By Robbin Laird In a famous line from Molière’s play Le Bourgeois gentilhomme, the aspiring social climber in the play discovers that: "For more than forty years I have been speaking prose while knowing nothing of it, and I am the most obliged person in the world to you for…
MH-60R ‘Romeo’ helicopter may not be a stealth platform, but it has become a globally used platform by the US Navy and U.S. allies and has done so in barely noticed fashion. Globally is a key aspect of a platform, even with different systems onboard common platforms, common logistics and…
A key aspect of how the Royal Australian Navy is working integration across the fleet and shaping a way ahead for the ADF as an integrated distributed combat force is shaping commonality across its combat systems. As Vice Admiral (Retired) Tim Barrett has highlighted about the approach: “We see new…
By Robbin Laird On February 7, 2020, the US Navy officially received its first CMV-22B Osprey, the replacement for its venerable C-2 Greyhound aircraft. I attended the ceremony held at Amarillo, Texas and had a chance to talk with a number of the participants before and after the ceremony. Having…
By Robbin Laird My recent discussions with Major Thomas Duff and Mr. Michael Manifor, HQMC Aviation, APW-53, Attack and Utility Helicopter Coordinators, about the Viper maritime attack helicopter provided insights into how this asset is evolving as the MAGTF itself is being reshaped for its broader spectrum missions beyond the…
By Robbin Laird In my series focusing on USMC and digital interoperability, the first piece focused on the interaction between platform innovation and integratability. With the evolution of the capabilities of the new combat platforms generated through Marine Corps aviation, the ability of the Marines to operate in an integrated,…
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…
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…
