Megan Eckstein

Naval warfare reporter

Megan Eckstein is the naval warfare reporter at Defense News. She has covered military news since 2009, with a focus on U.S. Navy and Marine Corps operations, acquisition programs and budgets. She has reported from four geographic fleets and is happiest when she’s filing stories from a ship. Megan is a University of Maryland alumna.

All Stories By Megan

House panel takes aim at Navy size, new capabilities in defense bill

Here are some of the issues House lawmakers take issue with, in regard to the Navy's fleet plans.

4 days ago

US Navy’s submarine fleet is too small. Here’s how selling some may help.

The U.S. Navy’s fleet includes 49 attack submarines, despite a formal requirement for 66. It’s also facing crewing and maintenance problems.

9 days ago

What’s new in Navy and Marine Corps unmanned boats

The more the Navy experiments with unmanned systems, the more it's learning what it needs — and what it doesn't.

Navy says it will lose millions by not committing to 10 destroyers in upcoming contract

The U.S. Navy doesn’t want to over-commit to buying too many ships in the next five years, in case it can’t follow through due to fiscal or supply chain issues. That will cost the service millions of dollars.

Navy effort to cancel LCS mission package triggers new cost breach

A decision to cancel the technically challenged ASW mission package raised the per-unit cost overall for the mission modules program, resulting in a Nunn-McCurdy breach the Navy reported to Congress May 13.

An unarmed Trident II missile launches from Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine USS Maine (SSBN 741) off the coast of San Diego on Feb. 12, 2020

The Navy doesn’t want nukes on ships, despite interest from some combatant commanders

The Navy says forcing surface ships or attack submarines to haul around nuclear-tipped missiles would be feasible, but would be a burden in a time with many more pressing missions and no extra money to spare on lesser priorities.

First LCS deploys to European waters in 6th Fleet

The Florida-based Freedom-variant LCSs have only operated in local waters and in Central and South America until now, two years after an LCS was originally planned to deploy to 6th Fleet for the first time.

US Navy envisions larger fleet despite long-range plans reflecting budget crunch

The Navy is heading toward a fleet size that its top officer admits “nobody likes.”

Navy, Marines integrating expeditionary forces into traditional amphibious operations

The expeditionary warfare community is eyeing ways to bring all its forces to bear in future operations, with exercises combining Marines with special operations forces, mine countermeasures sailors and Seabees.

Combined Maritime Forces establishes new naval group to patrol Red Sea region

U.S. 5th Fleet and the multinational Combined Maritime Forces are standing up a new task force for Red Sea region security, following the success of recent task forces in recent years.

Surface Navy tackling diversity as part of push for better retention, leadership

The surface Navy has previously focused attention on mariner skills and warfighting tactics. It now wants to address leadership and character, with diversity playing a key role in that discussion.

Amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4), Fleet replenishment oiler ship USNS Tippecanoe (T-AO 199) and amphibious transport dock ship USS John P. Murtha (LPD 26) transit the Strait of Hormuz on Aug. 12, 2019.

Some lawmakers back Marines in disagreement over Navy amphib force

The two top lawmakers on the HASC seapower subcommittee want to continue LPD amphibious ship construction, which the Marine Corps supports but the Navy wants to cancel.

First Look — 'Erased: WWII's Heroes of Color'

SOF Week highlights and AI-driven fighter jets | Defense News Weekly Full Episode 5.11.24

Financial Tips for Transitioning from Military to Civilian Life — Money Minute