The Textron Systems Common Unmanned Surface Vehicle (CUSV), shown here, can be used for mine sweeping and neutralization. At approximately 12 meters long, the CUSV would benefit from a new “green over red” light scheme to warn civilian mariners in its operating area.

Give Mine Countermeasure USVs a New Light and Shape

MCM operations involving multiple USVs less than 12 meters long over a wide area leaves mariners visually unaware of the USVs’ restricted maneuvering status and surrounding danger.

Lieutenant Commander Matthew Hipple, U.S. Navy
December 2023
Student naval aviators operate a flight simulator for training in the T-6B Texan II. The ability to take ground school knowledge from the classroom to the cockpit is what separates future naval aviators from those who may not make it.

Tips for Earning Naval Aviator Wings of Gold

Mastering how to study for flight school is just as important as committing to regular study, and good lifestyle habits can enable a student to learn more effectively.

December 2023
A Marine from Bravo Company, 2d Recon Battalion, 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, moves through woodland areas during a rainstorm at Pelham Range, Anniston, Alabama. In planning exercises, the Marine Corps must generate realistic weather conditions that cause commanders and staffs to consider the environment as they think through the problems presented.

Prepare to Fight in Every Clime and Place

In Marine Corps exercises, environmental conditions are scripted as completely permissive or completely prohibitive. However, the environment rarely deals in absolutes.

Captain Jason R. Tyx, U.S. Marine Corps
November 2023
A marine inspector for Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Portland, Oregon, inspects the propeller and rudder of the vessel Four Seasons. A data-driven marine inspection process would put the Coast Guard’s workforce in a better position to ensure the safe operation of the Marine Transportation System.

The Coast Guard Needs Data-Driven Marine Inspections

A data-driven marine inspection workforce would allow for a deeper understanding of commercial fleets, as well as a more effective and empowered workforce.

Lieutenant Matthew Zanella, U.S. Coast Guard
November 2023
If fitness trackers such as the one pictured here can provide reliable and secure physiological data on military members, they can be a useful tool in monitoring service member health and wellness.

The Challenges of Wearable Technology

If there is a good reason to collect physiological data, the military should consider the many challenges before implementing any wearables program.

October 2023
A Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 211 F-35B Lightning II on the flight deck of HMS Queen Elizabeth in the Mediterranean in November 2021. The Lightning II community does not have enough landing signal officers (LSOs) for deployments, nor is there a clear way to solve this issue without making manpower sacrifices or funding a Marine Corps F-35B LSO school.

Fix the Marine Corps F-35B LSO Shortage

The Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II community does not have enough LSOs for deployments, nor is there a way to solve this issue without making manpower sacrifices.

Major Brian Kimmins, U.S. Marine Corps
October 2023
An F-18 Super Hornet lands on board the USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) and the USS Nimitz (CVN-68) steams nearby in the South China Sea.

Make Information Warfare the Supported Warfare Commander

The afloat information warfare team must be a presence among the other warfare commanders. Only then can IW leaders refine commander’s priorities and preplanned responses.

Commander Kevin R. Barrett, U.S. Navy
September 2023