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

Lawmakers push for two submarines despite US Navy seeking just one

Rep. Joe Courtney led a panel in pushing back against Navy plans to cut a Virginia-class submarine from its fiscal 2025 spending plans.

11 days ago

Navy, Marines launching study to improve readiness of amphibious fleet

The Navy and Marine Corps will dive deep into amphibious ship readiness and how that affects their ability to train sufficiently ahead of deployments.

3 weeks ago

Three takeaways from the US Navy’s first F-35C deployment

Aircraft carrier Carl Vinson returned home Feb. 14 after a six-and-a-half-month deployment to the Indo-Pacific, in the U.S. Navy’s first deployment of the “air wing of the future.”

New Naval Safety Command will help units better assess, mitigate their own risk

The newly elevated Naval Safety Command will work throughout the chain of command to identify risks at their most manageable level, before they burden units and put sailors in danger.

US Navy eyes 3D printing for submarine parts to ease burden on strained industrial base

The Navy plans to pair suppliers who cannot keep up with demand with additive manufacturing companies who can print parts around the clock to boost the supply.

Navy investigating top enlisted sailor over alleged misconduct

Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy Russell Smith is being investigated by the Naval Inspector General.

US Navy carrier Ford to go on unusual deployment this year

Ford won’t fall under the operational command of a regional combatant commander. Rather, it will conduct a “service-retained early employment” period where the Navy keeps full control over the ship’s activities and schedule.

US Navy kicks off 60-nation maritime exercise in Middle East that includes unmanned, AI tech

A massive naval exercise in the Middle East, Africa and Southwest Asia includes unmanned systems and artificial intelligence tools at the heart of many of its scenarios.

LCS Little Rock temporarily lost power during sea trials, returned to Mayport

USS Little Rock lost power and returned to port during its post-maintenance sea trials, two years after a similar incident involving its combining gear forced it to end its maiden deployment.

Navy, Marines would cut flying hours, cancel weapon purchases under full-year CR

The Navy and Marines aren't slowing their spending yet, despite worries of a full-year continuing resolution. If that CR does happen, some spending would come to a screeching halt.

Spare parts now flowing, as carrier Ford prepares for maiden deployment this year

Though the Navy had to take parts from carrier John F. Kennedy to make first-in-class Gerald R. Ford whole last fall, the Navy says it has enough spares now and won't need to cannibalize in-construction ships to support Ford's deployment this year.

Lawmakers: US submarine force can help check Russian ambitions in Ukraine

U.S. subs can help deter Russia's overall ambitions today, even as focus remains on Ukraine's ground borders as the most immediate threat to peace in Europe, American lawmakers said.

Military Times’ 2024 Service Members of the Year

From combat medic to Paralympian: What drives Ellie Marks?

The Navy petty officer ensuring the Carney stays focused on the fight