By Robbin Laird The RAAF has been in the throes of significant modernization over the last decade as the C-17, KC-30A, Super Hornet and the Wedgetail have come together to shape an integrated and effective power projection force. The next wave of change is spearheaded by the F-35. But the…
By Murielle Delaporte Being ready for the next battles and imagining new forms of combat beyond Maginot lines require to “bring tomorrow’s topics to the table ,“ and especially the tables where national political decision-makers meet. For General Mercier, one of ACT’s main missions is indeed to raise the Western…
By Robbin Laird During my recent visit to Australia, with a clear focus on supporting the Williams Foundation effort to look at strategic transition facing the allied militaries, I had a chance to continue my discussions with Vice Admiral Tim Barrett, Chief of the Royal Australian Navy. The Vice Admiral…
By Todd Miller The wide open ground and air space of west central Nevada host Naval Air Station (NAS) Fallon and the Fallon Range Training Complex (FRTC). Together they form the epicenter of air to air and air to ground training for the Naval Aviator. NAS Fallon is also a…
By Robbin Laird Last year, when visiting the Sikorsky West Palm Beach facility, I saw the CH-53K King Stallion being built, which is now in Europe and preparing to fly at the Berlin Air Show. Next month, the first CH-53K will arrive in New River, N.C., for the U.S. Marines…
On the occasion of the coming 100thAnniversaries of both the RAF and the RAAF, Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Hillier, the Chief of Staff of the RAF addressed the Williams Foundation Seminar on the shift from the land wars to high intensity conflict and highlighted he saw the challenges and…
By Robbin Laird and Ed Timperlake When journalists and many policy makers discuss an area like missile defense they often do so from the perspective of catalogue shopping. What items in the catalogue are of interest? And what do they cost? This is often reflected in presenting the reporting and…
By Robbin Laird During my most recent visit to Australia, I had a chance to discuss the way ahead for the newly established Air Warfare Centre with its dynamic director, Air Commodore Joe “Vinny” Iervasi. The Air Warfare Centre was launched as part of the Plan Jericho initiative at the…