Robbin Laird, Author at Second Line of Defense

Singapore Summit: The Triumph of Hope over Experience?

Posted on June 12, 2018 | by Robbin Laird | Leave a Comment

06/12/2018

By Richard Weitz

Although the results of the summit are still unclear given the vague joint statement and lack of North Korean comments, on the surface it looks like President Trump made major concessions now in order to achieve hoped-for US gains later.

The mere fact that the presidential summit occurred—the first between a sitting U.S. president and a North Korean leader–represents a gain for Kim, who can act as an equal with the president of the United States.

The North Korean leader also did not overtly commit to complete, verifiable, irreversible, and permanent disarmament.

Even the timing of the first step—the DPRK’s declaration of its current nuclear assets and activities—is unstated.

As expected, the US does not appear to have pressed North Korea on human rights, cybercrimes, and other bad behavior. These issues may be raised, if not resolved, in later DPRK-US, and eventually multilateral, discussions.

More surprising, rather than declare a relaxation of some US sanctions, Trump announced that he would suspend ROK-US military exercises.

Their cessation would be welcome in Moscow and Beijing but will generate alarm among some US allies since the reason Trump gave for their halt—namely, to save money–could apply to any US foreign military drill.

Yes, military exercises cost money, but they also serve an important deterrence, reassurance, and readiness function.

The extent to which the White House informed allies in advance of this possible suspension also is unclear, though the BBC says that the Chinese apparently knew about the cessation in advance.

Fortunately, as President Trump himself noted, this concession is easy to reverse if North Korea resumes its provocations.

The presumption is that North Korea will continue to freeze its nuclear and long-range missile tests or risk a resumption of these drills, more US sanctions, and perhaps US direct action.

US sanctions relief may occur as Pyongyang takes actually steps towards eliminating these capabilities.

Unfortunately, China and Russia will likely exploit the joint DPRK-US statement and other declarations of intent to justify relaxing sanctions on the DPRK, with little likelihood that they will return any time soon.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson already offered this position before the summit.

That said, Trump’s emphasis on how the supposedly growing trust between the US and DPRK governments will ensure verification seems misplaced—with effective means of verification, such as onsite inspection, you don’t need trust, which is likely unattainable between these two countries given their lengthy history of conflict.

It is puzzling, however, why many of these concessions—the end of US-South Korean exercises, further North Korean disarmament measures, and other issues raised in Trump’s news conference—were not mentioned in the joint statement. It might be a few more days until we know the details of what actually occurred.

This is the pattern followed by previous denuclearization agreements with North Korea. In the past, the signatories would agree to sweeping declarations of intent, but then the deals would collapse at the level of implementation, with both sides accusing the other of bad faith.

One recalls then Russian Prime Minister Viktor Chernomyrdin’s remarks about Russian reform efforts: “We wanted to do better, but it turned out as always” (Хотели как лучше, а получилось как всегда).

In all likelihood, the only enduring solution to the North Korean challenge is regime change, reunification, and the transformation of both Koreas into something that looks like a larger version of contemporary South Korea.

Of course, conditions are somewhat different this time than with previous failed efforts at reconciliation—there is a new leader in Pyongyang, the sanctions imposed on North Korea are greater than ever, and the Chinese and Russians are overtly anxious at Trump’s cultivated reputation for unpredictability and shooting from the hip.

The featured photo shows Dr. Weitz presenting a lecture on Korean nuclear issues to a group of young South Korean defense experts while visiting the Hudson Institute last year.

MAWTS-1 and the Ground Combat Element

Posted on June 12, 2018 | by Robbin Laird | Leave a Comment

By Robbin Laird

During my visit to MCAS Yuma in early May 2018, I had a chance to talk with several components of MAWTS-1.

We recently published the interview with the MAWTS-1 Commanding Officer prior for his departure to his next assignment.

Colonel Wellons highlighted the importance of readiness for the Marines who would come into MAWTS-1 to get the advanced training one gets at MAWTS.

He noted that there was a significant downturn in readiness, which is now on the upswing.

“During this last WTI course we had the highest level of readiness that I think we have ever seen for our fixed wing fleet, and our pilots are back above 20 hours a month across all communities.

“I would caution that we view this readiness recovery as fragile at this point, but it is definitely headed in the right direction.”

There is also the question of training for readiness for what?

What I found most impressive about the work going on at MAWTS was the focus on getting ready to fight with the force you have for the next war.

There was clearly a recognition of the strategic shift facing the liberal democracies and the need to prepare to fight in contested areas with the means which peer competitors can bring to the fight.

This is a work in progress, but innovations being introduced by the Marines are driving change throughout the joint force.

For the Marines, the Osprey has driven significant change in terms of the reach of the Ground Combat Element; now the F-35 is empowering the air-ground team in new ways.

And next up will be the CH-53K, which will both benefit from the transformation of the Marine Corps but also contribute to it as well.

And certainly as MAWTS gets its hands on the CH-53K it will be shaped as a combat platform by the overall transformation of the Marine Corps.

A key element of the transformation is working a digital interoperable force, which can operate, effectively in a contested environment and to do so by highlighting force mobility and capability to operate as a distributed force.

All of these elements of change were on display at MAWTS-1 when I was there.

Perhaps no more so than in my discussions with two leaders of the Ground Combat team at MAWTS, Major Brian Green and Captain Thomas Fields.

The Ground-training element within MAWTS is a small part of the overall training of the Ground Combat Element in the USMC, and represents a special part of the overall effort.

The focus is upon exposing the GCE to the wide variety of air assets which can be brought into to support the GCE both within the MAGTF as well as from the Joint Force.

As Captain Fields put it: “We get a MEBs worth of aircraft for a WTI course, which is something our ground combat forces will not normally see.

“And they will get exposure as well to the other services air assets, which can be brought to bear on the battlespace.

“They get to understand that capability before they actually might employ it in the future.”

The involvement of the GCE has gone through an evolutionary process.

According to the officers, it started with the involvement in 1988 of company working with MAWTS-1 a decade after MAWTS-1 had been established.

They participated but were not well integrated.

Then the GCE was upsized at WTI to a battalion level and the Marines began to operate the TALON Exercise, which is a ground combat exercise, concurrently with WTI and thereby providing exercise space for more interactive learning.

With the coming of the new air systems to the Marines, and the central focus on digital interoperability, this interactive space becomes even more important in shaping concepts of operations and real world operational capabilities to deliver a more lethal force operating in the distributed battlespace.

Another part of the challenge is the return to the sea.

Major Green has significant at-sea experience, and with the emphasis on the return to the sea this means that the Navy needs to focus on its amphibious warfare skills as the Marines bring new approaches and capabilities to the sea base as well.

And this is clearly a work in progress, because with the decade of the land wars, skills in the amphibious are have been downplayed and some key skills atrophied.

This means the work at MAWTS-1 also needs to take into a account the return to the sea and applying MAGTF integration to the sea base as well, which is clearly a work in progress as well.

Another key element of the work in progress is the introduction of digital interoperability as key line of development for the USMC.

Clearly, this is not just about the equipment but the soldiers working the equipment and learning how to maximize benefits from digital interoperability as well as to work with the downsides of data as well.

Major Green noted that there is a generation challenge associated with this.

“The younger generation are digital natives; the older officers are not.

“The senior level is wrapping their heads around the transition and working the challenge, but it is a challenge as well.”

An aspect of the training at MAWTS with the ground units, which come into the WTI course, is that they will study the same curriculum as the aviation community for the first two weeks of the 7 week course.

As Major Green put it: “We provide the same read aheads to the infantry as we do for the aviators.

“And we hold them to the same standards during the first two weeks of the course as well.”

After those first two weeks, the groups break out around their specific platforms but informed by the overall direction, which the Corps is taking with regard to cutting edge performance for the MAGTF.

The focus is not upon specialty or MOS training for the ground component, but certification as fire support team leaders.

And again, because of the wide panoply of aviation assets the ground force will see during the course and into the exercise, the notion of fire support becomes broadened as new capabilities are seen and understood.

As Major Green noted with regard to GCE involvement in MAWTS-1:

“We run two courses a year in conjunction with WTI. We typically have between 10 to 14 students tops.”

The target goal of the effort was highlighted by Captain Fields:

“When we receive our ground combat Marines, we will return them to their units in seven weeks and we’re going to return a subject matter expert on integration between air and ground assets and how to take a ground scheme maneuver and know how to integrate aviation assets to best support the ground scheme of maneuver in terms of fires, assault support, and sustainment.”

In short, MAWTS-1 provides a venue for the cross training which makes MAGTF innovation possible.

And with the strategic shift away from the counter-insurgency effort, there will be significant demands on the innovation curve.

The slideshow highlights training in April 2018 based at TwentyNine Palms focused on ACE and GCE integration. The photos are credited to MAWTS-1.

The Strategic Shift: The Challenge of Mobile Basing

Posted on June 9, 2018 | by Robbin Laird | Leave a Comment

06/09/2018

By Robbin Laird

The strategic shift is a crucial one for the liberal democracies. That strategic shift is from a primary focus on counter insurgency and stability operations to operating in a contested environment with high tempo and high intensity combat systems as a primary tool set.

It is about managing conflict with peer-to-peer competitors.

On the one hand, the military capabilities are being reshaped to operate in such an environment, and there is a clear opportunity to leverage new platforms and systems to shape a military structure more aligned with the new strategic environment.

On the other hand, the civilian side of the equation needs even more significant change to get into the world of crisis management where hybrid war, multi-domain conflict and modern combat tools are used.

The most recent Williams Foundation seminar focused on the strategic shift and highlighted the various challenges and dynamics of change facing Australia and its allies.

One aspect of the change which I have observed and discussed during my visits to Finland, the United Kingdom, Australia and to MCAS Yuma is the importance of being able to do mobile basing. At the Williams Foundation Seminar in Canberra in March 2018, the 11th USAF Commander, Lt. General Kenneth Wilsbach, highlighted the nature of the challenge requiring the shift to mobile basing as follows:

“From a USAF standpoint, we are organized for efficiency, and in the high intensity conflict that we might find ourselves in, in the Pacific, that efficiency might be actually our Achilles heel, because it requires us to put massive amounts of equipment on a few bases. Those bases, as we most know, are within the weapons engagement zone of potential adversaries.

“So, the United States Air Force, along with the Australian Air Force, has been working on a concept called, Agile Combat Employment, which seeks to disperse the force, and make it difficult for the enemy to know where are you at, when are you going to be there, and how long are you are going to be there.

“We’re at the very preliminary stages of being able to do this but the organization is part of the problem for us, because we are very used to, over the last several decades, of being in very large bases, very large organizations, and we stove pipe the various career fields, and one commander is not in charge of the force that you need to disperse. We’re taking a look at this, of how we might reorganize, to be able to employ this concept in the Pacific, and other places.”

At the Williams seminar was the Chief of Staff of the Finnish Air Force and he was there in part to highlight the importance of living in a contested region and the importance of being prepared for force mobility.

And when I was in Finland in February, I talked with his predecessor, Lt. General Kim Jäämeri, who is now Deputy Chief of Staff, Strategy for the Finnish Defence Forces and he highlighted the distributed operations aspect of the Finnish approach.

“It is becoming clear to our partners that you cannot run air operations in a legacy manner under the threat of missile barrages of long range weapons.

“The legacy approach to operating from air bases just won’t work in these conditions.

“For many of our partners, this is a revelation; for us it has been a fact of life for a long time, and we have operated with this threat in the forefront of operations for a long time.”

The 11th USAF Commander mentioned working with the RAAF with regard to agile basing and during a visit to Amberley Airbase just before the Williams Foundation seminar in March 2018, we met with the Commander of the RAAF’s Combat Support Group, Air Commodore Ken Robinson at his office at RAAF Amberley.

We discussed mobile basing as an emerging requirement for the Australian forces as well.

“We are having to reacquaint ourselves with some tasks and challenges which we parked to the side a bit while we were in the Middle East for so long. We did not have to worry so much about mobile basing to counter the principal threats in that theatre.

“The mindset is in transition now.”

He underscored that this clearly is an Army and Air Force challenge.

“We are good at supporting maneuver with our tactical transport aircraft and Australia’s Army aviation capability, including the Tiger Reconnaissance Helicopter, but what we need to do is move to the next level of support to maneuver the most lethal part of our air power capability across a range of airfield options.”

Core capabilities such as providing fuel for air systems when operationalized for a mobile airbasing force on Australian territory are clearly different from supporting a fixed airbase.

For example, “expeditionary fuel capabilities is something that’s very much on the forefront of my mind. Lean and agile support packages to operate expeditionary airfields are also key, so that we can offer the best possible maneuver options to the aviators without tying down strategic airlift.”

The mobile basing issue or building greater depth in Australian territorial defense is one of the core choices facing Australia as it continues its force modernization. Either they can emphasize going deeper into the air-maritime domain in the Pacific or augment significantly their mobile defense capabilities leveraging the vast Australian territory. The role of active defenses working with airpower mobility would be a priority in this second case.

Mobile basing is obviously as well an air-maritime-army effort to shape a chessboard of capabilities which can deal with the threats of peer competitors which deploy into the extended battlespace.

My recent visit to the United Kingdom where I saw once again the USS Queen Elizabeth reinforced this point.

As the UK works through its post-Brexit defense policy, the role of the Nordics is of increasing significance and with that more emphasis on the Northern Tier.

The new Queen Elizabeth carriers are clearly very relevant to Northern Tier Defense and Mediterranean operations.

And as a senior UK official put it during my visit in May to Portsmouth:

“The carriers will be the most protected air base which we will have.

“And we can move that base globally to affect the area of interest important to us.

“For example, with regard to Northern Europe, we could range up and down the coastlines in the area and hold at risk adversary forces.

“I think we can send a powerful message to any adversary.”

The UK is working closely with the Marines who have mobile basing in their DNA.

And my visit to MAWTS underscored that the USAF is working more closely with Marines as well on the issue of mobile basing.

Mobile basing is different from expeditionary basing. In the latter case, the USAF is operating from a large base but not in the US; in the former case they are moving throughout the battlespace to engage the adversary.

And the recent USMC training exercise, which they call WTI, emphasized the very concept of mobility and strike from mobile bases.

The F-35B was at the heart of being able to do so, but mobility requires a focus on support, which is integrated to the point of operation, rather than focused on having a series of Walmarts and maintainers with accounts at a Walmart store.

It is about reshaping logistics to enhance operations to the point of attack, and this will be a major challenge to how the US focuses on its support structure for F-35.

As Col. Wellons, the CO of MAWTS-1 until very recently, noted in an interview at MCAS YUMA:

“The advent of the F-35 has really accelerated our close working relationship with the USAF. The standup of F-35 was “joint” from the very beginning, and the USMC has been aggressive with the stand up of our operational F-35s – the first of all the services to declare IOC, deploy overseas, and conduct weapons school courses with the F-35.

“As a result, we have been at the forefront of lessons-learned with the aircraft in terms of sustainment, deployability, expeditionary operations and tactical employment.”

In short, the strategic shift will highlight core competencies and capabilities such as mobile basing.

And the transition will not be an easy one either for the warriors or the decision-makers in Washington or elsewhere.

The featured photo shows a U.S. Marine team leader with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 211 directs a F-35 Lightning II assigned to Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron One (MAWTS-1) during a hot load exercise in support of Weapons and Tactics Instructor Course (WTI) 2-17 at Yuma Proving Grounds, Ariz., April 13, 2017.

Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron One (MAWTS-1) conducted the first independent Distributed STOVL Operation (DSO) by flying all ordnance, personnel, and fuel in on mission aircraft. Marines employed the manual drive assembly to load all up rounds using a short airfield for tactical support (SATS) loader.

The slideshow adds additional photos of this part of the WTI training.

WTI is a seven-week training event hosted by MAWTS-1 cadre, which emphasizes operational integration of the six functions of Marine Corps aviation in support of a Marine Air Ground Task Force and provides standardized advanced tactical training and certification of unit instructor qualifications to support Marine Aviation Training and Readiness and assists in developing and employing aviation weapons and tactics. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Clare J. Shaffer)

This story was first published by our partner Breaking Defense under the title: Carriers are Not the Only Big Targets: The Challenges of Mobile Basing.

Colin Clark, the editor of Breaking Defense introduced the piece as follows:

For years, we’ve heard about how vulnerable aircraft carriers are to enemy fire.

They’re big.

They’re not that fast — compared to a missile.

But a big airbase isn’t exactly mobile.

While it can be hardened, its location is well known.

So, this year the Pentagon requested $361 million for deployable airbase systems as part of the European Reassurance Initiative. And in this week’s National Defense Authorization Act, the Senate Armed Services Committee says it wants the Pentagon to spend $157 million to buy seven deployable airbase systems for the Pacific theater.

Why?

“U.S. force posture in the Indo-Pacific region remains heavily concentrated in Northeast Asia within range of China’s advanced arsenal of ballistic and cruise missiles, posing a significant risk” to Indo-Pacific Command’s forces.

In this op-ed, Robbin Laird, a member of the Breaking Defense Board of Contributors, widens the aperture and looks at the cases of Finland and Australia and discusses why mobile basing is so important and what must be done.

Read on! The Editor.

The Dambusters Arrive at RAF Marham on the D-Day Anniversary

Posted on June 8, 2018 | by Robbin Laird | Leave a Comment

06/08/2018

The importance of the arrival of the F-35s within the overall context of UK defense transformation was highlighted by a UK Ministry of Defence article published on the day of the arrival of the jets at RAF Marham,

The first of Britain’s next-generation fighter jets have arrived home two months ahead of schedule in a major milestone for the Royal Air Force and Royal Navy.

The first four of Britain’s new cutting-edge aircraft arrived into RAF Marham their new home in Norfolk. They touched down at 20.15 after a trans-Atlantic flight from the United States, where Britain has more of the jets and 150 personnel in training.

The F-35s took off from Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort earlier today and were flown by British pilots of the newly-reformed 617 Squadron, which was immortalised by the famous Dambusters’ raid of World War II.

Welcoming the news, Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson said:

“These formidable fighters are a national statement of our intent to protect ourselves and our allies from intensifying threats across the world. With a game-changing ability to collect crucial intelligence, fight wars and tackle terrorism, these are the most advanced jets in British history.

“The work that’s gone into their early arrival shows they have the people to match. Our defence industry and military have always been at the very forefront of technology, and today’s momentous arrival of these incredible jets shows we are upholding our proud tradition of innovation while keeping Britain safe from the gravest of dangers.”

Defence Minister Guto Bebb said:

“The F-35 will form the backbone of our air power for decades to come, and its arrival in the UK during the 100th anniversary of the RAF marks a truly historic moment.

“In the face of growing threats, these fighter jets demonstrate our commitment to provide our Armed Forces with the cutting-edge technology they need to keep our people safe at home and abroad.”

The F-35s’ arrival in the UK two months ahead of schedule provides an opportunity for support staff to get a head-start in getting the aircraft ready for operational service at the end of this year.

Around £550m has been invested in RAF Marham as part of a major change programme to get the base ready to house the new jets. The base has seen an upgrade in facilities, resurfaced runways and the addition of new landing pads to accommodate the jet’s ability to land vertically.

Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Hillier said:

“In the RAF’s centenary year, it’s great to see the most advanced and dynamic fighter jet in our history arrive today at RAF Marham – and with the modern Dambusters in the cockpit, this homecoming truly feels like an historic moment in British airpower.

“If you can’t see us coming, you won’t be able to stop us, so with its stealth and other world-beating technologies the F35 Lightning takes the Royal Air Force and Royal Navy to a whole a new level of capability.”

This autumn, the first landing of the F-35 will take place on HMS Queen Elizabeth in the next phase of trials. Having both ship and aircraft operating together for the first time will be another significant moment for the Armed Forces.

The first 617 Squadron F-35B, Lightning II aircraft are make their way across the Atlantic ocean to their new home at RAF Marham. The first RAF F-35B, Lightning II aircraft have taken a transatlantic journey to their new home of RAF Marham, on the recently reformed 617 Squadron. Supported by Voyager air to air refuelling aircraft from 101 Squadron RAF Brize Norton, the four aircraft have journeyed from United States Marine Corps Base Beaufort, in South Carolina, USA. As well as the RAF, the aircraft will come into service with the Royal Navy, and will be pivotal in the projecting air power globally on HMS Queen Elizabeth, Britain’s newest aircraft carrier. Credit Photo: UK Ministry of Defence

The First Sea Lord, Admiral Sir Philip Jones said:

“Ever since aircraft first operated to and from ships, the Royal Navy has been at the forefront of maritime aviation and the arrival of our first F35Bs in the UK today, flown by both RAF and Fleet Air Arm pilots, is another important milestone on the way to restoring our place as leaders in the field of aircraft carrier operations.

“Once combined with our new aircraft carriers, HMS Queen Elizabeth and her sister ship HMS Prince of Wales, these extraordinary jets will sit at the heart of our country’s globally deployable expeditionary forces and provide the potent conventional deterrent we need to ensure our national security.”

The Lightning, as the aircraft will be known in the UK, is the first to combine radar-evading stealth technology with supersonic speeds and the ability to conduct short take-offs and vertical landings. It will be jointly operated by the Royal Air Force and the Royal Navy and can operate from land and sea, forming a vital part of ‘carrier strike’, the use of the aircraft from Britain’s new Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carriers.

This is the first tranche of F-35s to arrive, with RAF Voyager aircraft providing air-to-air refuels on their trans-Atlantic journey. More jets are due in Britain later this year, and there is an overall plan to procure 138.

The F-35 is the world’s largest defence programme at over $1.3 trillion, and UK industry is providing 15% of every one of over 3,000 jets set for the global order book. That makes the economic impact greater than if we were building 100% of all 138 aircraft which we intend to buy.

The programme has already generated $12.9Bn worth of orders and at peak production will support thousands of British manufacturing and engineering jobs. Just last week, the F-35 programme awarded a contract worth over $2bn for aircraft propulsion systems, which will have significant benefits for Rolls-Royce and their supply chain.

A local UK newspaper, the Eastern Daily Press provided a look at the arrival of the aircraft in a story published on June 7, 2018.

The world’s most advanced warplane has touched down at RAF Marham – safeguarding thousands of jobs and making a vital contribution to our region’s economy.

Hundreds lined the lanes as the first four F-35 Lightnings roared in from America, securing the future of the West Norfolk base for another generation.

Station Commander Group Capt Ian “Cab” Townsend said: “This is a really remarkable day, not just for the Royal Air Force but for the local community. “We are so well supported by the local community, we couldn’t do what we do at the station without the tremendous support of the local people.

“I think what we have here is unique, they’ll be here for the next 35, 40 years. When the local community look up at the sky they will see the future.”

He said the arrival of Britain’s newest warplane was important for the local economy, adding: “A lot of people work in Marham so it’s really important for jobs.”

He said 15pc of the jets are made by British companies, adding: “It means a lot for the UK defence industries involved.

“As someone who has flown the F-35, it has been a real pleasure and a really good insight into what The pilots, whether from the land or the sea, are going to have an absolute ball.”

A further five jets will join the aircraft at Marham by August, with the recently reformed 617 Squadron, the famed Dambusters of the Second World War, set to declare initial operational capability from land by the end of December.

Air Commodore David Bradshaw, Lightning Force Commander, said: “We are at the start of a very long journey.

“Nine will grow over time to 12 and when we get a suitable size 617 will effectively be a super squadron.

“By the end of 2023 we will be at our full strength.”

Flt Lt Steve Clarkson, junior engineering officer for 617 Squadron, said: “I think it’s a really exciting time for everyone and the squadron itself.

“It’s a real honour especially with 617 Squadron given its history, we are going to be leading the way essentially.”

The so-called stealth fighter will replace the Tornado GR4, which has been in continual service for three decades.

When officials announced the Tornado’s retirement in 2010, there was uncertainty over where its replacement would be based.

There were not only more than 5,000 jobs at stake. The station brings tens of millions to our region’s economy.

So this newspaper, MPs and local politicians launched a campaign to make it Marham.

Almost 37,000 people from Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire signed a petition launched in November 2010.

A delegation delivered it to 10 Downing Street, as MPs and council leaders put the case to save Marham to then Defence secretary Liam Fox.

In March 2013, the then defence secretary Philip Hammond flew to Norfolk to announce the station was saved.

Five years later, the first F-35s have touched down at the home of the new Lightning Force.

After landing at RAF Marham pictured are (L) Wing Commander John Butcher and Lieutenant Commander Adam Hogg. Picture: Ian Burt

South West Norfolk MP Elizabeth Truss, who was at the forefront of the campaign, said: “It is fantastic to see the F-35 arrive in Marham.

“I believe the campaigning by everyone from the EDP and local residents to businesses and politicians helped to secure the long term future of the base and as a result, RAF Marham will be home to the most sophisticated fighter jet in the world.

“We should all be very proud – the jobs, skills and value to the local economy, in excess of £100 million, is tremendous and I am absolutely delighted that the RAF are in South West Norfolk.”

West Norfolk mayor and former council leader Nick Daubney was one of the key figures of the Make it Marham campaign.

peaking ahead of the arrival of the supersonic aircraft, he said: “The campaign was about making sure Marham survived and since then it has become Europe’s major station.

“The role it’s going to play in military defence will be a major one, it has become an advanced military centre.

“With all the jobs and technology that goes with it, Marham is an absolutely vital station. The development is good for the region, for jobs and for trainees in the future.”

The Arrival of the F-35s at RAF Marham: The Dambusters Return

Posted on June 8, 2018 | by Robbin Laird | Leave a Comment

The arrival of the first F-35s from the United States to Britain on June 6, 2018 to their operating base at RAF Marham required a change in the sign entering RAF Marham as can be seen in the featured photo.

The entire effort to rebuild Marham to support the UK and the fast jet element for the HMS Queen Elizabeth is part of a broader transformation of the UK defense force.

We have visited both RAF Marham and the HMS Queen Elizabeth twice.

Most recently, we visited RAF Marham and Portsmouth in May 2018 and will be publishing those interviews soon.

The kind of transformation which the F-35s bring to the new large deck carrier and the impact the large deck carrier has in providing a mobile base to the RAF as well is a work in progress.

And such transformation should be part of the new air combat strategy which the UK Ministry of Defence is crafting.

F35 Arrival at RAF Marham June 6, 2018 from SldInfo.com on Vimeo.

In a piece published on June 6, 2018 by Shropshirerstar.Com, the arrival of the jets was highlighted:

Four of the jets crossed the Atlantic – in a journey more than eight hours long – to become permanently stationed in the UK.

Britain’s “formidable fighters”, the F-35 Lightning warplanes, have touched down on UK soil and are set to keep the country safe from the “gravest of dangers”, the Defence Secretary has said.

The multimillion-pound supersonic aircraft have been stationed in America since their manufacture, being tested and used for training by Royal Air Force and Royal Navy pilots.

Four of the jets, which had been based at US Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, South Carolina, crossed the Atlantic – in a journey more than eight hours long – to become permanently stationed in the UK.

Landing at RAF Marham in Norfolk, the home base of the F-35, the fighter jets touched down two months ahead of schedule at around 8pm, with the officer commanding 617 squadron, Wing Commander John Butcher, doing so first.

Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson said: “These formidable fighters are a national statement of our intent to protect ourselves and our allies from intensifying threats across the world.

“With a game-changing ability to collect crucial intelligence, fight wars and tackle terrorism, these are the most advanced jets in British history.

“The work that’s gone into their early arrival shows they have the people to match.

“Our defence industry and military have always been at the very forefront of technology, and today’s momentous arrival of these incredible jets shows we are upholding our proud tradition of innovation while keeping Britain safe from the gravest of dangers.”

RAF Air cadets, military personnel, as well as the families of those from 617 squadron and the wider base lined up on the edge of the taxiway to watch the wheels hit the tarmac.

The four pilots, who were supported by an RAF voyager providing air-to-air refuelling across more than 3,000 miles of the Atlantic Ocean, were greeted by the Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Hillier and other dignitaries.

ACM Hillier said: “In the RAF’s centenary year, it’s great to see the most advanced and dynamic fighter jet in our history arrive today at RAF Marham – and with the modern Dambusters in the cockpit, this homecoming truly feels like an historic moment in British airpower.

“If you can’t see us coming, you won’t be able to stop us, so with its stealth and other world-beating technologies the F-35 Lightning takes the Royal Air Force and Royal Navy to a whole a new level of capability.”

Britain currently has 15 F-35Bs – the short take-off and vertical landing variant of the jets – and has pledged to purchase 138 in total from American Aviation giant Lockheed Martin.

First Sea Lord, Admiral Sir Philip Jones said: “Ever since aircraft first operated to and from ships, the Royal Navy has been at the forefront of maritime aviation and the arrival of our first F35Bs in the UK today, flown by both RAF and Fleet Air Arm pilots, is another important milestone on the way to restoring our place as leaders in the field of aircraft carrier operations.

Later this year F-35 flight trials will take place off the behemoth aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth, seeing British pilots fly jointly owned test jets that are currently based at Patuxent River, Maryland, off the deck.

According to a UK Ministry of Defence article published on the day of the arrival of the jets at RAF Marham, the importance of those jets within overall defense efforts in the UK was highlighted.

The first of Britain’s next-generation fighter jets have arrived home two months ahead of schedule in a major milestone for the Royal Air Force and Royal Navy.

Welcoming the news, Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson said:

Defence Minister Guto Bebb said:

“The F-35 will form the backbone of our air power for decades to come, and its arrival in the UK during the 100th anniversary of the RAF marks a truly historic moment.

Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Hillier said:

The First Sea Lord, Admiral Sir Philip Jones said:

Earlier, a UK Ministry of Defence story highlighted infrastructure changes associated with the coming of the new jets to RAF Marham.

Ready for F-35s: runway resurfaced at RAF Marham

Preparations for the arrival of the UK’s new F-35 multi-role combat aircraft have taken a major step forward with the completion of resurfacing work on the secondary runway at RAF Marham.

This took place with little to no impact on operational activity.

The first F-35 Lightning aircraft are due to arrive at their new home at RAF Marham shortly.

The game-changing aircraft, which will be operated by both the Royal Air Force and Royal Navy, will be based at RAF Marham. Preparations are on track for the aircraft to be able to deploy from RAF Marham to deployed operating bases by the end of the year.

In due course they will also deploy to the Royal Navy’s Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carriers.

The resurfacing work was undertaken by the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) through its contractors, a joint venture of Galliford Try and Lagan Construction.

It forms part of a £250 million DIO programme of investment at the station and involves resurfacing about 90% of the airfield operating surfaces; all of this while the Tornado Force maintained operations from the airfield.

Rob Dawson, DIO’s Principal Project Manager, said:

“The completion of the resurfacing of the secondary runway is one a series of milestones for the work DIO and our contractors are undertaking to prepare RAF Marham to be the main operating base for the new F-35B aircraft.

“Along with work being completed by our colleagues at Defence Equipment and Support, this investment will transform RAF Marham with a host of new and upgraded facilities for the aircraft and the men and women who will operate them”.

RAF Marham Station Commander Group Captain Ian Townsend said:

“It’s fantastic to have the secondary runway handed back to the station after the completion of the resurfacing in preparation for the imminent arrival of the F-35 Lightning.

“To see the Tornado’s take off from it for the first time was a real milestone in the programme and we look forward to the next historic event in the next couple of weeks when the F-35’s will touch down on the new runway as it arrives at its home base for the first time.”

The New Runwy at RAF Marham was formally handed over to the station from Contracters. The runway will accomodate the arrival of the F-35.
Images were taken at RAF Marham on the new runway 25/05/2018.

James Aikman, Project Director, Galliford Try Lagan Construction, said:

“The Galliford Try Lagan Construction joint venture is delighted to have successfully reached this important stage of the project. We have a well-established relationship with DIO and this, combined with our experience of complex airside work, augurs very well for the remainder of the programme.”

Resurfacing the 1,855m long runway required the construction of two batching plants to prepare the specific asphalt and concrete needed for the new surface. Preparing the materials on site increased efficiency.

RAF Marham is currently the home of the RAF’s Tornado fleet, which will begin operating from the runway immediately before being joined by the F-35s in due course.

With the aircraft currently on operations it was important that this activity could be maintained without restriction. During the work, flying was only halted for three weeks while construction teams resurfaced an intersection between the main runway and the secondary runway. This was completed a day early despite poor weather.

The remainder of the work being undertaken at RAF Marham continues, including construction of three vertical landing pads to enable the F-35s to use their vertical landing capability and a squadron headquarters for 617 Squadron (The Dambusters).

Other work includes a high voltage power upgrade, refurbishment of 12 Hardened Aircraft Shelters and a small gym and canteen as well as a hangar, offices and technical facilities for 207 Squadron.

For a look at the overall transformation of RAF Marham from the perspective of Vice Air Marshal Harvey Smyth, see the following:

Shaping a Way Ahead for the F-35 in UK Defence: The Perspective of Air Commodore Harvey Smyth

Defense Secretary Mattis in Asia: The Singapore Speech

Posted on June 6, 2018 | by Robbin Laird | Leave a Comment

06/06/2018

Defense Secretary James N. Mattis met with several Indo-Pacific leaders on the sidelines of the 2018 International Institute for Strategic Studies Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore June 1.

According to a June 2, 2018 article published on the Department of Defense website:

During Mattis’ meeting with Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, the two leaders reaffirmed the excellent and long-standing bilateral defense relationship between the United States and Singapore, DoD spokesperson Navy Capt. Jeff Davis said in a statement.

Davis said the two leaders exchanged views on the regional security environment and discussed a range of mutual security interests and opportunities for cooperation. With regard to the South China Sea, they reaffirmed the importance of peaceful resolution of disputes in accordance with international law.

Mattis reaffirmed support for the Association of Southeast Asian Nationsand emphasized the important role ASEAN has to play as part of the U.S. vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific, Davis said.

The U.S. appreciates the access Singapore provides to U.S. forces, Mattis said, and he thanked Singapore for offering to host the U.S.-North Korea Summit, according to Davis.

Strengthening Cooperation

Mattis also met with Singapore Minister of Defense Dr. Ng Eng Hen, Davis said in a statement. The two leaders, he said, reaffirmed their mutual commitment to the U.S.-Singapore defense relationship and discussed efforts to strengthen cooperation, to include counterterrorism and maritime security.

Davis said Mattis thanked Ng for Singapore’s support enabling the United States’ presence in the region and reiterated his commitment to explore training opportunities in Guam for the Republic of Singapore Air Force. Mattis reaffirmed support for Association of Southeast Asian Nations centrality and emphasized that the Indo-Pacific strategy looks to deepen existing ASEAN multilateral mechanisms.

The two leaders also exchanged views on the regional security environment and discussed a range of mutual security interests, Davis said.

Mattis also met with Vietnam Minister of National Defense Ngo Xuan Lich, Davis said in a statement.

Mattis and Lich discussed the regional security environment, he said, and highlighted historic progress in the defense relationship since their last meeting, including the first post-war visit by a U.S. aircraft carrier to Vietnam in March 2018.

They also reviewed progress on efforts to enhance the defense partnership, with a focus on increasing cooperation on maritime security, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief and peacekeeping operations, while continuing to address legacy of war issues, Davis said.

Mattis affirmed his support for a strong, prosperous, and independent Vietnam and its leadership role in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, Davis said.

Regional, Global Security

Davis said the two leaders agreed that a strong U.S.-Vietnam defense relationship promotes regional and global security, including in the South China Sea.

This relationship, the two leaders said, is based on mutual respect and common interests, including freedom of navigation, upholding international law and respect for national sovereignty and territorial integrity, Davis said.

Mattis also met with ministers and heads of delegation from across Southeast Asia, Davis said in a statement, to discuss the United States’ vision and strategy for the Indo-Pacific region and to listen to their perspectives on security challenges and opportunities for increased cooperation.

Davis said Mattis had a robust exchange of views with the ministers and representatives on regional security issues, focusing on counterterrorism and maritime security cooperation and prospects for a peaceful resolution of tensions on the Korean Peninsula.

Participants welcomed strong U.S. engagement in the region and expressed appreciation for U.S.-ASEAN cooperation, Davis said. Mattis reaffirmed support for ASEAN centrality, and the U.S. vision for a region in which every voice is heard and respected, the spokesman said.

The leaders highlighted the importance of ASEAN speaking with one voice, and welcomed continued progress in fostering practical defense cooperation within the ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting Plus framework, and looked forward to the conduct of the sixth ADMM-Plus in October of this year, Davis said.

The featured photo shows Defense Secretary James N. Mattis meeting with Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong during the 2018 International Institute for Strategic Studies Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, June 1, 2018.

Mattis met with several Indo-Pacific leaders at the summit.

DoD photo by Air Force Tech Sgt. Vernon Young Jr.

For the text and video of the speech made by Secretary Mattis, please go to the following:

https://defense.info/video-of-the-week/defense-secretary-mattis-in-asia-the-singapore-speech/

The Coming of TyTan: The UK Works its Typhoon Sustainment Strategy

Posted on June 6, 2018 | by Robbin Laird | Leave a Comment

By Robbin Laird

In past visits to the UK and to Spain, I have spent time with Eurofighter squadrons and have focused on the upgrade path for the aircraft.

I have talked with various fighting forces about Typhoon operating in various allied operations as well to get a sense of the evolution of the air system and its contribution to allied operations as well.

I summarized my findings with regard to Eurofighter and its modernization approach in a report published in 2015.

For the UK, Project Centurion is the core modernization effort with regard to Typhoon, the main focus of which is upon transferring some of the weapons carried by the Tornado, soon to be retired, onto the Typhoon, to enable that aircraft to take over some of Tornado’s capabilities.

Project Centurion is the part of Typhoon modernization, which can be visibly seen as weapons are integrated onto the aircraft.

But less visible is the progress the RAF has made with regard to aircraft availability for Typhoon as the UK government and industry has worked with the RAF to shape new approaches to provide for enhanced fleet performance.

The latest iteration of Typhoon support is the TyTan contract which was launched in 2016.

According to a BAE Systems press release on July 12, 2016, the new support contract was described as follows:

Working in partnership with the Royal Air Force (RAF) and Leonardo-Finmeccanica, the arrangement will introduce new ways of working to further reduce the costs of operating the fleet at RAF Coningsby and RAF Lossiemouth by more than a third. The deal could see more than £500m of savings reinvested to develop new capabilities for the aircraft.

For the first time in the support of the UK Typhoon fleet, the formal Typhoon Total Availability eNnterprise (TyTAN) agreement, which is expected to be signed shortly, will combine contracts with suppliers from across Europe into a single programme.

It will include a joint avionics solution with Leonardo-Finmeccanica.

This builds on the former Typhoon Availability Support contract that we delivered to the RAF over the last seven years.

Minister for Defence Procurement, Philip Dunne MP, said: “This will be an exciting, innovative support arrangement for our Typhoon aircraft, and will help ensure Typhoon continues to meet the RAF’s future operational requirements, including replacing our Tornado jets from 2019.

“It represents a substantial change in the way support is provided, optimising and driving efficiency through improved ways of working.”

Chris Boardman, Managing Director of Military Air & Information, said: “Combining support arrangements into one programme will help to increase reliability and availability of the fleet, whilst making it cheaper to support.

The efficiency savings generated will enable new capabilities to be developed for the RAF Typhoon aircraft.

“We’ve worked with partners across our supply chain to drive improvements ensuring that we deliver the lowest possible costs to the MOD. We are extremely pleased that the agreement will extend our close working relationship with the MOD and will enable us to continue to support the Typhoon fleet until 2026 as it continues to perform its vital role in safeguarding our nation at home and overseas.”

The contract is the product of the evolution over more than a decade of working on support arrangements associated with various modalities of performance-based logistics to a fleet availability approach.

The effort is grounded on the experience gained with the Tornado ATTAC contract and the initial support contracts with Typhoon. The Typhoon has been in service for more than a decade but is still in the process of evolution.

It was designed initially as an air defense aircraft, which was spearheaded in many ways by the requirements of the Central Front and the role of Germany and with the post-Cold era, a migration was started to make it a more flexible aircraft. Project Centurion is part of that migration.

And as the Typhoon fleet was stood up and operational experience accumulated with various deployments by the RAF, the opportunity to shape a new sustainment approach, one, which would embrace the Typhoon as a fleet, was possible.

Obviously, the impact of Project Centurion on the fleet is to diversify the fleet at the outset and to require any sustainment strategy to work around and to support modernization of the aircraft.

Another challenge associated with diversified modernization is to manage the different variants of Typhoon.

During a visit to RAF Lossiemouth, a senior RAF officer provided his sense of the nature of this challenge.

As Wing Commander Peters put it in an interview conducted in his office at RAF Lossiemouth in 2016:

Question: What is the big fleet management challenge for you?

“We have fleets within fleets.

“We have Typhoons with different Tranches, and different software configurations or PSCs (Production Software Configurations).

“A different PSC can do different things.

“It has a different level of capability.

“We need to deliver a SHADER standard Typhoon to the Middle East operation and that drives a lot of intra-fleet movement.

“It is things like moving Laser Designator pods around within the fleet, to make sure that we have the right configuration at the right place at the right time.

“The key disconnect which we have to manage is between the need to deliver the SHADER standard aircraft, and the presence of variable configuration Typoons in the overall fleet.

“A lot of our support challenges are driven by not having enough aircraft at the same standard.

“If all of our fleet was to the same standard, the challenge would be much easier.

“There is steady progress towards increasing numbers of key variants (specifically the P1E aircraft and standards beyond) but this takes time.

“Of course, this is somewhat of a historic challenge that has always affected armed forces across the world, which have strived to deliver the best military capability within the resource available.”

The challenge which Wing Commander Peters highlighted is clearly a key focus of the TyTan approach.

During my visit to the UK in May 2018, I had a chance to visit RAF Coningsby once again, and during my visit was able to talk with senior BAE Systems managers involved in dealing with Typhoon sustainment over the years and the coming into reality of the new sustainment approach.

The day before I met with the senior manager for the ATTAC contract at RAF Marham and learned from her the evolution and focus of that contract which was clearly a foundation stone for working the approach to Typhoon.

The point is really a simple one:

The TyTan contract is one which leverages two decades of sustainment experience and working an enterprise approach with the MoD and the RAF and shaping new working relationships to achieve the core goal: to provide the right number and types of aircraft at the right time and at the right place.

I met with Steve Worsnip, Vice President F-35 Sustainment, BAE Systems, with more than 20 years of experience in the sustainment business and a key player in shaping the Typhoon approach; Richard Hamilton, UK Typhoon Support (TyTAN) Delivery Director, BAE Systems, and Gary Williams, Head of Joint Change Programmes.

The TyTAN contract is focused on availability of aircraft for the Typhoon fleet taken as a whole.

It is clearly a challenge to position oneself to be able to get a bird’s eye objective with regard to an entire fleet and the effort is a work in progress.

But clearly such an approach would not be possible unless an enterprise approach had been created within which MoD, the RAF, and industry are partners in shaping a joint fleet support approach.

As Richard Hamilton put it: “The key is to have a jointly owned fleet plan.

“This is a plan to which the RAF, MoD and industry are all committed to and work together and do so on a daily basis but with a longer term perspective informing the regular work process.”

What is at stake is being able to take a longer view with regard to the year ahead of the state of the fleet and the projected availability demands and to make daily decisions informed by the strategic direction of fleet use.

And given the mix of Typhoons, it is also about understanding what kinds of sorties are demanded within the framework of the joint fleet plan, and to work the broader approach in terms of being able to provide the right aircraft, to the right place at the right time.

To get to the TyTAN opportunity, the UK MoD, RAF and industry have worked together for a number of years on performance based contracts.

The evolution of those contracts started with managing elements of the supply system to provide for parts and to provide technical query management.

But as Steve Worsnip put’s it: “We soon realized that if we take an engineering approach to sustainment, we could get much better results.”

The reason for that is straightforward: industry would take a longer view to the cause of performance and failure and take a systems approach to enhancing performance.

In many ways, that was the initial Typhoon support contract.

But it became clear in working that contract, that for a leap forward in sustainment, namely to get the point where joint fleet management was possible would require more than a PBL approach.

It was beyond the kin of industry alone to find ways to better support the RAF.

What was required was nothing less than a fundamental change in the regulations, laws and practices that governed how industry and the government could work together.

And by changing the context, an enterprise approach could be empowered. What happened was nothing less than revolutionary.

The rules were changed so that savings generated by sustainment efforts could be recycled back into the increasing the capability of the aircraft.

According to Steve Worsnip this meant that “industry was not being paid to replace things or benefitting from the need to repair, alternatively we had buy-in from the RAF, MoD and industry to enhance performance, generate costs savings and to provide for new monies for modernization of the aircraft.”

In other words, the TyTan approach is incentivizing support for fleet enhancement, rather than simply sustaining aircraft.

It means as well that savings can be provided to support the Centurion Program and other modernization efforts for Typhoon.

This is especially important as I believe the other partners of Eurofighter have not been exactly pushing the envelope on aircraft modernization which has increased the burden for modernization on the RAF.

What all three of senior managers emphasized was that the culture change which has preceded TyTAN was crucial to enable the possibility of TyTAN to emerge at all.

It is not simply about PBLs, and parts support. It is about setting in motion a process whereby MoD, the RAF, and industry can work together to shape a collaborative outcome, and with that cultural shift comes organizational change.

But organizational change is not an end state; it is an ongoing process which means that as the approach is implemented and evolves new plateaus will be reached and it is hoped that the enterprise rules can then be modified to enable whatever the next phase might be.

As Richard Hamilton noted: “It is a journey not simply a contract.”

I was able to tour some of the sustainment facilities with my three interlocutors. And they provided a great opportunity to see the state of play with regard to the ongoing effort to work fleet management.

Data flows into the fleet management decision center, where various displays work tabs on the state of the fleet, worldwide at that moment. The data is then organized in ways to facilitate decision making on implementing or modifying the fleet management plan.

This flows down into how maintenance is done as well.

Another facility, which was in the process of being reworked, physically organized parts by a red, amber, or green characterization. The various suppliers had been organized into support cells rather than being located into isolated industry cells; and the support cells were directed towards prioritization on repairs.

Red being the priority parts needed right now by the fleet; amber within a few days; and green as not urgent.

Part of the fleet management approach is focused on prioritization of support to choke point parts.

As Steve Worsnip put it: “There are thousands of parts, but only a few drive costs, significant delays and maintenance burden.

“The key is to be able to focus on those parts and to provide support for the fleet to ensure that disruptions due to problems with key parts get solved as a priority.”

In short, the TyTAN approach is a key effort in support of the RAF as they move forward with Typhoon deployments.

And as these deployments change in the post counter-insurgency phase, new demands will be placed on the fleet, and the enterprise will adjust to try to provide optimal fleet support.

The featured photo shows a crew working on an RAF Typhoon and is credited to BAE Systems.

Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System II in WTI-2-18

Posted on June 5, 2018 | by Robbin Laird | Leave a Comment

06/05/2018

In a story written by Lance Cpl. Ashley McLaughlin and published on March 28, 2018, the role of a new variant of a a precision weapon.

U.S. Marines assigned to Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron One built 2.75-inch rockets configured with Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System II during ordnance building training.

The training runs within Weapons and Tactics Instructor course, a seven-week training event hosted by MAWTS-1 cadre at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Ariz., March 28.

“APKWS II convert is an unguided Hydra 70 rocket into a highly accurate Precision Guided Munition,” said Staff Sgt. David Braga, a MAWTS-1 ammunition stock recording system munitions chief. “The smaller warhead greatly reduces collateral damage while providing sufficient lethality to destroy point targets.”

The rockets have three main sections; a Hydra 70 rocket motor, an M282 High Explosive Incendiary Multipurpose Penetrator Warhead and the guidance unit. The guidance unit allows for the change of the course of fire or hit moving targets.

“The APKWS II adds a mid-body Semi-Active Laser WGU-59/B guidance unit to the current 2.75-inch rocket,” said U.S. Marine Staff Sgt. Kendall Ripp, a MAWTS-1 aviation ordnance systems technician.

The guidance section and warhead size provides combat commanders with the ability to strike targets in close proximity to friendly forces safely along with lowering the amount of collateral damage, according to Braga.

“The 2.75-inch rocket with APKWS II guidance section and M282 Multipurpose Penetrator warhead is replacing the standard 5.0 inch high explosive warhead,” said Ripp. “This allows pilots to carry more of a payload per aircraft as well as creates a more accurate weapon.”

Giving pilots the capability to carry a higher quantity of weapons with improved accuracy allows Marines more rockets to train with and provides air support to troops on the ground.

“APKWS II provides the operational forces with the familiarity and employment training that is needed to understand and overcome any issues or differences they may encounter between other weapon systems.” said Braga. “This allows the APKWS II weapon system to be assembled and employed efficiently in a war time environment.”

https://www.dvidshub.net/news/272077/apkws-ii-launching-wti

The featured photo shows an AH-1W Super Cobra assigned to Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron 1 receieving the all clear for takeoff during an Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System loading and flight takeoff exercise in support of Weapons and Tactics Instructor course 2-18 at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Ariz., March 29. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Ashley McLaughlin/Released