2015-03-22 By Robbin Laird UID and RFID technologies have been important enablers of change in the world of logistics. But one can be forgiven for confusing the technology with the outcome. The new technologies can provide sensor data on things in motion; the challenge is to turn that data into…
2015-04-04 Recently, the second Future Force Conference was held in the Netherlands. From March 23-25 2015, the Future Force Conference was held to look at the challenge and opportunities offered by technologies to allied or enemy forces. http://www.ffc2015.com/ [caption id="attachment_76277" align="alignnone" width="240"] Dutch Chief of Staff General Middendorp. Credit: Dutch…
2015-03-19 By Robbin Laird The RAF is undergoing two fighter aircraft transitions at the same time. On the one hand, the Tornado is being retired and the Typhoon is subsuming its missions. On the other hand, the F-35B is coming to the fleet and will be working with Typhoon for…
03/30/2015: U.S. and Kuwaiti forces rehearse an amphibious landing on Failaka Island, east of Kuwait City in the Arabian Gulf. Highlights include: Kuwaiti Rigid-Hulled Inflatable Boats, Kuwaiti AH-64D Apache “Longbow” and AS 332B “Super Puma” helicopters, U.S. Navy Landing Craft Air Cushion vehicles from the USS Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready…
03/29/2015: HMAS Canberra is the latest addition to the Royal Australian Navy and introduces amphibious capability to the force. According to the Royal Australian Navy, the Canberra is an important addition to the fleet. HMAS Canberra is the lead ship of the two ship Canberra class Amphibious Assault Ships otherwise known as…
2015-03-27 By Robbin Laird The supply side of the amphibious fleet has gone down over the past two decades. The amphibious ship fleet inventory has been reduced by 50% over the past twenty years and will operate in the range of 28-33 ships in the foreseeable future. The demand side…
2015-03-27 The Japanese are deploying their largest warship in the post-war period. The ship is focused on carrying helicopters but will be operate the Osprey as well. The ship is about 250 meters and displaces 19,500 tons. According to an article published in The Asahi Shimbun on March 25, 2015…
03/25/2015: By Robbin Laird In 2007, the HMS Illustrious was the first non-US ship on which an Osprey was to land. I had the opportunity to be aboard one of those Ospreys and land on the ship and observe Marines working with the Royal Navy and operating their Harriers off of the…
