The Italian aircraft carrier the ITS Cavour is operating off of the Virginia Coast in order to integrate with the F-35Bs which it will operate for the next several years. The coming of the ITS Cavour is an interesting case study in terms of Italian policies, USMC-US Navy integration, the…
The CMV-22B is replacing the C-2 as the carrier on-board delivery system for the large deck carriers. But that is no all of which can be subsumed under the new concept of on-board delivery. First, the Secretary of Defense visited the USS Nimitz on February 25, 2021 via CMV-22B "delivery,"…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…