Expeditionary Basing and C2: A Key Challenge Facing the USMC in Shaping a Way Ahead

06/14/2020
By Robbin Laird I have been focusing in a series of articles on the mobile basing role of the USMC within the evolving maritime kill web approach. Earlier articles highlighted key requirements to perform expeditionary basing, as well as challenges facing sustainment and support for such a force. A key…

Manufacturing a CH-53K: The Central Role of Digital Thread Production

06/11/2020
By Robbin Laird Sikorsky is working with NAVAIR and the USMC to deliver a new build heavy lift helicopter, the CH-53K. This is a digital aircraft, while its predecessor the CH-53E, is a mechanical aircraft. What this means is that the aircraft is digitally designed and manufactured by means of…

C2, the Knowledge Base and the Kill Web

06/11/2020
By Robbin Laird and Ed Timperlake We had the opportunity to work with and for Secretary Wynne when he was in the Defense Department. He was involved in many innovations which revolved around shaping an information force before the term became fashionable, which involved pushing information to the edge of…

Iran and Its Intentions: Let Us Model a US Aircraft Carrier for Target Practice

06/10/2020
In a June 10, 2020 article by Richard Spencer of the London Times, their Middle East Correspondent, highlighted how Iran was building out its way ahead for dealing with the Untied States. Why not build a model of a Nimitz class American carrier for target practice? "Iran’s Revolutionary Guard has…

RAAF Air Marshal Mel Hupfeld’s Commanders Intent

06/10/2020
On June 4, 2020, RAAF Air Marshal Mel Hupfeld provided his concluding remarks at the virtual RAAF Airpower Conference on the Indo-Pacific Region. Originally, the conference was to be held in March 2020, but was postponed due to COVID-19. But the RAAF’s Airpower Development Centre has moved ahead with a virtual…

Arquus Highlights Its Armis Military Truck Portfolio: A Virtual Tour in the Absence of Eurosatory

06/09/2020
By Pierre Tran Paris - Arquus, a French military vehicle builder, unveiled June 8 a virtual tour of a stand planned for Eurosatory, a trade show for land weapons, cancelled due to the coronavirus crisis. The company, a unit of the Swedish Volvo truck company, launched its line of Armis…

The Digital Interoperability Initiative and Mobile Basing: A Key Enabler

06/09/2020
By Robbin Laird In a series of articles based on interviews with the USMC, the nature and scope of the digital interoperability initiative being pursued by Marine Corps Aviation has been highlighted. In one of those articles, the discussion highlighted a way ahead with regard to digital interoperability for the…

Remembering Bomber Command: Its 78th Anniversary in 2020

06/08/2020
In a small ceremony held at the Air Force Memorial in South Australia on 30 May 20, Royal Australian Air Force No. 462 Squadron (462SQN) marked the 78th Anniversary of Bomber Command - an enduring strategic bombing campaign against Germany during World War 2. Senior Australian Defence Force Officer -…