GovernmentNews

U.S. Navy R&D Center Closed by Hurricane Michael

By MarEx 2018-10-17 21:13:00

Hurricane Michael took a heavy toll on the USAF's Tyndall Air Force Base at Panama City, Florida, as has been well-publicized in the media. But damage to the U.S. Navy's surface warfare research center at Panama City could also have serious implications. It was the only Navy installation to evacuate in advance of the storm, and it is still closed to all but the most essential personnel. In a notice to servicemembers on Sunday, the command said that most servicemembers and employees...

Maritime Trade Route Facilitates Africa's Growing Drug Problem

By MarEx 2018-10-17 19:54:47

Sub-Saharan Africa will experience the largest rise in illicit drug users globally in the next three decades. Findings from an ENACT transnational organized crime project forecast that East Africa will be hit the hardest, with the proportion of people using illicit drugs increasing faster than other regions. This spike is due largely to changes in drug flows, urbanization and the large youth population. ENACT is funded by the E.U. and run by Interpol and the Institute for Security Studies (ISS)...

Trump Administration Considers Naval Bases for Coal, LNG Terminals

By MarEx 2018-10-15 20:56:00

U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke has expressed an interest in using military or government properties on the West Coast to handle U.S. coal or natural gas exports, thereby circumventing local opposition to fossil fuel projects. "I respect the state of Washington and Oregon and California," Secretary Zinke told the AP in an interview. "But also, it's in our interest for national security and our allies to make sure that they have access to affordable energy commodities." Zinke suggested...

The condition of the K-27 submarine, which the Soviet Navy scuttled in the waters off Novaya Zemlya. Credit: IBRAE

Russia Updates Maps of Radioactive Debris Sunk in Arctic

By Charles Digges 2018-10-15 17:55:33

Russian scientists have said that radioactive waste sunk in the Arctic by the Soviet Navy has not leaked any contamination, but have urged Moscow to continue funding observation of the underwater nuclear wrecks. Data on the scuttled cargoes –– which includes several thousand containers of radioactive waste, as well as an entire nuclear submarine –– come from a month-and-a-half-long expedition in the Kara Sea conducted by the Russian Academy of Sciences Institute of Oceanology. Mikhail Flint, the institute’s head, told...

UK test pilot Peter Wilson, prepares to take off.

New Method for Landing Jets on HMS Queen Elizabeth Trialed

By MarEx 2018-10-15 17:34:13

A new method for landing an F-35 Lightning fighter jet on a ship has been carried out for the first time on board the U.K.’s new aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth. The first rolling vertical landing was undertaken by test pilot Peter Wilson on the weekend. Previously the jets have only conducted vertical landings, hovering by the side of the ship before moving sideways over the deck and gently lowering down. A rolling landing however requires the jet to make a...

Five Lighthouses in Florida Keys May Go Up for Auction

By MarEx 2018-10-15 16:56:00

The U.S. Coast Guard has determined that five lighthouses off the Florida Keys are "excess" to its needs, and it is planning to hand them over to another organization. The islands mark hazards to navigation near the islands of Key Largo, Islamorada, Marathon, Sugarloaf Key and Sand Key. Ideally, the USCG would like to pass their ownership to a non-profit or to another government agency. If it cannot, reports the Miami Herald, the General Services Administration (GSA) will sell them...

Will Saudi Arabia Politicize its Oil Exports?

By MarEx 2018-10-15 11:00:46

On Sunday, in an abrupt reversal from its recent announcement of increased oil exports, a senior official with the administration of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman made an oblique reference to the kingdom's ability to throttle down the world's oil supply if threatened. Just last week, Prince Bin Salman emphasized his willingness to boost oil exports to offset the drop in supply from Iran, which faces renewed U.S. sanctions. In a recent interview, Bin Salman said that Riyadh has more than accommodated...

Canada Invests in Double-Hulled Barges for Northern Fuel Deliveries

By MarEx 2018-10-13 19:51:57

Canada's Michael McLeod, Member of Parliament for Northwest Territories, has announced an investment of $19.5 million to construct four double-hulled barges that will deliver fuel to Northern communities. Currently, fuel is carried to some Northern communities, particularly those along the Mackenzie River watershed, in single-hulled barges. The new double-hulled barges are anticipated to minimize the risk of a fuel spill and improve the safety of community resupply operations. The four new double-hulled barges will be designed for safe operations...

The Bullet That Swims

By MarEx 2018-10-13 19:32:03

The U.S. Navy and Norwegian defense group Nammo have developed a super-cavitating bullet that can travel through water. While traditional ammunition is either stopped or deflected when it hits water, Nammo’s 30 mm Swimmer (APFSDS-T MK 258 Mod 1) swims straight through it. Nammo says the U.S. Army and the U.S. Navy are now adopting the Swimmer for use from many platforms, including the US Army’s latest addition, the Stryker variant known as “Dragoon.” ...

U.S. Navy Turns 243 “Ready to Fight”

By MarEx 2018-10-13 19:02:58

The U.S. Navy’s top leaders sent messages to the fleet on the Navy’s 243rd birthday, with Secretary of the Navy Richard V. Spencer saying in a message to the fleet that the Navy is ready to fight, respond and defend wherever there is need but it needs to do it with a sense of urgency and efficiency. “Because of your hard work and dedication, the foundation for restoring readiness and increasing lethality has been set. But as we enter our...