Colonel Perrin Provides an Update on the CH-53K: February 2021

02/27/2021
By Robbin Laird A year ago, I visited Pax River and had a chance to discuss the progress of the CH-53K with  Colonel Jack Perrin Program Manager, PMA-261 H53 Heavy Lift Helicopters, US Naval Air Systems Command at Pax River Naval Air Station. And this week, he provided an update…

COVID-19 and Live Virtual Constructive Training

02/26/2021
By Tony McCormack The world has changed rapidly over the past 18 months and the way Australia’s defence organisation trains its people needs to change with it, or skills and readiness will surely decline. A combination of the Australian Defence Force’s involvement in responding to natural disasters over the summer…

The Australian Defence Force Shapes a Way Head: From an Historical Perspective

02/24/2021
By Ed Timperlake Joint By Design, The Evolution of Australian Strategy is a very important new book by Robbin F.Laird. As the author sagely points out in his preface that  “this book although focused on Australia, is not just about Australia.” There is a strategic shift underway as land wars…

The U.S. Navy and the Challenge of Operating Maritime Autonomy Systems

02/21/2021
At times, the advocates for maritime autonomy systems seem like a church. Believers, advocates and true believers expressing anger that the ghost fleet has not yet arrived. But for maritime autonomy systems to become key operating elements within the fleet, they will have to demonstrate their worth and that the…

The Kill Web, Payloads, and the Surface Fleet

02/17/2021
As the U.S. Navy and its joint and coalition partners rework their forces to deliver capability through an integrated but distributed operational force, a key element are the payloads which can be leveraged throughout the modular task forces making up such a force. As Ed Timperlake has argued:  “Payload utility…

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…