A Bridge for Intra-Theater Distributed Fleet Operations: The CMV-22B

08/27/2023
By Robbin Laird As the joint force shapes a distributed force for enhanced survival and relevant presence, the ability to sustain and deliver relevant payloads to that force in combat is critical. Distributed force operations across the Pacific as a giant chessboard, requires an ability to cross link and cross…

Daunting Fiscal Risks: The Missing U.S. Government Strategy

08/24/2023
In a recent paper released by Malmgren-Glinsman Partners, the difficult situation in which the United States Government finds itself financially was underscored. Their white paper argued: Over and above the concerns surrounding inflation and the economy, there are also daunting fiscal risks facing the U.S. government. And this situation will…

The Economist Looks Back at the Obama Administration

08/23/2023
In this week's The Economist, the lead article addresses what they call "Obama's Biggest Mistake." The article focused on Obama's red line in Syria that was not. They then ask; "How much was his red line in Syria to blame for America's lost credibility?" Because we essentially are being governed…

My Fifth Generation Journey: 2004-2018

08/20/2023
By Robbin Laird From the introduction to the Book: In their preface to their book on the F-35, the authors start with this statement: The F-35s journey through time has been unlike any other in the annuals of aerospace and defense history. It was devised under the gospel of acquisition…

Indonesia Adds to its Rafale Fleet: August 2023

08/11/2023
By Pierre Tran Paris - Indonesia entered August 10 the second phase of buying the Rafale, with an 18-strong order entering into force, part of the total acquisition of 42 units, the aircraft builder, Dassault Aviation, said in a statement. The order for 42 Rafale for the Indonesian air force…

European Defence Armaments Cooperation: An August 2023 Update

08/06/2023
By Pierre Tran Paris - There is a view that politics is really about personalities. That notion comes to mind after Airbus chief executive Guillaume Faury pointed up the frustration of Europe failing to cooperate on arms programs in the light of war in Ukraine - apart from the future…

Fifth-Generation Aircraft in the Rear-View Mirror: Why has it taken so long to get the point?

08/02/2023
By Robbin Laird The continuing gap between acquiring the F-35 and strategically leveraging the F-35 global fleet  is significant. Fifth-generation aircraft are part of the shift in warfighting to craft a kill-enabled force. This is what I refer as the importance of moving to F-35 2.0. I discussed this challenge…

French Defense Policy Under President Macron: 2017-2021

07/22/2023
We have just published our latest book, this one bringing together our work on Second Line of Defense with regard to the evolution of French defense policy under President Macron during his first term. Here is what Robbin Laird, the editor of the reader, wrote about the book: Emmanuel Macron…