By Robbin Laird In my previous article highlighting the coming of autonomous unmanned surface vessels to the fleet, I underscored: “Autonomous USVs can provide wolfpack deployed ISR or relay systems to enhance the reach and survivability of the fleet in its distributed operational role. They can also provide an ability…
By Robbin Laird In this first article in my series highlighting my recent discussion with BG (Retired) Preziosa. we discussed the importance of enhanced cooperation among European states in delivering integrated combat power in times of crisis. In that initial piece Preziosa warned that both the new NATO and EU…
By Robbin Laird HMAS Canberra was born in a strategic context for Australia considerably different from today. When the Australian government was considering adding an LHA to the force, the main focus was upon supporting HADR operations along with an ability to transport the Australian Army to regional areas of…
n an Australian Department of Defence article published on July 11, 2022, the arrival of B-2 aircraft to Amberley airbase was highlighted. B-2 Spirit bomber aircraft from the Pacific Air Forces (PACAF) will be visiting RAAF Base Amberley this month as part of the Enhanced Air Cooperation (EAC) initiative. Several PACAF…
By Robbin Laird The coming of Sweden and Finland into NATO is not simply an additive event. But the prospect of Nordic defense integratability provides for an opportunity for disruptive change to reset and recast how North Atlantic defense can be done. When combined with the significant fleet redesign for…
With the strategic opportunity for rebuilding Nordic defense, the project begun in 2018 in Norfolk in reshaping the U.S. and allied navy’s command structures and force design can find its real impact and meaning. The Nordic defense renaissance provides an opportunity for disruptive change and strategic redesign to deal with…
We have just published our book A Maritime Kill Web Force in the Making which highlights how mobile and sea basing provide key components for an integrated distributed force. As we noted in the chapter in the book entitled “the expeditionary sea basing force in maneuver warfare”: “The U.S. Navy…
By Robbin Laird As the U.S. Navy shifts to a priority emphasis on distributed maritime operations, the opportunity for maritime autonomous systems to play a growing role is opened up. That is for the simple reality that as distributed modular task forces deploy, autonomous capabilities can contribute to the lethality…
