Working Amphibiosity with Japan at Iron Fist

03/15/2020
As the Japanese focus on strengthening the perimeter of their defenses of Japan, new systems are being procured and modifications to platforms being made. The purchase of Ospreys and F-35s both As and Bs, along with the modification of Japanese helicopter landing ships are entailed as Japan looks to its…

Visiting HMAS Rankin: The Collins Class Shapes a Way Ahead for the Next Generation Australian Submarine

03/14/2020
By Robbin Laird On March 12, 2020 I had a chance to visit HMAS Sterling and to visit the HMAS Rankin, one of the Collins class submarines homeported at HMAS Sterling on Garden Island. When I informed a senior U.S. Navy Admiral that I was going to visit the Royal…

The Return of ASW to the Front Burner for NATO: Dynamic Manta Exercise

03/10/2020
A NATO anti-submarine warfare exercise began off the coast of Italy in late February 2020. Dynamic Manta (DYMAN20) involves ships, submarines, aircraft and personnel from nine NATO countries. The aim of the exercise is to provide all participants with complex and challenging warfare training, to enhance their interoperability and proficiency…

Arctic Edge 2020 Concludes

03/09/2020
Arctic Edge 2020 has concluded. Units from multiple services along with international partners practice survival skills and test combat capabilities in extreme conditions in exercise ARCTIC EDGE 20 Feb. 26 - March 6 2020 across Alaska. Approximately 1,000 U.S. military personnel participated in the multi-service exercise along with members of…

Maritime Remotes and the Evolving Surface Fleet: An Element of the Integrated Distributed Force

03/07/2020
By Robbin Laird At the upcoming Williams Foundation Seminar to be held on March 26, 2020, the role of autonomous systems in the evolution of the combat force is the focus of attention. Clearly, a key aspect of this evolution will be the role of maritime remotes within the maritime…

Loyal Wingman: Part of the Next Generation Autonomous Systems to be Examined at the Next Williams Foundation Seminar

03/07/2020
Since 2013 the Sir Richard Williams Foundation seminars have focused on building an integrated fifth generation force. Recent seminars have evolved from the acquisition of new platforms to the process of shaping and better understanding the environment in which the integrated force will prepare and operate. Moreover, they have highlighted…

C-2 for the Distributed Integrated Battlespace: The Marines Exercise the MUOS Sat Com Capability

03/06/2020
It is logical that the USMC which is focused on enhanced capability to perform distributed operations but to do so in an integratable approach are keenly interested in both digital interoperability across the force and the ability to command that force with agile C2. One of the elements in that…