2017-08-29 By Robbin Laird The title of this piece might seem obvious -- why would not the US do everything possible to put the best equipment into the field? The answer is simply that the foreign investment equation is largely absent in the US political calculus. There would be no…
2017-08-26 By Robbin Laird On August 23, 2017, the Williams Foundation held a seminar on the future of electronic warfare. With the introduction of the Growler, this has provided a natural hook into the broader discussion of the evolving payloads which need to be part of an integrated 21st century…
2017-08-23 By Robbin Laird I have been writing for some time about the strategic shift or one could call revolution to building software upgradeable systems. The new multi-mission platforms on sea or in the air such as the Australian ANZAC Class frigates or the Wedgetail are simply different from legacy…
2017-08-23 By Robbin Laird During my current visit to Canberra in August 2017, I was able to continue my discussion with Officer Commanding No 42 Wing, Group Captain Stuart Bellingham about the Wedgetail and its evolution. After the recent presentation by the head of the USAF Materiel Command underscored the…
2017-08-25 By Robbin Laird Last year I had a chance to talk with the Commander of the Surveillance Response Group Air Commodore Craig Heap about the way ahead for this unique and key part of the RAAF. In our discussion, he argued that the aperture needed to be opened on…
2017-08-21 By Robbin Laird During the current visit to Australia, I had a chance to talk with the newly appointed Air Commander Australia, Air Vice-Marshal Zed Roberton. I have had the chance to talk with him before so this meeting was more in the mode of continuing the conversation and…
2017-08-18 By Robbin Laird During my current trip to Australia, I had a chance to talk again with the Air Mobility Commander of the Royal Australian Air Force, Air Commodore Richard Lennon. We last met earlier this year at Amberley Airbase. During that visit, Air Commodore Richard Lennon, the head…
2017-08-20 By Ed Timperlake and Robbin Laird The past decade prioritized the land wars, and the Navy along with the Air Force have provided key elements of support and engagement in the support of the ground forces. With the growing threat from competitors who would engage in high tempo and…
