Unmanned Aerial Systems in Civil Airspace: Shaping a Way Ahead

09/23/2016
2016-09-23 In a recent press release from Airbus Defence and Space, dated September 22, 2016, it was announced that Airbus Defence and Space had reached an agreement with the European Aviation Safety Agency for the design and development of unmanned aerial systems intended for certification in civilian operations. “After more…

The Egyptian Navy Takes Delivery of Its Second Mistral Class Amphibious Ship

09/22/2016
2016-09-22 Earlier, Second Line of Defense has raised the question several times about whether the execution of the Mistral deal made any sense in light of Russian actions in Europe. As Steve Blank noted in 2014: Whatever the logic of negotiating a deal with Russia in 2011, the strategic situation has changed dramatically.  The seizure…

Australian Army Assess the Evolution of the Land Forces in a Fluid Combat Environment

09/21/2016
09/21/2016: The Chief of Army's Exercise 2016 was an invitation-only event held in Adelaide on Brisbane on 5 – 8 September 2016. The theme was ‘Redefining boundaries for the 21st century land forces’. According to the Australian Army: The Chief of Army’s Exercise provides the Australian Army, together with its national,…

An Update on Air-Sea-Land Integration for the ADF: The Perspective of Brigadier General Mills

09/20/2016
2016-09-16 By Robbin Laird During the Williams Foundation seminar on Air-Land integration, a key speaker was Brigadier General Chris Mills, Director General, Army Modernization for the Australian Army. After his presentation, I had a chance to discuss with him his perspective on the way ahead of the Australian Army for…

Visiting the Headquarters of Fleet Base East: Shaping an Infrastructure for a 21st Century Fleet

09/19/2016
2016-09-19 By Robbin Laird On the Friday after the Williams seminar on air-sea integration, I had the chance to tour the headquarters of the Australian Navy’s Fleet Base East on Garden Island, Sydney. Garden Island is the largest historic naval area on Sydney Harbour, with use going back to the founding…

Transforming the Power Projection Forces for the Liberal Democracies

09/17/2016
2016-09-12 By Robbin Laird The period ahead could be a very deadly one for the liberal democracies. Ill-liberal powers whether they be states (Russia, China or Iran) or irredentist movements spouting 12th century values are clearly working to change the global order to their advantage. Many factors of power are…

Becoming an F-22 Multi-Tasking Combat Aviator

09/14/2016
2016-09-08 The key to understanding fifth generation combat aviation is sensor fusion and the man-mashine working relationship built into the cockpit.  The F-22 started the  process; the F-35 continues it. At the heart of the new capability is moving from being a sequential multi-mission pilot directing the combat capabilities of…