Defense News in Brief: Fifteen years young – Rubidium Fountains continue service to the Navy’s Master Clock

Source: United States Navy

WASHINGTON, D.C. – As of March 2026, the rubidium fountain clocks have met the benchmark of 15 years of continuous operation as part of the U.S. Naval Observatory’s Master Clock ensemble. Developed and built at the observatory, these clocks were originally brought online in 2011, and their integration as part of the Master Clock shortly after enabled the generation of a time-scale more precise than any other in the world, a standard that continues to be the case today.

Defense News in Brief: FLEX 2026

Source: United States Navy

U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command / U.S. 4th Fleet (USNAVSOUTH/4th Fleet) successfully concluded its annual Fleet Experimentation (FLEX) event from April 24-30. The exercise showcased the powerful integration of unmanned systems and artificial intelligence in the fight against transnational organized crime.

Defense News in Brief: Texas Returns From Deployment

Source: United States Navy

GROTON, Conn. – The Virginia-class fast-attack submarine USS Texas (SSN 775), under the command of Cmdr. Andrew S. McGovern, returned to Naval Submarine Base New London Friday, May 1, completing a six-month deployment to U.S. Southern Command area of responsibility.

Defense News in Brief: U.S. and Canadian Maritime Forces Strengthen Alliance with Atlantic Maritime Security Coalition

Source: United States Navy

NORFOLK, Va. – U.S. and Canadian maritime leadership from Commander, U.S. Second Fleet (C2F), Commander, U.S. Coast Guard Atlantic Area, (LANTAREA), Maritime Forces Atlantic & Joint Task Force Atlantic (RCN MCC and JTF-A COM), and Fleet and Maritime Security Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) convened to advance the Atlantic Maritime Security Coalition (AMSC). The coalition, formerly known as the Tri-Party Staff Talks (TPST), brings together key maritime forces to enhance collaboration and ensure interoperability between U.S. and Canadian forces.

Defense News in Brief: Exercise Obangame Express Closes the 15th Iteration in Cameroon

Source: United States Navy

Exercise Obangame Express (OE) 2026 officially concluded during a ceremony in Douala, Cameroon, host nation for the 15th iteration, April 30. The ceremony marked the conclusion of three weeks of training for participants from 30 nations across Africa, Europe, South America and the U.S. reinforcing regional collaboration and maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea.

Defense News in Brief: Decoding the Battlefield: NPS Students Develop Solution to Support Urgent U.S. and NATO Need

Source: United States Navy

Adversarial soldiers, vehicles, drones, and other assets communicating wirelessly — whether stationary or on the move in the battlefield — emit electromagnetic (EM) signals that can be detected and recorded. Because deciphering signals that are mixed together can be extremely difficult, oftentimes information about their sources is unknown.

Defense News in Brief: USS San Antonio Returns to Norfolk from U.S. 4th Fleet Deployment

Source: United States Navy

NORFOLK, Va. – First-in-class San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship USS San Antonio (LPD 17) returned to its homeport in Norfolk, Virginia, April 28, 2026, after eight and a half months at sea supporting the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group (IWO ARG) and the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU)-Special Operations Capable (SOC) mission in the U.S. 4th Fleet area of operations.

Defense News in Brief: Navy Week “tees off” in Charlotte

Source: United States Navy

The U.S Navy will arrive in the Queen City May 4-10 for the first time since 2007, offering residents a unique opportunity to meet Sailors, experience naval traditions, and gain a deeper understanding of the Navy’s role in national defense and global security.