Defense Industry

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Navy’s abrupt cancellation of 16 of 20 planned Constellation-class frigates represents a watershed moment for the defense industrial base, particularly for Fincantieri Marinette Marine, the Wisconsin shipyard that won the initial contract in 2020. Navy Secretary John Phelan announced the decision via social media last week, stating: “From day one I made it clear: I won’t spend a dollar if it doesn’t strengthen readiness or our ability to win.” The announcement follows years of cost overruns and schedule delays on what was initially a $20 billion program.

After 14 years leading Leonardo DRS through significant transformation, outgoing CEO Bill Lynn recently sat down to reflect on the company’s evolution and the broader defense industry landscape. Lynn, who arrived in 2012 fresh from serving as deputy secretary of defense under President Obama, is handing the reins to Chief Operating Officer John Baylouny on January 1st. When Lynn took the helm, DRS faced a precarious situation. The company was heavily dependent on military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, and as those conflicts wound down, revenues dropped precipitously. The company had been acquired by Italian firm Finmeccanica (now Leonardo) years earlier, burdened by an overly complex security structure that magnified the revenue challenges.

Middle East Defense Industry Reaches New Heights in Global Rankings The Middle East’s defense industrial sector has achieved a significant milestone, with nine regional firms now appearing on th...

Poland Selects Swedish Saab A26 Submarine for Landmark Orka Program STOCKHOLM — The Polish government has officially selected Sweden’s Saab A26 Blekinge-class submarine for its long-awaited Orka...

The U.S. Navy is opening doors to industry this December with a strategic industry day focused on its newly restructured acquisition approach. The RCO, established by Navy Secretary John Phelan in August, represents a significant reorganization of the service’s rapid acquisition efforts. Rather than maintaining multiple specialized offices, the Navy consolidated these capabilities under a single, accountable organization led by Vice Admiral Seiko Okano, the Navy’s top uniformed acquisition official. This streamlined structure aims to accelerate the assessment, execution, fielding, and transition of urgent maritime solutions within a compressed three-year timeframe.

Archer Aviation is reshaping its business strategy by transforming its proprietary electric powertrain into a standalone product line, announcing its first major supply agreement with Anduril Industri...