Top U.S. Navy Live Blogs of 2013

2013 was a historic year for the U.S. Navy as the year ushered in new technologies and new fiscal challenges. As we wrap-up the year, we look back at our most read Navy Live blogs of 2013.

5. X-47B UCAS Launches the Next Era of Naval Aviation

Updated May 14 at 1:41 p.m.: The X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System demonstrator completed its first ever carrier-based catapult launch from USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) off the coast of Virginia, May 14.

By Rear Adm. Mat Winter
Program Executive Officer for Unmanned Aviation and Strike Weapons

Naval aviation will change forever Tuesday as we witness the first-ever launch of an unmanned aircraft from a modern aircraft carrier.

This launch of the X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System demonstrator will mark an inflection point in history on how we will integrate manned and unmanned aircraft on carrier flight decks in the future.

4. What You Need to Know about the NWU Type I Update

NAVADMIN 084/13 provided a summary on all Navy Working Unit Type I related guidance and announced the authorized wear of the aiguillette and the expanded wear of footwear with the NWU Type I. Below is what you need to know about the NWU Type I update...

3. Answers To Sailors’ Shutdown Questions

… The dialogue at every stop was insightful and candid. Of greatest concern was the budget and potential government shutdown. Clearly these are issues right in front of us as Fiscal Year 13 comes to an end and 14 begins. Sailors were looking to me to provide answers from inside the beltway.

On the flight back from rainy P-cola to DC, I decided to jot down some of the questions most asked-my guess is that most of you have similar questions. As I shared with Sailors on Tuesday, I don’t have all of the answers, but I will share what we know, and be upfront on what we don’t know yet…

2. Government Shutdown: Where We Are After Week One

Shipmates, as we head into week two of the shutdown, your feedback makes it clear that there remains much anxiety across the Fleet.

Despite uncertainty over how long this will last, the past week wasn’t without some good news. The majority of our civilian teammates returned to work and we continue to receive more and more spending authority under the Pay Our Military Act. But we are not where we want to be and here’s the latest from my perch…

1. Department of the Navy Response to Sequestration

This message was sent to all Navy and Marine units by Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus. On March 1, sequestration was enacted — necessitating the following actions…

Which blog was most informative? Let us know by commenting below.