The UK Establishes a New Space Command and Names its First Commander

02/17/2021
An article published on November 19, 2020 in the UK Defence Journal highlighted the establishment of a new UK Space Command On 18 November 2020, the UK announced its proposal to establish a new military command dedicated to space, similar to the recent moves taken by allied countries such as…

Working with Allies: The View from Second Fleet

02/15/2021
Recently, we posted a recent piece on Vice Admiral Lewis, head of 2nd Fleet and the Joint Force Commander Norfolk. We highlighted a recent speech by the VADM which underscored that: "We recognize in the Navy and the Joint Force that we have capability gaps that require our attention –…

The Future is Now for Enhanced Integratability: The Perspective of Major General Anders Rex

02/05/2021
By Robbin Laird There is a growing emphasis on what is referred to as “multi-domain” C2 as a key means to be able to operate in the extended battlespace. A new effort to do so is being spearheaded in the United States, which is referred to as Joint All-Domain Command…

Training for the High-End Fight: The Strategic Shift of the 2020’s

02/04/2021
We are pleased to announce our new book, Training for the High-End Fight: The Strategic Shift of the 2020s.  Training for the High-End Fight highlights the essential strategic shift for the U.S. and allied militaries from land wars in the Middle East to the return of great power competition. The…

The Italian Aircraft Carrier Cavour in Route to the United States: Adding F-35 Capabilities to the Fleet

02/01/2021
Our colleagues at the Italian defense journal RID have highlighted the departure of the Cavour for the United States: "The aircraft carrier CAVOUR has left for the United States where it will embark the F-35Bs of the Navy stationed Beaufort and will acquire the certification to operate the aircraft. "The…

An Update on the CH-53K: January 2021

01/27/2021
By Robbin Laird The CH-53k is moving forward as the US Navy has signed a contract for LRIP Lot 4. Germany punted on its heavy lift solution, but the CH-53K remains a core solution for the projection of German forces into the Baltic and adjacent neighbors in supporting enhanced defense…

Resolute Hunter: Shaping a New Paradigm

01/25/2021
By Robbin Laird During a visit to Naval Air Station, Fallon in November 2020, I had a chance to visit the Naval Aviation Warfighting Development Center (NAWDC). My visit occurred as the US Navy was hosting the 3rd iteration of a relatively new exercise called Resolute Hunter which is being…

The RAAF and the F-35: Declaring IOC

01/24/2021
By the Australian Defence Business Review The Royal Australian Air Force has declared an initial operational capability (IOC) of its Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II fighter capability. Just two years after the first two F-35As arrived in Australia, the RAAF now has 30 F-35As in service with 3SQN and 2 Operational…