US Navy wins against familiar and unprecedented Red Sea threats are being driven by defense decisions it made decades ago

• The US Navy has relied on a variety of tools and systems to engage Houthi missiles and drones.
• Many of the US combat platforms and weaponry have origin stories that go back decades.
• The Navy secretary acknowledged on Wednesday the effectiveness of these systems in the Red Sea.

Decisions made decades ago are now defining the Red Sea naval battle unfolding between American forces and the Houthis, the US Navy's top civilian official said on Wednesday, highlighting the long reach of defense decision-making.