Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- April 20, 2017

Washington Post: U.S. defense officials may have spoken too soon, but Trump’s missing ‘armada’ finally heading to Korea

BEIJING — It was supposed to be steaming toward North Korea more than a week ago, an “armada” signaling American resolve. Then it wasn’t.

Now, it seems the USS Carl Vinson may finally be heading north.

“Our deployment has been extended 30 days to provide a persistent presence in the waters off the Korean Peninsula,” Rear Adm. Jim Kilby, commander of Carrier Strike Group One, said in a message posted on the Carl Vinson’s Facebook page and addressed to “families and loved ones” of the personnel on board.

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Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- April 20, 2017

USS Carl Vinson: White House denies being misleading about US carrier strike group's push toward North Korea -- ABC News Online

U.S. May Not Be Able to Shoot Down North Korean Missiles, Say Experts -- NBC

US dispatches ‘sniffer plane’ as site chosen for THAAD deployment -- News.com.au

U.S. house Speaker Ryan: US shouldn't rule out military force in North Korea dispute -- The Hill

US 'not trying to pick a fight' with North Korea -- DW

North Korea monitor: Nuclear site workers played volleyball when test was expected -- The Hill

In Japan, USMC F-35Bs Gearing up for Combat -- Franz-Stefan Gady, The Diplomat

Just What Were Those Russian Tu-95 Strategic Bombers Doing Off Alaska's Coast? -- Sputnik

Russia is developing hypersonic weapon system -- TASS

Russia Developing Hypersonic Weapons 'on Equal Level With United States' -- Sputnik

Armata tank field trials proceed on schedule -- TASS

Russian Baltic Fleet ships pass through English Channel -- TASS

Why Russia's Massive Zapad Military Exercises Scare the World -- Kyle Mizokami, National Interest

Chinese Military Prepares for New Cyber Focus, Streamlined Force -- Newsweek

Israeli Navy backs Netanyahu’s submarine scheme -- Defense News

Reports: German government plans cyberattack 'hackback' ahead of election -- DW

Egypt receives second German-built submarine -- UPI

ISIS Touts Chemical Weapons Attacks, But Iraqis, US Play it Down -- FOX News

US weighs giving Saudis more military aid for Yemen efforts -- AP

Marine commander in Australia says US remains committed to Asia pivot -- Marine Times

Humvees & howitzers: US approves $300mn sale of military equipment for Iraq’s Kurdish forces -- RT

Pilot error to blame for crash of U-2 trainer in September -- Air Force Times

CIA, FBI launch joint probe into federal employee behind WikiLeaks breach -- Washington Examiner

Zapping ISIS: US Army tests drone-killing laser weapon -- RT

US Army intelligence ‘bottom-up review’ underway -- Defense News

Soldiers Could Be Headed Downrange With New Body Armor By 2018 -- Task & Purpose

Marine Corps commandant wants new combat boots -- Marine Times

Posting private nude photos is now a crime in the Navy and Marine Corps -- Navy Times

Navy bans nonconsensual nude photo sharing in wake of scandal -- The Hill

The Nuclear Posture Review is underway. Here's what to look for. -- Aaron Mehta, Defense News