ongoing decade-long conversation we’ve been having about where naval power is headed, and how the world around us is changing faster than many realize.

The article described a sobering reality: the UK simulated an attack on its own air defenses, modeled after the first night of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. It wasn’t pretty.

What it revealed — and what Captain Lennon and I both see with growing clarity — is that the way we think about air superiority, naval strength, and even national security itself must urgently evolve.

Old Assumptions Are Crumbling

For decades, we built our strategy around two key ideas:

  • That we could achieve and hold air superiority across an entire theater
  • That our home bases would remain safe while our forces projected power abroad

Today, both assumptions are under direct assault.

I’ll admit, I’m deeply nostalgic about the Navy.
There’s nothing quite like standing watch on a destroyer’s deck in the warm air of the Pacific, watching the sunset melt into the horizon, feeling the salt spray on your face, and the gentle roll of the ship beneath your boots.
You smell the ocean, you hear the distant call of seabirds, and you feel part of something bigger than yourself.

Every sailor should have the chance to experience the thrill of far-off ports, the pride of representing America abroad, and the awe of watching our best and brightest launch and land from the deck of a mighty aircraft carrier.
It’s a feeling that stays with you for life — a connection to the sea, to service, and to something that must be protected at all costs.

But the battlefield is changing.

Air superiority is no longer theater-wide — it’s trench to trench, rooftop to rooftop, fought with swarms of cheap drones, cyberattacks, and hypersonic weapons that can strike deep into what we once called the “rear areas.”
Even home bases can no longer be assumed safe.

As someone who later spent a career in the technology sector, I can tell you from firsthand experience: cyber threats are not hypothetical.
They’re already here — probing, stealing, destabilizing.

Maritime cyber vulnerabilities are now national vulnerabilities.

The Harsh Lesson of a Simulated Attack

The urgency of this shift was driven home by a recent UK military exercise.

In a simulation based on the first night of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the UK tested its own air defenses against a similar attack profile — and the results were sobering.

Despite having some of the world’s most advanced air and missile defense systems, the simulation exposed serious vulnerabilities at home bases, highlighting gaps that adversaries could exploit.

This exercise reinforced the grim reality: modern missile and drone attacks can overwhelm even advanced defenses if bases are not prepared for constant, layered threats.
No nation can afford to assume that domestic facilities are automatically safe anymore.

As Newsweek recently reported, the UK has invested nearly $48 million in a “world-leading synthetic training system” called Gladiator, designed to replicate real-life scenarios during exercises. However, the war-gaming exercise in question did not account for several of Russia’s next-generation weapons, such as the Zircon and Kinzhal hypersonic missiles — threats that have challenged even the most advanced air defense systems.

While Russia has claimed these hypersonic weapons are nearly impossible to intercept, Western analysts remain skeptical, and Ukraine has successfully shot down several using U.S.-made Patriot systems.

Planning for a Navy in a New Era

Here’s the hard part:

How do we plan and build the fleet we need if we don’t have the budget, the shipbuilders, or the industrial base ready to deliver it?

How do we harden our forward positions and our homeland if procurement cycles still move at peacetime speed, while threats evolve at wartime speed?

Efficiency matters.
Cost-effectiveness matters.
Dialogue matters.
High technology matters.

And urgency matters most of all. Whatever we do, we must hustle.

This is Why “Charting the Course” Matters
This is why we launched the Charting the Course education series at Americans for a Stronger Navy.

We’re not just presenting expert opinion — we’re inviting a national conversation about the future of sea power, economic security, and America’s place in the world.

Because the stakes couldn’t be higher.
Because being a maritime nation matters.
Because naval statecraft matters.
Because — despite what some may dismiss as a catchphrase — Peace Through Strength still matters.

We can’t afford to get this wrong.
We can’t afford silence, division, or delay.

A Final Word

Captain Lennon and I served together decades ago aboard a U.S. Navy destroyer, but our commitment to service never really ended.
Today, that service continues — through conversations like these, through sharing insights, and through rallying Americans to remember that sea power has always been at the heart of our security, prosperity, and peace.

We invite you to join us.

Charting the Course is open to all, free of charge, and designed to spark the kind of dialogue — and action — that America desperately needs right now.

Let’s move — together.

Sea power is America’s future — and it’s a future worth fighting for. Join the conversation today: Charting the Course

Posted on

Open Letter: Give the Navy the Tools—And Stop Leaving Us to Pick Up the Pieces

By Bill Cullifer
Founder, Americans for a Stronger Navy
Former U.S. Navy Destroyer Sailor (1970s)

There’s been a lively debate online between economic giants Larry Summers and David Sacks about tariffs, trade policy, and the consequences of decades of globalization. But while they spar over markets and presidential strategies, a bigger question goes largely unspoken:

Who picks up the pieces when economic policy becomes a national vulnerability?

As someone who served in the U.S. Navy in the 1970s and now leads Americans for a Stronger Navy, I’ve watched closely as the Navy quietly shoulders the consequences of decisions made far from the sea. While economists argue over the stock market’s reaction to tariffs, the Navy secures global trade routes, deters adversaries, and absorbs the burden of an offshored industrial base.

But the Navy isn’t alone. Entire sectors of American life—logistics, agriculture, energy, pharmaceuticals, entertainment, finance, and technology—depend on the smooth flow of global trade. From major ports and retailers to family farms and Fortune 500 companies, virtually every modern American business benefits from the stability the Navy helps provide.

The American economy is global because the U.S. Navy keeps it that way.

Yet in the recent debate, while Summers described trillions lost in market volatility and economic fallout, no one mentioned the ripple effects on military readiness, deterrence, or strategic capability. That absence reflects a dangerous blind spot.

When Wall Street stumbles, the Navy sails.
When diplomacy falters or trade routes are threatened, the Navy deploys.
But today it’s doing so with fewer ships, aging platforms, and underinvested shipyards—while our adversaries build, modernize, and maneuver.

This isn’t just a Navy issue. It’s a business issue. A national issue.

If your industry touches global trade—if you depend on international logistics, rare earth minerals, undersea cables, satellite access, shipping lanes, or simply consumer confidence—then you depend on a ready and capable Navy.

This is a message to American industry: You benefit. You must engage. You must contribute.

We need your voice—and your leadership—in support of:

  • Rebuilding our shipbuilding and repair base
  • Investing in drones, AI, and technologies that give our fleet an edge
  • Modernizing infrastructure and dry docks that sustain readiness
  • Funding advocacy and education to spark public awareness

The economic world order your industry thrives in exists because American sea power has kept the global commons safe for decades. That foundation is eroding—and silence is no longer an option.

At Americans for a Stronger Navy, we’re connecting the dots between civic awareness, economic strategy, and maritime strength. We’ve launched a 24-part educational initiative to help Americans understand what’s at stake and how to act.

Explore the series: Charting the Course – For Country. For Unity. For a Stronger Navy.

Whether you’re a CEO, policymaker, investor, teacher, or neighbor—this affects you. Now is the time to link economic resilience with strategic defense. To give the Navy the tools—not just praise—before the next storm arrives.

This is your moment to lead. Not from the sidelines—but from the front.

Use your platform. Leverage your influence. Show the next generation that prosperity is earned—and defended.

Because a secure economy doesn’t start with policy.
It starts with power. And power starts at sea.

Learn more at StrongerNavy.org and join the movement to educate, equip, and engage.

A stronger Navy requires a stronger America behind it. Let’s get to work.

Posted on

Taiwan, Trade, and Sea Power: The Economic Catastrophe We Can’t Ignore

210728-N-FO714-1033 TAIWAN STRAIT (July 28, 2021) The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Benfold (DDG 65) transits the Taiwan Strait while conducting routine underway operations. Benfold is forward-deployed to the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Deanna C. Gonzales)

Introduction

In a recent Senate Armed Services Committee hearing, Senator Tom Cotton posed a sobering question to Admiral Samuel Paparo, commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command: What would happen to the global economy if China attacked or invaded Taiwan?

The answer, echoed by both military and civilian experts, is nothing short of catastrophic.

Investor Ken Griffin warned that a rupture over Taiwan could send the world into “great depression circumstances.” Ian Easton of the Naval War College has long warned of China’s ability to disrupt global trade and exploit vulnerabilities in the Indo-Pacific. The U.S. Navy and our allies cannot afford to treat these concerns as hypothetical.

Why Taiwan Matters to the Global Economy

Taiwan is not only a leading global manufacturer of semiconductors—it is also a key node in international shipping. Roughly one-third of the world’s trade passes through the South China Sea. Any disruption caused by Chinese military action—especially a blockade or invasion of Taiwan—would choke critical sea lanes and sever the supply chains that power everything from cars to smartphones to critical defense systems.

What Ken Griffin Got Right

In January 2024, Griffin put it bluntly:

“If there were a rupture around Taiwan, it would be catastrophic to both the Chinese and to the American economy.”

Griffin wasn’t talking about market jitters—he was warning about supply chain collapse, capital flight, manufacturing shutdowns, and global financial panic. These effects wouldn’t just hit Wall Street—they would impact farmers, truckers, teachers, and service members alike.

Sea Power Is Economic Poweruh

This is why Americans for a Stronger Navy continues to sound the alarm. The U.S. Navy isn’t just a military force—it’s a shield for global commerce. Sea power ensures stability in the Indo-Pacific and protects the economic lifelines that Americans depend on.

Today’s tools of deterrence extend beyond warships. Ships, drones, AI—they all play a critical role in keeping trade flowing and conflict at bay. Without continued investment in these technologies and the people who operate them, our economy and our alliances remain vulnerable.

Blockade drills and military posturing by China are not symbolic—they are preparation. And we must respond with strategic clarity, industrial readiness, and unwavering public support for naval strength.

Conclusion: Americans Deserve to Know

This isn’t just a military issue—it’s an economic one. The American people deserve to understand what’s at stake, and what it means to be unprepared.

If we fail to invest in our fleet, fortify our alliances, and educate the public, we risk more than just ships—we risk our prosperity.

#StrongerNavy | StrongerNavy.org | #Taiwan | #SeaPower | #EconomicSecurity | #INDOPACOM | #USNavy | #ShipsDronesAI

Posted on

Trump Signs Executive Order to Revitalize U.S. Shipbuilding

A Turning Point for America’s Maritime Strength

In a bold move aimed at restoring America’s maritime edge, President Donald Trump signed an executive order today (April 9, 2025) designed to revitalize the U.S. shipbuilding industry and reduce China’s growing control over the global shipping supply chain. The order calls for sweeping changes across trade, industry investment, and national security infrastructure—setting the stage for long-term renewal of America’s commercial and naval shipping capabilities.

What the Executive Order Includes

The new executive order establishes:

Maritime Security Trust Fund
A dedicated fund to provide stable, long-term investment in shipbuilding, shipyards, dry docks, and repair facilities. Potential funding sources include tariffs, fines, port fees, and other federal revenue streams.

Port Fees on Chinese-Linked Ships
Ships flagged by China or built in Chinese shipyards may soon face significant docking fees at U.S. ports. The U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) is expected to finalize this remedy by mid-April. Allies will also be encouraged to implement similar restrictions.

Tariffs on Chinese-Made Cargo Equipment
The order directs the USTR to consider imposing tariffs on ship-to-shore cranes and cargo handling gear manufactured or assembled in China—or made with Chinese-controlled components anywhere in the world.

Enforcement of Harbor Maintenance Fees
To prevent workarounds, Homeland Security will crack down on companies trying to avoid U.S. fees by routing shipments through Mexico and Canada before transporting them across land borders.

Incentives for U.S. Shipyard Investment
The executive order includes provisions for incentivizing private sector investment in new or revitalized U.S. shipyards, commercial ship components, and critical maritime infrastructure.

Why Americans Should Care

The United States currently produces less than 1% of the world’s commercial ships—while China builds about 50%. In 1999, China’s share was just 5%. This trend has massive implications not just for economic competitiveness, but for national security and maritime logistics.

As President Trump put it:
“We used to build a ship a day, and now we don’t build a ship a year, practically. We have the capacity to do it.”

This executive order is more than policy—it’s a call to action.

Implications for the Navy

While the executive order does not explicitly mention the U.S. Navy, its impact on naval readiness and strategic capability is unmistakable. Revitalizing America’s commercial shipbuilding infrastructure strengthens the industrial base the Navy relies on for new construction, maintenance, and repairs. Investments in dry docks, skilled labor, and cargo handling capabilities bolster our ability to support fleet operations—especially in times of crisis.

Moreover, reducing reliance on Chinese-built shipping equipment and infrastructure directly supports U.S. naval strategy. It limits vulnerabilities in ports and logistics chains, while reinforcing America’s control over critical maritime assets. A stronger shipbuilding sector means a stronger Navy, even if it’s not named in the order.

Implications for Our Allies

The executive order sends a message to America’s allies: We are serious about maritime strength and expect partners to do the same. With Chinese-built vessels operating across global supply chains, coordinated action could limit strategic vulnerabilities and encourage diversified, allied-aligned shipping infrastructure.

A Statement from Americans for a Stronger Navy

“This executive order is a long-overdue step toward restoring our nation’s ability to build and maintain the ships we depend on for both commerce and defense. The Navy does not operate in a vacuum—it needs a healthy, resilient industrial base. America must lead again on the seas, not just militarily, but commercially. This is how we secure freedom of navigation, economic stability, and peace through strength.”
— Bill Cullifer, founder, Americans for a Stronger Navy

Your Voice Matters

This is our moment. Let’s celebrate the executive order—but keep pushing until America leads on the seas again. Congress must act, industry must respond, and Americans must stay engaged.

Sign up to be part of the movement. It’s free. A stronger Navy begins with a stronger nation.

Posted on

Shipbuilding, Repair, and Shore Support: Why SIOP Matters More Than Ever

Introduction

At this year’s Sea-Air-Space Expo, a powerful message came through loud and clear: shipbuilding and repair aren’t just logistics or budgeting issues—they are strategic priorities. With the U.S. Navy facing growing demands across the Indo-Pacific and beyond, the ability to maintain and sustain our fleet has never been more important. One of the most important announcements at #SAS2025 came from NAVFAC leadership, who shared critical updates on the Navy’s long-term infrastructure plan: the Shipyard Infrastructure Optimization Program (SIOP).

What Is SIOP? The Shipyard Infrastructure Optimization Program is the Navy’s comprehensive, decades-long effort to modernize its four public shipyards: Norfolk, Pearl Harbor, Portsmouth, and Puget Sound. These yards are essential to maintaining our nuclear-powered fleet, and many of their facilities date back a century or more. SIOP aims to upgrade dry docks, replace aging infrastructure, optimize layout and workflow, and improve productivity and quality of service for 37,000 shipyard workers.

Why This Matters Fleet readiness is impossible without reliable infrastructure. Every day a ship sits idle in maintenance delays is a day it can’t defend our interests. As Rear Adm. Dean VanderLey of NAVFAC stated at #SAS2025, shore infrastructure is the foundation of American maritime power. And without modern, capable shipyards, our ability to project sea power and maintain naval dominance is at risk.

Smart Construction, Smarter Strategy SIOP isn’t just about fixing what’s broken. It’s about doing things better. NAVFAC leaders highlighted new strategies like early contractor involvement, modular/offsite construction, and industrialized building techniques—all aimed at delivering faster results at lower cost. For example, the dry dock at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard will require twice the concrete used to build the Pentagon. That’s a massive, multiyear undertaking—and it shows the scale and urgency of the mission.

A Civilian-Military Partnership Shipyard revitalization is more than a military investment. It represents an opportunity for public-private collaboration, workforce development, and industrial revitalization. It’s a call to rebuild America’s maritime edge with the help of skilled labor, advanced engineering, and modern project delivery.

Conclusion: Time to Stay Focused At Americans for a Stronger Navy, we believe this is the kind of long-term, bipartisan initiative that can reset the trajectory of our Navy and our civilian maritime capability. Shipbuilding is strategy. Repair is readiness. And shore support is the glue that holds it all together.

Let’s make sure SIOP gets the support, oversight, and public awareness it deserves.

#StrongerNavy | StrongerNavy.org | #SAS2025 | #Shipbuilding | #SIOP | #NAVFAC | #SeaPower

Posted on

Arming for Peace: Why America Must Act Now to Strengthen the Navy and Defend Freedom

A Review of Heritage Foundation Report BG3902 by Americans for a Stronger Navy

Introduction

The Heritage Foundation’s latest report, “Arming for Peace: Expanding the Defense Industrial Base and Arming Taiwan Faster” (BG3902), echoes what Americans for a Stronger Navy has been sounding the alarm on: The threats facing the United States are real, escalating, and dangerously close to overwhelming our current naval capabilities. As Brent Sadler writes, the time for talk has passed. Action is overdue. If we don’t mobilize now, America risks losing the ability to deter war and defend freedom in the Indo-Pacific and beyond.

As Sadler states: “As Americans go about their daily lives unmolested, the world is accelerating in its change—much of it perilous to U.S. national survival.” He warns that “on the back of a decades-long sustained military build-up, China’s military is increasingly confident and willing to directly challenge the U.S.”

His call to action is clear: “The U.S. must restore ebbing national deterrence and prevent a war in Asia—while not ceding its democratic way of life and prosperity for the next generations.”

Key Findings That Should Wake America Up

China is preparing for war. Admiral Davidson’s 2021 warning that China could strike Taiwan by 2027 has not only proven prescient, it’s now backed by an unprecedented military buildup. China has conducted massive joint-force invasion rehearsals and increased provocations around Taiwan. As Brent Sadler put it, “Aggressive maneuvers around Taiwan right now are not exercises, as they call them. They are rehearsals.”

That warning was underscored this week when the Chinese military launched large-scale joint drills around Taiwan, including its Shandong aircraft carrier battle group. According to China’s own Eastern Theater Command, these drills are a “severe warning and forceful containment against Taiwan independence.” With missile forces, air strikes, and blockade rehearsals now unfolding, many in Taiwan — and around the world — are rightfully concerned. Sadler’s insights about China’s evolving risk tolerance add important context to these real-time developments.

Further validating the urgency, the U.S. Naval War College’s China Maritime Report No. 14 found that Chinese analysts themselves believe the PLA has narrowed the gap with the U.S. military, especially in its immediate region. “There is consensus in China that the PLA has narrowed the gap in overall military capabilities with the United States over the last two decades,” the report notes.

Russia and China are approaching U.S. shores. Testimony from U.S. Northern Command chief Gen. Gregory Guillot before Congress confirmed that joint Russian-Chinese military patrols have entered the U.S. Air Defense Identification Zone near Alaska — levels not seen since before the Ukraine war began. One coordinated flight last July saw Russian TU-95 and Chinese H-6 bombers test U.S. response time. This should serve as a wake-up call: our adversaries are not just projecting power near Taiwan, they’re probing U.S. airspace and waters closer to home. As Politico reported, Chinese “dual-use” vessels under scientific pretenses are mapping the Arctic for future military operations.

U.S. deterrence is fading. Years of underinvestment in shipbuilding and naval readiness have created dangerous gaps. Delays in weapons deliveries, inadequate port infrastructure, and a depleted missile defense stockpile are symptoms of a nation unprepared for a prolonged maritime conflict. As Sadler warns, “Failing to act… could result in the most destructive and consequential war the U.S. has ever had to fight.”

The Navy is stretched thin. The U.S. Navy has sustained an aggressive forward presence, but at great cost. Ship wear, sailor fatigue, and insufficient repair capacity are taking their toll. The grounding of the USNS Big Horn disrupted combat ops in the Red Sea, highlighting our logistical fragility. Sadler notes, “This comes at a cost in added wear on the ships and sailors reliant on a logistics infrastructure of ports, support ships, and dry docks too few to assure contested forward naval operations.”

The world is on fire. From Ukraine to the Red Sea to the Arctic, our adversaries are watching and testing U.S. resolve. China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea now operate more boldly, confident in America’s disunity and domestic distraction.

Taiwan is not a distant concern. More than 80,000 Americans live, work, or travel there. A war over Taiwan would drag us into conflict, devastate global supply chains, and send shockwaves through the U.S. economy. As Sadler puts it plainly, “Taiwan is where over 80,000 Americans live, work, or travel on any given day.”

China’s geographic advantage cannot be ignored. According to the CMSI report, Chinese military capabilities are particularly potent within the First Island Chain, which includes Taiwan. “Chinese capabilities may…contest U.S. supremacy in scenarios close to home,” the report warns. That’s where deterrence matters most—and where readiness is most urgently needed.

Why Americans Should Care

This is not just a Navy problem. It’s an American problem. Delays in defense production, weak infrastructure, and an uninformed public are national vulnerabilities. If Americans fail to understand what is at stake, we will fail to hold our leaders accountable. And if we fail to act, we will be forced to react under far worse circumstances.

A strong Navy protects freedom of navigation, global trade, energy security, and the American way of life. Without it, our adversaries will decide what happens in the Taiwan Strait, the Red Sea, the South China Sea — and now, even the Arctic.

What the Navy Needs Now

A modern Naval Act. We need a 21st-century version of the pre-WWII Naval Act to rapidly rebuild shipyards, expand production, and modernize our fleet. Sadler calls this “a promising first step to regain the ability to sustain a wartime economy in a prolonged war with China.”

Real investment in maritime infrastructure. Ports, dry docks, and logistics support are vital national security assets that must be revitalized now.

Faster arms deliveries to Taiwan. The delays in Harpoon, Javelin, and Stinger deliveries must be resolved. Taiwan’s ability to defend itself is our first line of deterrence. Sadler emphasizes that “how the new Administration responds and accelerates the arming of Taiwan will be key in sustaining the military balance and peace in the near term.”

A unified national strategy. We must operate differently — with diplomatic, economic, and military efforts aligned. Naval statecraft must be at the heart of this new Cold War strategy. Sadler emphasizes, “Naval statecraft is the recommended way forward; that is, a maritime strategic framework for using American power.”

The CMSI report reminds us that training, human capital, and logistics remain U.S. advantages. While China may be catching up in hardware, “Chinese training still lags. The gap in the software [human resources and development] is even bigger,” the report notes. But these gaps can close — unless we act now to protect and reinforce our edge.

An Engaged and Educated Public

At Americans for a Stronger Navy, we believe in peace through strength. But strength requires public awareness, buy-in, and civic action. That’s why we launched the Americans for a Stronger Navy Educational Series — to help Americans understand the stakes, the history, and the path forward.

We invite every reader to check out and sign up for the Educational Series on StrongerNavy.org. Learn what makes our Navy vital to our security and prosperity. Share it with others. Talk about it. Get involved.

Conclusion

We are not powerless. But we must not be silent. The Heritage Foundation, the U.S. Naval War College, and recent military testimony to Congress all point to the same reality: America is in the early stages of a long contest with near-peer adversaries, and we must prepare now.

It’s time for Americans to wake up, stand up, and demand a Navy that is ready not just for today’s threats, but tomorrow’s challenges.

America needs a stronger Navy. And the Navy needs a stronger America behind it.

Posted on

Rising Threats and Naval Implications – Why Americans Should Care

Introduction

The 2025 Annual Threat Assessment (ATA) from the U.S. Intelligence Community delivers a direct message to America: our adversaries are preparing, adapting, and collaborating in ways that threaten our security and way of life. For the U.S. Navy, this report underscores the urgent need to evolve—faster, smarter, and with the full backing of the American public. As a former destroyer sailor and founder of Americans for a Stronger Navy, I’ve never seen a clearer call to action.

Understanding the Threat Environment

The ATA outlines a world where state adversaries are growing more aggressive, not just militarily, but across cyberspace, space, and information warfare. These threats are not abstract—they are aimed at U.S. systems, infrastructure, supply chains, and naval dominance.

Key Takeaways

China
China is modernizing the world’s largest navy, expanding its presence in the Taiwan Strait and South China Sea, and using cyber capabilities like Volt Typhoon and Salt Typhoon to pre-position attacks on U.S. infrastructure. Its military posture is aimed at deterring U.S. intervention and achieving dominance by 2049.

Russia
Despite its losses in Ukraine, Russia remains dangerous, with a formidable submarine fleet, long-range missile systems, and anti-satellite weapons. Its activity in the Arctic and collaboration with China create new strategic complications for the Navy.

Iran
Iran is deploying proxy forces such as the Houthis to strike commercial shipping and challenge U.S. regional interests. Its growing cyber and missile arsenal pose immediate operational risks, particularly in the Red Sea and Persian Gulf.

North Korea
North Korea continues to expand its nuclear and missile programs while deepening ties with Russia. It remains an unpredictable and volatile threat with expanding long-range strike capability.

Adversarial Cooperation
China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea are now actively collaborating. The coordination of military, cyber, and intelligence resources among these nations raises the stakes for U.S. naval strategy and global readiness.

Why Americans Should Care

Our economy depends on maritime security.
Ninety percent of global trade—including food, medicine, and fuel—moves by sea. Disruption of those supply lines affects every American household.

A strong Navy deters war.
The Navy maintains peace through presence. Without adequate ships, infrastructure, and support, our deterrence fails—and the risk of conflict rises.

Cyber and space threats can paralyze daily life.
Adversaries are preparing to disable communications, GPS, power, and defense networks. Many of these systems are protected or enabled by the U.S. Navy.

Our enemies are coordinating.
No longer isolated, these states are combining their strengths to challenge U.S. global presence—and potentially to stretch our forces thin across multiple theaters.

National support is a strategic weapon.
A Navy without public backing is vulnerable. Understanding the threat landscape empowers voters, lawmakers, and communities to support smart, decisive investments in naval readiness.

Implications for the Navy

Fleet Modernization
The Navy must deploy hypersonic weapons, uncrewed platforms, AI-driven systems, and advanced missile defenses to compete in contested domains.

Forward Logistics and Pre-Positioned Assets
The Navy must expand its footprint in the Indo-Pacific, Arctic, and Middle East by investing in mobile logistics, fuel depots, and strategic alliances.

Cyber and Infrastructure Hardening
Cyber hardening is now a frontline requirement. Naval systems and civilian infrastructure that support operations—like ports and shipyards—must be resilient.

Space and Arctic Readiness
With increasing threats to space assets and the Arctic opening as a strategic corridor, the Navy must build capabilities for multi-domain and under-ice operations.

Industrial Base and Workforce Development
America must revitalize its shipbuilding industry and train the next generation of naval engineers and builders. We cannot deter tomorrow’s threats with yesterday’s tools.

Closing Thought

The ATA is not just an intelligence document. It’s a warning flare. Americans for a Stronger Navy exists to ensure the public understands these threats and responds with urgency. The Navy can’t do it alone. It needs your voice.

To Learn More

If you found this post informative, we invite you to explore and sign up for the Americans for a Stronger Navy Educational Series. This free, ongoing program dives deeper into the threats, challenges, and opportunities facing the U.S. Navy today—and why it matters to every American. Click here to subscribe to the conversation and become part of the solution.

Posted on

Aegis Combat System Proves It Can Counter Hypersonic Threats

Introduction.

On March 24, 2025, the USS Pinckney (DDG 91) made history. Off the coast of Kauai, Hawaii, the Navy successfully completed Flight Test Other-40 (FTX-40)—also known as Stellar Banshee—using the Aegis Combat System to detect and simulate engagement with a hypersonic missile threat. This test is a major milestone in the United States’ ability to defend against rapidly emerging threats from near-peer adversaries like China and Russia, both of whom are investing heavily in hypersonic technology.

Test Details: Simulating the Future of Warfare

A Medium Range Ballistic Missile (MRBM) equipped with a Hypersonic Target Vehicle (HTV-1) was air-launched from a C-17 aircraft. The USS Pinckney used a simulated SM-6 Block IAU interceptor and Lockheed Martin’s latest Aegis Baseline 9 software to detect, track, and engage the target. While no live intercept occurred, the simulated engagement offered critical insights and data collection, validating the system’s ability to counter maneuvering hypersonic threats.

This test also previewed the system’s scalability. Aegis can be deployed at sea or on land—key flexibility in a complex global security environment. The test utilized a virtualized Aegis software configuration, a leap forward in adapting the system for next-generation warfare.

Building on Momentum: Past Successes and What’s Next

FTX-40 follows the success of FTM-32, known as Stellar Sisyphus, in which the USS Preble (DDG 88) intercepted a MRBM with an upgraded SM-6 Dual II missile in a live-fire test. These continued advancements will pave the way for FTM-43, which will aim to perform a live intercept against an HTV-1 target.

The collaboration between the U.S. Navy, the Missile Defense Agency (MDA), Lockheed Martin, and other defense partners signals a renewed commitment to innovation and integrated missile defense.

Why Americans Should Care

Hypersonic missiles travel at speeds greater than Mach 5, can maneuver mid-flight, and are extremely hard to detect and counter with traditional systems. Adversaries like China and Russia are rapidly developing and testing these weapons. If successful, these weapons could bypass our current defenses and strike critical infrastructure, fleets, or even the homeland.

This test shows that the United States is not standing still. Our Navy is preparing for tomorrow’s battles—today. The Aegis Combat System’s evolving capabilities directly protect American service members at sea, allies abroad, and Americans at home. It’s another reason why investment in a stronger Navy isn’t optional—it’s essential.

Implications for the Navy

This test reinforces the Aegis system as the backbone of the Navy’s integrated air and missile defense strategy. With its growing flexibility, the system can support both forward-deployed naval units and U.S.-based missile defense installations. It also helps the Navy operate in contested environments—areas where hypersonic threats are expected to become commonplace.

Implications for Our Allies

Many of our closest allies—Japan, South Korea, Australia—also rely on Aegis-equipped ships or similar missile defense systems. Demonstrating this capability strengthens not only U.S. deterrence but also our credibility with partners. In a world where multilateral defense cooperation is key, proof of performance matters.

Closing Thought

FTX-40 didn’t just simulate a hypersonic intercept—it sent a clear message: The United States Navy is adapting and preparing to meet new challenges head-on. For Americans watching the headlines, this is a win worth knowing—and a mission worth supporting.