SLDinfo.com - Second Line of Defense | Delivering Capability to the Warfighter

Re-shaping C-2: Decision Making at the Tactical Edge

05/22/2019By Robbin Laird With the introduction of new communications and video technologies, military decision making has changed over the past twenty years. A significant point of change was the introduction of Rover which created what Secretary Wynne, under whose mandate Rover was introduced, referred to as the democratization of the battlefield. In a 2012 interview with one of the key… Read more »

Manufacturing the CH-53K: Adding a Key Crisis Management Capability to the Force

05/22/2019The CH-53K provides a truly unique heavy lift capability. Not only is it fully designed to operate in a wide variety of support missions from the sea base, but it is built as a digital aircraft from the ground up. Given its digital systems, it can work with a variety of multi-mission assets to expand the range of support over… Read more »

Reshaping the Osprey Fleet: The Logistics Challenge

05/21/2019By Robbin Laird I have had the opportunity to follow the standup of the Osprey from the outset of its first deployments. Clearly, one highlight of shaping that narrative was the first time it was used in combat in Afghanistan. That interview was done by phone with Lt Col. Bianca, the squadron commander, and the sound of the Ospreys come… Read more »

Strategy, Concepts of Operations and Technology: The Challenge and Opportunity of Shaping a Distributed C2 Enabled Force

05/20/2019By Robbin Laird I would argue that the US and its allies are not so much facing a great power competition. I would refer to it as a global contest between 21st century authoritarian powers and the liberal democracies. And on each side of the competition there is significant cross learning going on. With regard to the authoritarian powers, Russia, China,… Read more »

Fighting at The Speed of Light: Making it All Work

05/20/2019By Ed Timperlake Honoring, and empowering human’s engaged in the deadly serious occupation of defending their fellow citizens as combat warriors in putting their life on the line is everything in a military analysis before any future technology discussions can begin. It is no good to talk about future technologies without starting from the nature of warfare and of human… Read more »

An Update on SP-MAGTF: From the Logistical Point of View

05/20/2019During my recent visit to Australia, a major focus of attention was upon the challenge facing the Australian Defence Force to sustain that force through a crisis period if a peer competitor was involved. And one of the speakers highlighted the significant challenge of moving beyond the Middle Eastern mindset whereby the logistical system has been set up to support… Read more »

View All »

The Strategic Shift and the Reset for Australian Defence and Security

04/26/2019The latest Williams Seminar held in Canberra on April 11, 2019 focused on the strategic shift for Australia within the context of the evolving global situation. Facing the rising challenges posed by the 21stcentury authoritarian states, and by the changing nature of alliances in the Pacific and in Europe, Australia needs to enhance its sovereign… Download PDF Now »