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

Navy’s next amphibious ship named for Marines’ Helmand province fight

The Navy will honor the Marines and sailors who served in Afghanistan with the name of the next America-class amphibious ship.

2 weeks ago

Seeking to make F-35s ready for war, maintainers think outside the box

As the F-35C fleet expands at Naval Air Station Lemoore, the service and a government oversight group worry the jets aren’t available for missions enough.

7 weeks ago

Navy finalizes plans for next Rim of the Pacific exercise

The U.S. Navy and 26 of its partners and allies concluded a final planning conference for this year’s Rim of the Pacific exercise, the world's largest maritime exercise that had to be scaled down in 2020 due to COVID-19 restrictions.

US Navy considers alternatives to unmanned boats with missiles

The Navy wants to put more missile tubes out to sea by installing them on USVs. Congress isn't comfortable enough yet with the state of unmanned technology. There could be an alternate plan to make both sides happy.

Carrier George Washington running more than a year behind schedule

USS George Washington's 2021 planned completion date has been delayed to December 2022 due to growth work and labor challenges, some of which are related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Navy, Marine Corps rehearse manned-unmanned helicopter strikes

The Navy and Marine Corps demonstrated a naval manned/unmanned teaming capability, showing how their tactics and gear could come together in the future to fight in the littoral environment.

As US Navy rethinks its fleet, Ingalls Shipbuilding faces uncertain future

Over the past three years, the U.S. Navy has tightened its budget and changed its requirements, making the future look far less rosy for a division of Huntington Ingalls Industries.

Aircraft from Carrier Air Wings (CVW) 5 and 17 fly in formation over the Nimitz Carrier Strike Force on July 6, 2020, in the South China Sea.

Top Navy official says service needs a larger fleet and a larger share of the budget

If you’re confused about the size of the future U.S. Navy fleet, you’re not alone.

Navy offers a new argument for decommissioning cruisers: They’re not safe.

Congress hasn't been swayed to let the Navy decommission its cruisers early after money- and readiness-focused arguments. Now, the Navy is saying those old ships aren't safe.

Spending bill would add five ships, 12 Super Hornets to Navy acquisition plans

A federal spending package would give the Navy a significant boost in funding for ships and aircraft, after lawmakers were largely underwhelmed by the service's budget request last spring.

Oceanographers in demand as US Navy expands throughout Pacific

The workload for Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command is growing as the U.S. Navy branches out to small ports and new operating environments around the globe, according to the command’s top leader.

Navy says China fight is most likely in 2020s, sharpening its focus on readiness

The Navy believes the 2020s represent “peak risk” for China making a move against Taiwan — though the Navy and Congress disagree whether the sea service is best spending its money to prepare for a near-term fight.

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

MH-6 Little Bird’s future and Special Operations Forces aviation updates