The U.S. Army Approach to its New Tiltrotor Aircraft

10/20/2024 By Robbin Laird FLRAA is coming at the dawn of the age of autonomous systems. It is being crafted as a manned program to operate in the con-ops of formations that will operate in the world of combined arms operations of manned systems working with autonomous ones. The Army approach encompasses the following considerations: Focus on the Platform; focus on… Read more »

Launching a New Manned Air System at the Dawn of an Age of Autonomous Systems: The U.S. Army Approach to its New Tiltrotor Aircraft

10/18/2024 By Robbin Laird The Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA) or the Army’s new tiltrotor aircraft is being designed to operate in a new world of combat, namely one in which autonomous systems will become significant players. I would argue indeed that when introducing new manned systems now and in the future, it is increasingly important to do so with consideration… Read more »

Transforming the Ready Force is the Future Force

10/16/2024 By Robbin Laird I have returned from Australia and the latest Sir Richard Willians seminar. In that seminar, we dealt with the challenge of how to enhance the ready force while investing in the future force. The modernization of the ADF is a case study in the clash between force design for an envisaged future force and the need to… Read more »

A Typhoon Reminder: Send in the Ospreys

10/15/2024 By Robbin Laird The Marines assisted in relief efforts in the Philippines after a Typhoon hit that country. And as has been done in the past, the dynamic duo of the KC-130J and the Osprey provided the means to do so. As Capt Mark McDonough noted in a 14 October 2024 story: MANILA, Philippines -- U.S. Marines across multiple forward-deployed… Read more »

The Changing Littoral Operational Context: What Role for Maritime Unmanned and Remote Systems?

10/10/2024 By Robbin Laird I had a chance to follow up with Jennifer Parker on her excellent presentation at the 26 September 2024 Sir Richard Williams seminar which focused on the evolving threat environments in the littorals and insights to be gained from operations in the Black Sea, Red Sea and the Philippine’s Sea. She argued in that presentation that new… Read more »

Defence Industry in Australia: Building Strategic Depth and Resilience in Support of the Ready Force

10/07/2024 The September 26, 2024 Sir Richard Williams Foundation focused on accelerating the capabilities of the ready force. Defence industry in Australia is obviously a key player in the ability for the government to find ways to enhance the ready force. A panel of six industrial representatives discussed this challenge lead by Katherine Ziesing of the Sir Richard Williams Foundation as… Read more »