Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- May 20, 2020

U.S. Navy sailors man M2A1 .50-caliber machine guns aboard a Mark VI patrol boat attached to Commander, Task Force 56, during an interoperability exercise in the Arabian Gulf. Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class William Carlisle. U.S. Navy

CNBC: U.S. Navy warns mariners to stay clear of its warships in the Persian Gulf

* The notice to mariners was issued to “enhance safety, minimize ambiguity and reduce opportunities for miscalculation,” according to a statement by U.S. Naval Forces Central Command.
* Tuesday’s warning comes a little over a month after the Pentagon claimed Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy took “dangerous and provocative” actions near U.S. Navy and Coast Guard ships in the Persian Gulf.

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Navy warned on Tuesday that vessels in the Persian Gulf should stay at least 100 meters away from U.S. warships or will be “interpreted as a threat and subject to lawful defensive measures.”

The notice to mariners was issued to “enhance safety, minimize ambiguity and reduce opportunities for miscalculation,” according to a statement by U.S. Naval Forces Central Command.

“Our ships are conducting routine operations in international waters wherever international law allows, and do not seek conflict, however, our commanding officers retain the right to self-defense if deemed necessary,” the statement added.

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Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- May 20, 2020

US Navy Issues New Guidelines After Close Iran Encounters -- Military.com/AP

After U.S. warning, Iran says its navy will still operate in Gulf -- Reuters

US Air Force ramps up bomber flyovers near China in sign of rising tensions -- SCMP

U.S. military faces down two challenges in western Pacific: COVID-19 and China -- Japan Times

Leaked Pentagon memo warns coronavirus pandemic could last until summer 2021: report -- The Hill

Coronavirus-stricken aircraft carrier returning to sea -- The Hill

Navy transfers 90 sailors from quarantine to USS Kidd -- UPI

Pentagon weighs 2 options for lifting troop travel restrictions -- Politico

Coronavirus' toll on the military reveals the US's flawed approach to national security -- Business Insider/Tom Dispatch

Special Operations Command wants a new sniper rifle with a new round for long-range shots -- Business Insider/Military.com

Finding NEMO: US Army Considers Replacing Aging Mortars With Finnish-Made Turreted Alternative -- Sputnik

Air Force splits nuclear weapons directorate into two focused groups -- UPI

US pilot safe after an Air Force F-35 crashed near Eglin Air Force Base in Florida -- Business Insider

Lockheed slated to miss F-35 delivery target in 2020 as supply chain struggles to keep up -- Defense News

The B-1B bomber's days may be numbered, but the US Air Force is still keeping it busy -- Business Insider

US Air Force launches Skyborg competition, artificial intelligence for loyal wingman UAV -- Flight Global

How AI Will Soon Change Special Operations -- Defense One

General Hyten Ignites Space Force’s Afterburner With His Newest Initiative -- Forbes

Researchers Use a Beer App To Track the Military and CIA -- Popular Mechanics

Women Nearly 30% More Likely to Leave the Military Than Men, New Report Finds -- Military.com

Max Rose slams 'heartless' WH decision to end National Guard deployments one day before they can claim benefits -- The Hill

Italian aircraft carrier ‘Cavour’ Completes 16 Months F-35B Upgrade -- Naval News

NATO group in Europe to receive first jointly owned aerial tankers -- Defense News

US may deploy intermediate-and shorter-range missiles in Europe, says Russian diplomat -- TASS

Russia faces biggest military security threat from western direction, says defense chief -- TASS

Russian military helicopter crashes, killing 3 crew members -- UPI

China’s military seeks bigger budget amid growing threat of US conflict -- SCMP

Maybe India Will Get Its Super F-16, After All -- Forbes

Final Air Warfare Destroyer ‘HMAS Sydney’ Commissioned in the Royal Australian Navy -- Naval News

Japanese military to receive new rifles for the first time since 1989 -- UPI

Japan suspects missile data leak in Mitsubishi cyberattack -- Fifth Domain/AP

Morocco to Acquire Missiles, Missile Defense Systems from MBDA France -- Morocco News