By Robbin Laird With the strategic shift from the land wars to engaging in higher end conflict situations with peer competitors, electronic warfare and its role is changing as well. When Ed Timperlake and I visited Fallon in 2017, we met with members of HAVOC, the US Navy’s Airborne Electronic…
With the developing relationship between sensors and shooters in the maritime kill web, what is the evolving role of the fighter? I had a chance to talk about these changes with the CO of TOPGUN, CDR Tim Myers. We started by discussing how he would compare and contrast his experience…
By Ms Samara Kitchener Airborne search and rescue is an expensive and demanding task, but what if there was a better way? AI-Search, Defence’s Artificial Intelligence (AI) prototype to transform airborne search and rescue, is now in its second phase of development. The prototype is a collaboration between the Royal…
The USAF led a joint exercise in January 2020 focused on WestPac. The exercise had the stated purpose of distributing airpower throughout the operational area and working integratability to shape the desired combat effect. But not overtly noted in the official statements was the growing concern and focus which the…
By Robbin Laird In my discussions earlier this year in San Diego with Vice Admiral Miller, we focused on the dynamics of change within and beyond the carrier air wing. In that discussion, what was highlighted was a way to look at the shift from a legacy approach to the…
By Bettina Mears Important Defence industry partnerships and a culture of excellence have been key to the operational effectiveness of Air Force’s highly advanced airborne early warning and control capability – the E-7A Wedgetail – now celebrating 10 years since its introduction into RAAF service. Air Force operates six E-7A…
By Robbin Laird I have had a chance to visit with Rear Admiral Garvin and his team in Norfolk last Fall and earlier this year. We discussed the evolving approach to theater ASW in those discussions along with the evolving approach to training and shaping an effective distributed maritime force.…
By Robbin Laird Recently, I finished a study of the new build offshore patrol vessel and the shaping of a new template for shipbuilding in Australia. This is the first of three new build ships for the Australian Navy and for the Australian Defence Force. Next is the ASW frigate…
