News, Articles and Comment

Ed. The author, previously the navigator on board the USS South Dakota (SSN-790) and New Jersey (SSN-796), currently pursuing a PhD in Political Science at MIT, argues that the USN has drifted into a depleted SSBN force, but prudent reforms may yet carry forward strategic deterrence. Originally published in the USNI’s Proceedings, October 2026. A 15 minute read.

Ed. With the Royal Navy declaredly pushing towards a ‘Hybrid’ fleet utilising several classes of complex ‘ship-like’ uncrewed vessels, the author, Associate Professor of International Security and Strategy at the University of Exeter, identifies key limitations of such autonomous naval systems and proposes that a lean-crewed model may instead offer distinctive advantages. A 25 minute read.

Ed. This article explores some of the undiscussed issues and challenges facing the introduction of large-scale autonomous vessels under the ‘hybrid navy’ plan. The aim of this article is not to nay say and stick one’s head in the sand, but rather to identify the very real challenges facing implementation, their limits, and the importance of maintaining capable crewed warships to restore the RN fleet as a capable naval force. A 20 minute read.

BRE. The latest book review is now available. It considers the latest edition of Geoffrey Till’s Seapower: A Guide for the Twenty-First Century.

Ed. The author argues that the RN’s shift toward a ‘hybrid’ model of crewed and autonomous systems is necessary but insufficient. As ministers warn of a worsening strategic environment and the need to be ready to fight, the Royal Navy faces an uncomfortable arithmetic: ambition exceeds resources. A 10 minute read.

Ed. The author takes a closer look at the radical implications for RN personnel branches in the Hybrid Navy model. A 10 minute read.

Ed. The author presents a cautionary note as the Royal Navy becomes increasingly reliant on technological developments: the RN’s technological modernisation must be balanced with the enduring principles of resilience, redundancy, and adaptability, which will shape the future course of British maritime power. A 20 minute read.

Ed. The expert author examines the emerging technological risks to aircraft carriers in the drone age. Originally published in the USNI’s Proceedings, February edition. A 15 minute read.

Ed. The author considers the past century of technological innovation in the USN, its impact on the Service’s officer corps and naval leadership, and proposes several possible outcomes with regard to AI integration. Originally published in the USNI’s Proceedings, December edition. A 15 minute read.