Defense XXIII: America Faces a Very Different World

01/08/2024
On January 5, 2024 the paperback version of Defense XXIII: America Faces a Very Different World was published. And on January 8, 2024 the e-book version of the book was released. This book looks at the challenge for the liberal democracies competing in a world of multi-polar authoritarian nations and…

Looking Ahead: The Role of Autonomous Systems in Pacific Defense

01/08/2024
It is clear that autonomous systems can provide significant enhancements for current operating forces. As Commodore Darron Kavanagh, Director General Warfare Innovation, Royal Australian Navy Headquarters, has noted: “we have shown through various autonomous warrior exercises, that we can already make important contributions to mission threads which combat commanders need…

Sustaining Emergency Communications for Homeland Security

01/07/2024
By Richard Weitz Threats to the U.S. homeland will remain elevated into 2024. The Gaza War will likely inspire transnational terrorism, the Strategic Posture Commission highlights the expanding long-range missile arsenal of America’s adversaries, and further severe weather emergencies and cyber attacks against critical U.S. networks seem likely. U.S. policy makers must take measures now…

The Fifth-Generation Air Combat Paradigm: From Re-Norming to Re-crafting Air Warfare Capabilities

01/05/2024
By Robbin Laird When I first dealt with fifth generation aircraft, I focused on how the F-22 and a relatively expansive global enterprise of F-35s would re-norm airpower, or re-set the baseline for what would be expected from the fighter element of the air combat enterprise. This was above all…

The PARADE Anti-Drone System and the Paris Olympic Games

01/04/2024
By Pierre Tran Paris - A parliamentary report on counter-drone systems is due to appear this month, pointing up shortfalls in the military Parade program, critical for the 2024 Olympic Games in the French capital, senator Cédric Pérrin said Dec. 14, 2023. “I take the view that our anti-drone campaign,…

The U.S. Strategy “Deficit”: The Dominance of Political Messaging

01/01/2024
This article was first published on April 26, 2012 about the Obama Administration. We leave it to our readers to ascertain whether we are in a better position currently. By Richard Weitz The second keynote speaker at the 2012 U.S. Army War College annual strategy conference, James Locher, former President…

MAWTS-1 and Trajectory Vision: Talking with the 5th Commander of MAWTS-1

12/13/2023
By Robbin Laird and Ed Timperlake We all know what tunnel vision is. But what is necessary for successful adaptation of a military in a dynamic situation is to be able to do trajectory vision. In other words, the ability to adapt but to do so with an eye on…

Crafting a Kill Web Force: The Role of Autonomous Systems

12/12/2023
By Robbin Laird In a visit to Quantico, I had a chance to talk with LtGen Karsten Heckl, who serves as the Commanding General, Marine Corps Combat Development Command, and the Deputy Commandant for Combat Development and Integration. I first met him when he was Assistant Deputy Commandant for Aviation,…