MBDA and the Arsenal of Democracy: A March 2024 Update

03/17/2024
By Pierre Tran Paris - MBDA seeks to build missiles faster and in larger numbers, while keeping costs under control, with client nations rebuilding weapon stocks in response to major world conflicts, Eric Béranger, chief executive of the European missile maker, said March 13. “We see 2023 was an extraordinary…

The United Kingdom Frames a New Uncrewed Systems Strategy

03/03/2024
Recently, the UK Ministry of Defence announced its new strategy to accelerate the development of uncrewed systems for its armed forces and to generate products for export as well. In a 22 February 2024 press release by the UK MoD, this new strategy was introduced as follows: A new strategy…

An Update on European Drones: February 2024

02/16/2024
By Pierre Tran Paris - Airbus is taking more time to decide on the early stage of design for a European medium-altitude, long-endurance drone, with the industrial partners looking for a good fit with specifications, Guillaume Faury, chief executive of the aircraft builder, said Feb.15. “The preliminary design review (PDR)…

The Replicator Project: In Search of a Con-Ops and a Manufacturing Base

12/06/2023
By Robbin Laird In August 2023, Deputy Secretary of Defense Hicks announced a new "replicator" project or initiative. As she said in her speech: "At DoD, we’ve already been investing in attritable autonomous systems — across the military services, DIU, the Strategic Capabilities Office, and the combatant commands themselves —…

Eric Trappier’s Perspective on French Arms Exports and Cooperation: December 2023

12/06/2023
By Pierre Tran Paris - The wars in Ukraine and Gaza have not fueled fresh sales of the Rafale, Eric Trappier, executive chairman of Dassault Aviation, prime contractor for the French-built  fighter jet, said Dec. 5. “These two crises are very hard, very sad, (but) there has been no impact,”…

The Multi-Domain Strike Enterprise: Building and Providing the Weapons

10/06/2023
By Robbin Laird It will do little if one crafts the force for effective strike and does not work to ensure that the enterprise does not go Winchester much more rapidly than the duration of conflict. This is a major problem and at the first Williams Foundation seminar of 2023,…

Denmark, Northrop Grumman and the 21st Century Version of the Arsenal of Democracy on Display: September 14, 2023

09/15/2023
By Robbin Laird September 14, 2023 was a significant day in the demonstration of the 21st century version of the arsenal of democracy and Denmark’s role in its realization. The first involved the arrival of the U.S.-led coalition built, sustained and operated high-end combat aircraft, the F-35 in Denmark. [caption…