Tag: Maritime Security

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Scarborough Shoal: Tiny Reef, Global Stakes

A Comprehensive Series by Americans for a Stronger Navy

By Bill Cullifer, Founder – Americans for a Stronger Navy

Introduction: Why We’re Launching This Series on Scarborough Shoal

What is Scarborough Shoal?

At first glance, it’s just a triangle-shaped reef in the South China Sea, roughly 120 nautical miles west of Luzon, Philippines. No buildings. No runway. No flag.

Scarborough Shoal, courtesy of the U.S. Navy.

But don’t let its humble appearance fool you.

Scarborough Shoal is one of the most contested flashpoints in the Indo-Pacific. This seemingly minor cluster of rocks and reefs sits at the heart of one of the world’s most vital sea lanes — and could very well be the next spark in a global conflict.

What Prompted This Series

We didn’t choose Scarborough Shoal at random. This series was prompted by a disturbing escalation in Chinese maritime aggression in the South China Sea — specifically at Scarborough Shoal, a small reef with outsized strategic consequences.

Recent satellite photo of Scarborough Shoal showing Chinese vessels surrounding the reef, with overlay graphics indicating vessel positions and types

Recent events that brought this to a head include:

  • A Chinese cutter and guided-missile destroyer collided during a botched blockade attempt of Philippine Coast Guard vessels ten nautical miles off Scarborough Shoal in August 2025.
  • USS Higgins (DDG-76) sailed within 12 nautical miles of Scarborough Shoal conducting a Freedom of Navigation Operation (FONOP) — the first known U.S. military operation in at least six years in these specific waters.
  • Chinese Coast Guard harassment of Philippine resupply missions.
  • Dumping of concrete blocks — a likely signal of future construction.
  • Swarming of the area by Chinese maritime militia vessels.

The Scarborough Shoal is quickly becoming a litmus test for Chinese expansionism and U.S. resolve.

Why Now: The Wake-Up Call

Scarborough Shoal lies just 120 nautical miles off the Philippine coast — well within their Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) — and even closer to America’s red lines. When China seized de facto control of the shoal in 2012, the U.S. stood back. Many viewed this as a strategic failure of deterrence.

Now, the world is witnessing the possibility of militarization of the reef — and direct confrontation with a U.S. ally. That makes this more than a regional issue. It’s a crisis in the making.

The 2012 Standoff: A Turning Point

In April 2012, Philippine authorities attempted to arrest Chinese fishermen operating illegally in the shoal. Chinese maritime surveillance ships intervened. A tense standoff ensued, lasting weeks. The U.S. brokered a deal: both sides would withdraw.

The Philippines kept its word. China didn’t.

Instead, China took control of Scarborough Shoal, effectively barring Filipino access ever since. They now patrol it with coast guard cutters, militia fishing boats, and surveillance drones — sometimes even water cannons. Construction may follow.

A Geopolitical Tinderbox in the Sea

The South China Sea is home to trillions of dollars in annual global trade. It’s also flush with resources: fish, gas, oil, and geostrategic leverage. China claims nearly all of it under its so-called “Nine-Dash Line” — a sweeping assertion that ignores international law and overrides the rights of Southeast Asian nations like the Philippines, Vietnam, and Malaysia.

Scarborough Shoal, or Bajo de Masinloc as the Filipinos call it, lies within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ), as defined under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration definitively ruled that China’s sweeping claims in the South China Sea had no legal basis under international law.

China’s response? They ignored the ruling entirely and doubled down on their aggression.

My Perspective: This Isn’t Just a Reef

As a former Navy destroyer sailor from the 1970s, I understand how seemingly minor naval flashpoints can quickly spiral. I launched Americans for a Stronger Navy to bridge the gap between what’s happening on the water and what the American public knows.

When I began Americans for a Stronger Navy, I did so because I believed — and still believe — that Americans are not being told the full story.

Scarborough Shoal isn’t on the nightly news — but it should be.

This reef is about more than rocks and water. It’s about:

  • Sovereignty
  • International law
  • Access to critical trade routes
  • Maintaining a rules-based order
  • The failure of deterrence
  • The rise of maritime bullying
  • The fragility of global trade

And the uncomfortable question: Will America act, or will we retreat?

Why Americans Must Pay Attention

Most Americans have never heard of Scarborough Shoal, but they should. Here’s why it matters to you:

  • Over $3 trillion in trade passes through the South China Sea annually.
  • China is testing the boundaries of international law and Western will.
  • Scarborough is a potential trigger point for a wider conflict — even WWIII.
  • The U.S. Navy may be forced to act, and our sailors are on the front line.
  • Success here emboldens China’s tactics elsewhere — Taiwan Strait, East China Sea.
  • Control of Scarborough supports China’s broader Belt and Road Initiative and maritime silk road ambitions.

If you think a shoal doesn’t matter, consider this: $3.4 trillion in global trade flows through the South China Sea every year. China is attempting to rewrite the rules of international waters. And the U.S. Navy — your Navy — is the thin blue line standing in the way.

Coming Up in This Series

  • The history of Scarborough Shoal and how we got here
  • The 2012 U.S.-brokered standoff and its long-term impact
  • The 2016 international arbitration ruling and China’s defiance
  • China’s maritime militia and “gray zone” tactics
  • The importance of fishing rights, seabed minerals, and cable networks
  • Allied response frameworks: QUAD, AUKUS, and Philippines mutual defense commitments
  • The implications for the U.S., our allies, and our Navy
  • Economic warfare potential and leverage tactics
  • Technology, surveillance, and intelligence dimensions
  • WWIII scenarios — and what they could look like
  • Congressional and policy tools available (or missing)
  • What Americans know (or don’t) about this growing threat

Each post will build context and momentum — helping readers understand why this small reef could shape the future of American security strategy in Asia and beyond.

Join the Mission

Understanding Scarborough Shoal is understanding a fault line in today’s global order. This series isn’t just about sounding the alarm — it’s about equipping Americans with insight, history, and facts so we can rally support, demand accountability, and avoid miscalculation.

If we don’t understand where the storm is brewing, we won’t know when to take shelter — or when to stand our ground.

Scarborough Shoal may seem far away. But the values at stake — sovereignty, freedom of navigation, and deterrence — are right at our doorstep.

Not to inflame. Not to fearmonger. But to educate, illuminate, and inspire action.

Please follow along, share with others, and help us shine a spotlight on one of the most important — and most underreported — strategic flashpoints of our time.

Stay with us. Read. Share. Talk about it.

Because understanding this reef might just help us prevent the next war.

A Final Thought

If a reef you’ve never heard of could spark the next major war — dragging America and its sailors into the fight — doesn’t that make it worth understanding?

Let’s chart the course together.

That’s why we launched Charting the Course: Voices That Matter—a 24-part educational series breaking down how we got here, what went wrong, and what must happen next. Our goal is simple: educate the public, connect the dots, and build the support needed to close the readiness gap before it’s too late.

Let’s roll.

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The AIRCAT Bengal MC: A Game-Changer in Naval Warfare

Illustration of the AIRCAT Bengal MC, the world’s most advanced autonomous naval vessel.

Introduction

The recent unveiling of the AIRCAT Bengal MC marks one of the most significant leaps in naval technology in recent years. Developed by Eureka Naval Craft in collaboration with Greenroom Robotics and ESNA Naval Architects, this 36-meter Surface Effect Ship (SES) blends cutting-edge speed, payload capacity, modularity, and autonomous operation. Capable of operating both crewed and uncrewed, the Bengal MC is designed to execute a wide range of missions—from launching Tomahawk cruise missiles to serving as a drone mothership—at a fraction of the cost of traditional warships. For a Navy seeking to maximize agility and lethality while controlling costs, the Bengal MC may represent a new model for maritime dominance.

Advanced Design and Capabilities

At the heart of the Bengal MC’s innovation is its SES hull, a hybrid between a hovercraft and a catamaran, which reduces drag and allows speeds exceeding 50 knots. It can carry up to 44 tons—enough for two 40-foot ISO modules—while maintaining a 1,000 nautical-mile operational range. This enables deployment to distant theaters without frequent refueling.

Mission versatility is a hallmark of the Bengal MC. Configurable for troop transport, landing support, electronic warfare, mine-laying or counter-mine operations, reconnaissance, and high-speed logistics, its modular construction allows the ship to be tailored for the task at hand. It’s equipped to launch Tomahawk cruise missiles and Naval Strike Missiles, providing a level of firepower that traditionally required much larger, more expensive ships.

Autonomy and Operational Flexibility

Powered by Greenroom Robotics’ Advanced Maritime Autonomy Software (GAMA), the Bengal MC is fully capable of autonomous operation, while still offering human-in-the-loop oversight. This system was validated through the Patrol Boat Autonomy Trial, ensuring reliability in complex maritime environments. Its ability to operate autonomously means it can be deployed into high-risk zones without putting sailors directly in harm’s way, while crewed missions remain an option for complex operations.

Efficiency and Strategic Value

The Bengal MC is also designed for fuel efficiency and reduced operating costs, making it an attractive option for navies needing maximum capability per dollar spent. Its ability to replace or augment larger surface combatants with smaller, faster, more adaptable ships could reshape the way the U.S. Navy and allied forces plan their fleets. This is particularly critical in the Indo-Pacific, where speed, reach, and survivability are vital.

Why Americans Should The Bengal MC

represents a shift toward a leaner, faster, more lethal Navy—one that can respond quickly to threats without waiting for a carrier strike group to arrive. In an era where peer adversaries like China are rapidly expanding and modernizing their fleets, the U.S. must adopt innovative solutions to maintain maritime dominance. This is about more than ships; it’s about safeguarding trade routes, deterring aggression, and ensuring that America retains freedom of movement on the seas.

Implications for the Navy

For the U.S. Navy, the Bengal MC offers an opportunity to expand distributed maritime operations with high-speed, missile-capable platforms that are less expensive to build and operate. The autonomy package reduces crew demands, freeing personnel for other critical missions. In contested environments, these vessels can serve as fast-moving strike platforms, reconnaissance nodes, or logistic links—roles that support and extend the reach of larger fleet assets.

Implications for Our Allies

For U.S. allies in AUKUS, NATO, and key Indo-Pacific partnerships, the Bengal MC offers an interoperable, high-performance platform that can be rapidly integrated into joint operations. Nations like Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Vietnam, Thailand, and the Philippines—facing their own maritime security challenges—could use this vessel to augment their fleets without the heavy investment required for traditional destroyers or frigates. Greater allied adoption would strengthen collective maritime defense and create a shared technological advantage over adversaries.

Conclusion

The AIRCAT Bengal MC is more than a new ship—it’s a potential blueprint for the future of naval warfare. Fast, flexible, and autonomous, it demonstrates how advanced engineering and smart design can produce a strategic asset that meets the demands of modern maritime security. If the U.S. and its allies choose to embrace this model, it could mark a turning point in the race for naval superiority in the 21st century.

Learn More and Get Involved

At Americans for a Stronger Navy, we believe in highlighting technologies and strategies that strengthen our maritime advantage. Our mission is to educate, engage, and rally support for a Navy that can meet tomorrow’s challenges head-on. Sign up for the FREE newsletter and join our educational series.

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Russia–China Naval Patrol Near Japan: Official Assurances vs. Strategic Reality

Introduction

Russian and Chinese naval forces completed a coordinated patrol through the strategically vital Soya Strait near Japan on August 8, following their Joint Sea 2025 exercise. The three-ship flotilla—including China’s destroyer CNS Shaoxing, supply ship CNS Qiandaohu, and Russia’s destroyer Admiral Tributs—sailed eastbound from the Sea of Japan into the Sea of Okhotsk, demonstrating growing operational coordination between America’s two primary maritime rivals.

What the Numbers Tell Us

The data reveals an unmistakable pattern of escalating military cooperation:

113 joint military exercises conducted by China and Russia since 2003. The Joint Sea exercise series, launched in 2012, has now been conducted 10 times and has become what China calls “a key platform for China-Russia military cooperation.” This latest exercise (August 1-5) included sophisticated joint air defense, counter-sea, and anti-submarine operations.

While China’s Defense Ministry insists this cooperation is “not aimed at any third party” and dismisses criticism as “groundless speculation,” the operational reality speaks louder than diplomatic assurances.

Why This Matters for American Naval Power

Public statements aside, these are not ceremonial sail-bys. China and Russia are systematically deepening their operational coordination in waters that form part of America’s strategic defense perimeter in the western Pacific.

The Soya Strait—positioned between Russian Sakhalin Island and Japan’s Hokkaido—represents more than a shipping lane. It’s a critical chokepoint in the maritime geography that has historically allowed the U.S. Navy and its allies to maintain sea control in the region.

Geographic reality check: Japan, Taiwan, and the Philippines aren’t just treaty allies—they’re the geographic anchors of America’s first island chain strategy. When hostile naval forces operate in coordinated fashion near these positions, it directly challenges the maritime supremacy that has underpinned regional stability since 1945.

Strategic Implications: What the U.S. Navy Must Consider

For Naval Planning: The U.S. Navy must now prepare for scenarios where China and Russia function as an integrated maritime threat in the western Pacific. This means developing tactics for simultaneous multi-axis threats, ensuring our Pacific Fleet can maintain sea control against coordinated opposition, and investing in platforms and weapons systems designed for high-intensity naval combat.

For Alliance Management: Japan’s latest defense white paper already warns of China’s “swift” military expansion and “intensifying activities” around disputed territories. This patrol reinforces Tokyo’s concerns and validates Japan’s own naval modernization efforts.

For other regional allies, the message is clear: strategic cooperation with Washington must evolve as rapidly as the threat. Beijing and Moscow are not standing still—neither can we.

The Broader Context: Russia’s Pacific Return

Russia’s renewed naval activism in the Pacific, combined with China’s expanding blue-water capabilities, represents a fundamental shift in the regional balance of power. The Russian Pacific Fleet’s stated objectives—”maintaining peace and stability” while protecting “economic assets”—mirror the language China uses to justify its South China Sea expansion.

Bottom line: When two authoritarian powers with global ambitions coordinate naval operations near democratic allies, American naval strength becomes the decisive variable in maintaining regional stability.

What This Means Going Forward

The August 8 transit may have occurred beyond Japan’s territorial waters, but the strategic message was unmistakable. As these exercises become more frequent and sophisticated, the U.S. Navy faces a new operational reality: preparing not just for individual threats from China or Russia, but for their coordinated maritime power projection.

The choice is stark—maintain naval superiority through continued investment in platforms, training, and alliance coordination, or watch strategic competitors reshape the maritime order in the world’s most economically vital region.

For Americans who understand that naval power remains the foundation of global stability, the time for half-measures has passed.

Americans for a Stronger Navy advocates for the naval capabilities required to maintain American maritime superiority and protect our allies worldwide.

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Americans for a Stronger Navy Response to Battle of Savo Island Anniversary

Chart of the disposition of ships the night of 8 August
Bill Cullifer, Founder
Bill Cullifer, Founder

Introduction

On this solemn anniversary of the Battle of Savo Island, Americans for a Stronger Navy joins our Australian allies in remembering the courage and sacrifice of those who gave their lives in the dark waters off Guadalcanal on August 9, 1942.

The loss of HMAS Canberra and her 84 brave sailors, alongside over 900 American naval personnel, represents more than numbers—it represents the ultimate sacrifice made by free nations standing together against tyranny. This battle, while tactically a defeat, demonstrated the unbreakable bond between Australian and American naval forces that continues to secure the Pacific today.

The lessons of Savo Island—the critical importance of naval readiness, advanced training, and technological superiority—remain as relevant now as they were 82 years ago. As we face new challenges in the Pacific, from contested sea lanes to emerging threats, we honor these fallen heroes by ensuring our Navy maintains the strength, capability, and resolve they died defending.

Their sacrifice reminds us that freedom of navigation and maritime security are not abstract concepts, but principles worth defending with our lives. Today, as then, a strong Navy remains America’s first line of defense and our greatest tool for preserving peace through strength.

We stand with Australia in remembering these heroes and recommit ourselves to the naval strength that protects both our nations.

A Salute to Those Who Remember

To all who pause today to honor these fallen sailors—veterans, families, historians, students, and citizens both American and Australian—thank you. Your remembrance keeps their sacrifice alive and their lessons relevant. Whether you’re a descendant of a Savo Island survivor, a naval history enthusiast, or simply someone who understands that freedom isn’t free, your attention to this anniversary matters.

Special recognition goes to our Australian friends, military historians, naval societies, and educators who ensure these stories continue to be told. In an age of shortened attention spans, those who preserve and share naval history perform a vital service to both our nations.

Why Average Americans Should Care About the Battle of Savo Island

Economic Security The Pacific carries over $1.4 trillion in annual trade vital to American prosperity. These are the same trade routes where sailors died in 1942. Today, 40% of America’s imports cross these waters, along with critical shipping lanes for oil, gas, and renewable energy components that power our economy.

Historical Lessons for Today Savo Island showed the cost of being caught unprepared—a lesson directly applicable to current Pacific tensions. The battle demonstrated why strong allies like Australia are essential to American security, and how technological superiority matters. Japanese superiority in night-fighting capabilities led to their victory; today’s tech gaps could prove equally costly.

Personal Connection Many American families have ancestors who served in the Pacific Theater. Understanding what military service truly costs helps inform decisions about defense spending and foreign policy. The battle reminds us that the freedoms Americans enjoy came at tremendous cost and weren’t guaranteed by geography alone.

Current Relevance The same strategic waterways remain crucial to American interests today. Modern tensions in the South China Sea echo the naval competition of WWII, and historical battles like Savo Island inform current debates about naval funding and capabilities.

Strengthening Allied Partnerships

The Battle of Savo Island reminds us that America’s security depends not just on our own naval strength, but on the strength of our alliances. Today, this means:

The AUKUS Partnership with Australia and the UK builds on the naval cooperation forged in battles like Savo Island, sharing submarine technology that strengthens all three nations. Joint training exercises with Australian, Japanese, and other Pacific allies ensure we won’t repeat the communication failures of 1942 that contributed to the defeat.

Shared intelligence networks and integrated defense relationships born from WWII sacrifices now provide early warning and coordinated responses to regional threats. Allied shipbuilding and defense manufacturing strengthen both nations’ naval capabilities, creating an industrial base that supports deterrence.

The Battle of Savo Island isn’t just history—it’s a reminder that American prosperity and security depend on naval strength and strong alliances. The sailors who died there died protecting the world we live in today. Their legacy lives on not just in our memory, but in the enduring partnerships their sacrifice helped forge.

If we want peace, we must master this new domain.

It’s time to embrace it. It’s time to invest. It’s time to lead.

That’s why we launched Charting the Course: Voices That Matter—a 24-part educational series breaking down how we got here, what went wrong, and what must happen next. Our goal is simple: educate the public, connect the dots, and build the support needed to close the readiness gap before it’s too late.

Let’s roll.

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The Autonomous Revolution: Naval Warfare’s Exponential Leap

Rendering of a Blue Water Autonomous ship

Introduction

The future isn’t coming—it’s already here, patrolling our oceans with no human hands on the wheel.

Personal Reflection

Bill Cullifer, onboard USS Henry B. Wilson -DDG 7 1976
Bill Cullifer, Founder
Bill Cullifer, Founder

As someone who stood watch on a destroyer’s deck for years, I’d love nothing more than for every young American to feel the salt air, a wooden helm at their fingertips, the roll of the ship beneath their feet and the breathtaking vastness of the sea. That experience shaped my life and the life of many others that I respect and admire.

But sentiment won’t secure the future. The world has changed—and it’s time we face some hard facts.

We’re now witnessing the dawn of a radically new era in warfare. One that demands we embrace and invest in the technologies that will define the next generation of naval power.

From Science Fiction to Sea Trials

Less than a decade ago, the idea of fully autonomous warships seemed like the stuff of sci-fi. Today, the U.S. Navy’s USX-1 Defiant—a 180-foot, 240-ton vessel designed without a single human accommodation—is conducting sea trials off Washington state.

No bunks. No heads. No mess halls. Just a steel-clad, AI-powered war machine optimized purely for mission.

This isn’t incremental change. It’s an exponential leap.

The Compound Effect of Convergent Technologies

What’s driving this revolution isn’t just a single breakthrough. It’s convergence.

AI Decision-Making at Machine Speed

Ships like USS Ranger and Mariner aren’t just autonomous—they’re operational. They’ve logged thousands of miles, fired missiles, and executed missions without direct human control. Real-time, tactical adaptation is already replacing human-triggered decision trees.

Swarm Coordination Beyond Human Capability

With programs like Ghost Fleet Overlord, we’re moving toward fully integrated autonomous networks—surface, subsurface, aerial. Swarms of unmanned systems coordinating at machine speed, executing joint missions across domains.

New Physical Designs, New Possibilities

When you remove the human factor, new design freedom emerges. The NOMARS program optimizes for function over form—rapid payload reconfiguration, longer endurance, fewer constraints. Defiant doesn’t compromise. It adapts.

The Multiplication Factor

Each of these capabilities amplifies the others:

  • AI enables swarm tactics
  • Swarms generate operational data
  • That data trains the next-gen AI
  • Which enables even more sophisticated missions

The cycle is accelerating. Consider DARPA’s Manta Ray, an autonomous glider designed to “hibernate” on the seabed for months. Now picture that working in tandem with unmanned surface vessels like Defiant, and traditional submarines—all coordinating without a single sailor onboard.

The MASC Paradigm: Speed Over Paperwork

The Navy’s new Modular Attack Surface Craft (MASC) program exemplifies this exponential thinking. Instead of designing ships around specific missions, MASC creates standardized platforms that gain capabilities through containerized payloads—like naval smartphones that become powerful through modular “apps.”

With an aggressive 18-month delivery timeline and emphasis on commercial standards over “exquisite” platforms, MASC represents a fundamental shift in how the Navy acquires capability. As Austin Gray, Navy Reserve Intelligence Officer & Co-founder/CSO, Blue Water Autonomy observed: “The way Navy is approaching MASC—procuring fast, iteratively, and with focus on speed over paperwork—should offer us hope that the future of U.S. seapower is not so dim.”

This isn’t just about new ships—it’s about new thinking. MASC vessels can be missile shooters one day, submarine hunters the next, simply by swapping standardized containers. The high-capacity variant could carry 64 missiles—more firepower than many destroyers, at a fraction of the cost.

Beyond the Horizon

In 2016, Sea Hunter launched with basic navigation. By 2021, converted vessels were firing missiles. In 2025, purpose-built unmanned warships are conducting sea trials. By 2026, MASC prototypes will be delivered for fleet operations.

What’s next?

The Pentagon is backing this future with a $179 billion R&D investment focused on AI, drone swarms, and autonomous systems. The revolution isn’t limited to ships—it extends to autonomous aircraft, land vehicles, and space-based platforms.

The Inflection Point

This may be the most transformative shift in warfare since the atomic age.

But unlike nuclear weapons, which stagnated under treaties and deterrence doctrines, autonomous systems evolve constantly—learning, adapting, improving. The next five years will likely deliver breakthroughs we can’t yet fully comprehend.

We’re not just upgrading platforms. We’re creating entire ecosystems of autonomous coordination that outpace human decision-making and redefine how wars are fought—and deterred.

Welcome to U.S. Navy 3.0—a new era defined not by bigger ships, but by smarter ones.

We’ve discussed this evolution before: Navy 1.0 was sail and steel; Navy 2.0 brought nuclear power and carrier dominance. Navy 3.0 marks a transformational leap driven by artificial intelligence, autonomy, and multi-domain integration. It’s not just about replacing crewed vessels with unmanned ones—it’s about rethinking naval power from the keel up. From swarming tactics to predictive logistics and machine-speed decision-making, Navy 3.0 is our opportunity to regain the edge in a world where adversaries are building faster, cheaper, and without rules.

The Legacy Challenge

This transformation faces significant resistance. Naval culture, built around centuries of seamanship and command tradition, doesn’t easily embrace unmanned systems. The defense industrial base, optimized for billion-dollar platforms with decades-long production cycles, struggles with MASC’s 18-month timelines and commercial standards.

But operational necessity is forcing evolution. When China builds ships faster than we can afford traditional platforms, alternatives become imperatives. The question isn’t whether to change—it’s whether we can change fast enough.

The Future Is Now

This isn’t a concept. It’s not theory. It’s happening:

  • Autonomous vessels are already patrolling the Pacific
  • Underwater gliders are proving months-long endurance
  • Unmanned surface warships are rewriting the rules of naval architecture
  • Containerized missile systems are operational
  • MASC solicitations are active with near-term delivery requirements

The revolution is not ahead of us. It’s around us.

And we’ve only just left the pier.

Why Americans Should Care

Autonomous warfare isn’t just a military story—it’s a national security imperative. Adversaries like China are racing to seize the advantage in unmanned systems. Falling behind means more than losing battles—it risks losing deterrence, freedom of navigation, and geopolitical influence.

The economic implications are equally significant. Navy 3.0’s emphasis on commercial standards and distributed production could revitalize American shipbuilding, creating jobs while strengthening national security.

Implications for the Navy

To remain dominant, the U.S. Navy must rethink everything: shipbuilding timelines, training paradigms, procurement processes, and alliances. Naval power in this new era will favor speed, adaptability, and distributed lethality.

Officer career paths built around commanding ships must evolve to managing autonomous swarms. Training programs must balance traditional seamanship with algorithmic warfare. Most critically, the Navy must maintain its warrior ethos while embracing radical technological change.

A Final Word

Let’s not confuse nostalgia with readiness. The romance of the sea will always have a place in our hearts—but it won’t protect our shores.

The wooden helm and salt air that shaped naval officers for generations remain valuable experiences. But future naval leaders will find meaning in different challenges: commanding autonomous fleets, coordinating multi-domain operations, and outthinking adversaries at machine speed.

If we want peace, we must master this new domain.

It’s time to embrace it. It’s time to invest. It’s time to lead.

That’s why we launched Charting the Course: Voices That Matter—a 24-part educational series breaking down how we got here, what went wrong, and what must happen next. Our goal is simple: educate the public, connect the dots, and build the support needed to close the readiness gap before it’s too late.

Let’s roll.

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China’s Military Expansion in the South China Sea: A Growing Strategic Challenge: Mischief Reef

Introduction

The South China Sea, one of the world’s most strategically important waterways, has become the epicenter of a remarkable military transformation. Recent satellite imagery reveals the stunning scale of China’s military build-up across disputed islands and reefs, fundamentally altering the regional balance of power in ways that would have been unimaginable just two decades ago.

The Scale of Transformation

New satellite images from the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative (AMTI) paint a picture of unprecedented military expansion. China now operates a sprawling 3,200-hectare network of military bases across the South China Sea, transforming once-submerged reefs into fortress-like installations capable of hosting advanced military aircraft, including nuclear-capable bombers.

The transformation of Mischief Reef exemplifies this dramatic change. Satellite comparisons show that what was merely underwater reef in 2004 has become a massive military complex featuring:

  • Sprawling runways capable of handling large military aircraft
  • More than 72 fighter jet hangars across major island bases
  • Surface-to-air missile installations
  • Anti-ship cruise missile emplacements
  • Extensive radar and communications infrastructure
  • Large harbors for naval vessels

As Gregory Poling, director of AMTI, describes it, these bases represent “the result of the quickest example of mass dredging and landfill in human history.”

Strategic Military Assets

China’s military presence in the region has grown to encompass 27 outposts total: 20 in the Paracel Islands and 7 in the Spratly Islands. Of these, four have been transformed into fully operational naval and air bases. The sophistication of these installations became particularly evident in May 2025, when satellite imagery captured two Chinese H-6K bombers—aircraft capable of carrying nuclear weapons—stationed on Woody Island in the Paracels.

This deployment marked the first confirmed presence of China’s most advanced bombers in the region since 2020, signaling Beijing’s growing confidence in projecting power far from its mainland bases. The H-6 bombers represent a significant strategic capability, with the range to threaten U.S. military installations throughout the region and the versatility to support various military scenarios.

Regional Tensions and International Law

China’s expansion occurs against a backdrop of competing territorial claims. Beijing asserts sovereignty over nearly the entire South China Sea through its “nine-dash line” claim, which overlaps with territories claimed by Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan, and Vietnam. Crucially, a 2016 international arbitral tribunal ruled that China’s sweeping claims have no basis under international law—a decision Beijing categorically rejected.

The militarization of these features directly contradicts China’s earlier assurances. Chinese officials had previously promised that the island-building activities would not result in militarization, making the current reality particularly concerning for regional stability.

Broader Strategic Implications

These developments represent more than territorial disputes—they signal a fundamental shift in regional power dynamics. The South China Sea carries approximately one-third of global maritime trade, making control over these waters economically as well as strategically significant. China’s ability to project military power throughout the region from these fortified positions gives Beijing substantial leverage in any future crisis or negotiation.

The speed and scale of this transformation have caught many observers off guard. What began as seemingly modest construction projects has evolved into a comprehensive military network that extends China’s defensive perimeter hundreds of miles from its mainland coast. This “fait accompli” strategy has proven remarkably effective, creating new realities on the ground—or rather, on the water—that are difficult for other nations to reverse without risking major conflict.

The Challenge Ahead

For the United States and its regional allies, China’s South China Sea expansion presents a complex strategic challenge. The installations are now permanent features of the maritime landscape, defended by increasingly sophisticated military capabilities. Any attempt to challenge China’s presence directly would likely trigger a major regional crisis.

Instead, the focus has shifted to maintaining freedom of navigation, supporting allied nations’ territorial claims through diplomatic means, and developing military capabilities that can operate effectively in this new environment. The recent deployment of advanced bombers to these bases suggests that China views its South China Sea positions not as defensive installations, but as platforms for power projection throughout the broader Indo-Pacific region.

Looking Forward

The militarization of the South China Sea represents one of the most significant geopolitical developments of the 21st century. In less than two decades, China has fundamentally altered the strategic map of one of the world’s most important waterways. The satellite images that document this transformation tell a story not just of engineering prowess, but of strategic ambition that will shape regional dynamics for generations to come.

As tensions continue to simmer and new military capabilities are deployed, the South China Sea remains a critical barometer of great power competition in the Indo-Pacific. The question is no longer whether China can build and maintain these installations, but how the international community will adapt to this new strategic reality.

The implications extend far beyond the immediate region, serving as a case study in how technological capability, strategic patience, and determined action can reshape international boundaries and power balances in the modern era. For observers of international relations, the South China Sea serves as a real-time laboratory for understanding how the global order is being challenged and potentially transformed in the 21st century.

Sources: Analysis based on satellite imagery from Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative (AMTI), reports from The Independent, Defense Mirror, and other verified news sources.

That’s why we launched Charting the Course: Voices That Matter—a 24-part educational series breaking down how we got here, what went wrong, and what must happen next. Our goal is simple: educate the public, connect the dots, and build the support needed to close the readiness gap before it’s too late.

Let’s move beyond slogans. Let’s build understanding, accountability, and strength—before the next crisis comes knocking.

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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

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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

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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.

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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.