Opening the Aperture on Force Integration

12/11/2023
By Robbin Laird The strategic shift from the priority on the land wars to dealing with a world of multi-polar authoritarians and a diversity of contingency operations requires significant operational change in the force. Because MAWTS-1 is focused on standardized training for the operational force, they have an open aperture…

Devil Ray and Switchblade Combine to Create New Strike Capability at Sea

12/08/2023
In an article by John Trevithick published on November 2, 2023, the author highlighted the weapons/platform combination represented by the Devil Ray USV with the Switchblade UAV: “The U.S. Navy drone speedboat armed with Switchblade 300 loitering munitions was able to successfully destroy multiple mock targets at sea during a recent test.…

Expanding the Assault Support Mission to a Broader Mission Set

12/08/2023
By Robbin Laird During my November 2023 visit to MAWTS-1, I had a chance to meet with Maj Nicholas Peters to discuss the activities of the assault mission training part of MAWTS-1. Maj Peters is the Assault Support Department Head. While the traditional image of assault support remains a key…

The Replicator Project: In Search of a Con-Ops and a Manufacturing Base

12/06/2023
By Robbin Laird In August 2023, Deputy Secretary of Defense Hicks announced a new "replicator" project or initiative. As she said in her speech: "At DoD, we’ve already been investing in attritable autonomous systems — across the military services, DIU, the Strategic Capabilities Office, and the combatant commands themselves —…

Eric Trappier’s Perspective on French Arms Exports and Cooperation: December 2023

12/06/2023
By Pierre Tran Paris - The wars in Ukraine and Gaza have not fueled fresh sales of the Rafale, Eric Trappier, executive chairman of Dassault Aviation, prime contractor for the French-built  fighter jet, said Dec. 5. “These two crises are very hard, very sad, (but) there has been no impact,”…

Crafting a Sustainable Distributed Force: Maintenance and Logistics Challenges

12/05/2023
By Robbin Laird Each of the services is seeking ways to distribute their force for survivability and presence, but at the same time working through a joint lens to enhance lethality. But the elephant in the room is sustainability, maintainability, and broader considerations of logistics support. When visiting PACFLEET and…

C3 and the Way Ahead for the USMC: The Perspective from the C3 Department Head at MAWTS-1

12/04/2023
By Robbin Laird C3 is the key tissue allowing for the shaping of a distributed force which can be integrated to create the desired combat effect. During my November 2023 visit to MAWTS-1, I discussed the way ahead in this crucial area with Major Christopher Werner, the C3Department Head. Werner…