The USMC and Digital Interoperability: The MANGL Approach

04/12/2020
By Robbin Laird As highlighted earlier, USMC aviation is focused on ways to enhance its ability to connect with the MAGTF and to work integrated solutions at the tactical edge. But how to start the process and to shape greater digital interoperability (DI) within the MAGTF? Recently, I had the…

The Coronavirus Crisis: The Charles de Gaulle Aircraft Carrier Returns to Port

04/09/2020
By Pierre Tran Paris - Some 40 sailors on board the Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier show signs resembling  the coronavirus infection, prompting an early return of the capital ship to Toulon naval base, the armed forces ministry said April 8. “On board the Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier presently…

Draken Works the Red Team: Mirage F-1s as Part of the Arsenal

04/09/2020
By Guy Martin Draken International has begun flying supersonic, radar equipped Mirage F1M fighters to support US Air Force (USAF) combat training at Nellis Air Force Base after the aircraft were returned to service by Paramount Aerospace Systems. The fully modernized Mirage F1Ms, predominately flown by the Spanish Air Force…

The USMC and Digital Interoperability: Shaping an Integrated Distributed Force

04/03/2020
By Robbin Laird As the first combat force in the world to operate the F-35, the Marines experienced the challenge but also the impacts of what a fifth-generation aircraft can deliver to the battlespace. At the heart of what a four-ship formation of F-35s can deliver is an integrated core…

The Australian Government and the Australian Arafura Class Offshore Patrol Vessel: The Perspective of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) and Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group (CASG)

03/31/2020
By Robbin Laird After my visit to Perth and the Henderson Shipyard, I had a chance in Canberra to discuss the new class of OPVs with the senior leadership team in Navy and the Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group (CASG) within the Australian Department of Defence. Participating in the discussion…

Crafting Tron Warfare Capabilities for the Integrated Distributed Force

03/30/2020
By Andrew McLaughlin When introducing a new capability, a major factor in its success – or otherwise – is its ability to be successfully integrated with other capabilities.   This has become particularly crucial with the plethora of increasingly capable and expensive new generation capabilities coming on board, each of which may have multiple sensors which generate huge amounts of…

The New Australian Offshore Patrol Vessel: Its Impact in the Perspective of Vice Admiral (Retired) Tim Barrett

03/23/2020
By Robbin Laird The first time I met Vice Admiral (Retired) Tim Barrett was at the 2016 Williams Foundation Seminar in which he addressed the evolving role of the Australian Navy in the transformation of the Australian Defence Force. He provided a keynote presentation to the August 2016 Seminar on…