The Way Ahead with FLRAA: Insights from AUSA 2024

10/23/2024
By Robbin Laird The panel on the future of vertical lift and interviews conducted by the press during the recent AUSA conference provided further insights regarding the FLRAA program and the way ahead. The conference was held from the 14-16 October in Washington D.C. Let us address first the schedule…

Defence Industry in Australia: Building Strategic Depth and Resilience in Support of the Ready Force

10/07/2024
The September 26, 2024 Sir Richard Williams Foundation focused on accelerating the capabilities of the ready force. Defence industry in Australia is obviously a key player in the ability for the government to find ways to enhance the ready force. A panel of six industrial representatives discussed this challenge lead…

Making a Good Aircraft Even Better: Osprey Modernization

06/10/2024
By Jo Ann Y. Williams, Ed.D. Attending SOF Week 2024 in Tampa recently made me reflect on the V-22 Osprey program’s past triumphs and challenges, as well as its future. Over a decade ago, I was part of a team that helped train Osprey pilots. Many of today’s Osprey squadron commanders are…

A Look at Texelis: French Builder of Mobility Packages for Armored Vehicles

05/20/2024
By Pierre Tran Paris - Texelis, a builder of mobility packages for armored vehicles, is working on an electric  motorized wheel as an alternative to conventional drivelines, chief executive Jean Vandel told the Association des Journalistes de Defense, a press club. The company is developing and investing in new technology, including…

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 —…