By Robbin Laird My visits to the UK and Australia over the past five years indicate growing working relationships between the two air forces but also that the significant rethink in Australia about shaping a fifth-generation combat force has clearly had its impact and resonance in the United Kingdom as…
The Japanese along with the USAF and the USN are trained to operate the Osprey at the USMC’s New River Air Station. The increased number of aircraft and partners is providing a welcome challenge to the Marines at New River. In a recent visit to 2nd MAW, the training role…
By James Bosbotinis The US Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) published an unclassified assessment of Chinese military developments on 15 January 2019. The report, China Military Power: Modernizing a Force to Fight and Win, disclosed that China is developing ‘new medium- and long-range stealth bombers to strike regional and global targets’, thus confirming long-standing…
With the continuing threat from North Korea and the Chinese pushing out their perimeter of operations, Japan has had little choice than to enhance the capabilities of their forces and push their operational reach out to the Japanese perimeter. According to a recent story in Japan Times published on March…
By Robbin Laird I am writing a three-part series to deal with some lessons learned from the 1980s which provided some insights with the current challenge of dealing with Russia. The Cold War is over; but the Russians are back. This is NOT the Cold War; and we do not…
According to a press release from BAE Systems Australia, the company is working with the Commonwealth of Australia to work supply chain innovations with regard to the F-35. Given Australia's role in regional support for the aircraft, this is an especially important effort. BAE Systems Australia and the Advanced Manufacturing…
The ADF is focused on building a fifth generation defense force. Working the kill web is a key element of the con-ops which will define the force. New acquisitions are being looked at from that perspective, with the F-35 being the core transformational building block. In a recent article by…
Shaping ways to gain transient software advantage and rapid insertion of technological advances is key to a 21st century software-enabled combat force. In a recent article published by the UK MoD, the engagement of Britain in the PREDA effort was highlighted. Digital apps are set to redefine the battlefield as…
