WASHINGTON, July 23 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. RL32109) entitled "Navy DDG-51 and DDG-1000 Destroyer Programs: Background and Issues for Congress". Here are excerpts of the report issued on July 22 and written by Ronald O'Rourke, specialist in naval affairs: Summary: The Navy began procuring Arleigh Burke (DDG-51) class destroyers, also known as Aegis destroyers, in FY1985, and a total of 85 have been procured through FY2020, including three in FY202  more

WASHINGTON, July 23 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R43543) entitled "Navy LPD-17 Flight II and LHA Amphibious Ship Programs: Background and Issues for Congress". Here are excerpts of the report issued on July 22 and written by Ronald O'Rourke, specialist in naval affairs: Summary: This report discusses two types of amphibious ships being procured for the Navy: LPD-17 Flight II class amphibious ships and LHA-type amphibious assault ships. Both types are b  more

WASHINGTON, July 24 -- Sen. Susan M. Collins, R-Maine, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Susan Collins, a senior member of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, announced that the fiscal year (FY) 2020 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which would authorize $731.4 billion for national defense, passed the Senate by an overwhelmingly bipartisan vote of 86-14 today. The Senate and the House of Representatives will now work to resolve the differences between their respecti  more

WASHINGTON, July 24 -- Sen. Angus S. King Jr., I-Maine, issued the following news release on July 23: U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, voted for the 2021 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The legislation includes a number of provisions proposed and advocated for by Senator King, which will support Maine jobs, bolster our national security, and boost our economy and military in the face of the challenges posed by the coronavirus pandemi  more