By Robbin Laird There is a clear recognition that an ability to actually have a kill web force requires the training to actually do it. In the live environment the focus will be upon working the physical pieces of operating air systems with distributed ground and naval capabilities. The challenge…
Although the Osprey has become a globally deployed aircraft, the supply chain has not. This is crucial as we move forward into an era of regionally specific crises involving peer competitors. It will not just a race to get that Fed Ex delivery from the US through foreign customs, it…
Clearly, as the challenge from the Chinese Navy grows, the US needs to work with core allies and partners to shape more effective defenses in the years ahead. India is clearly a partner in this effort. According to an article published in April 2019by our partner India Strategic, the US…
At the beginning of the 1990s, with the collapse of the Soviet Union, Finland established a stance of enhanced independence when it purchased Hornets from the United States and began a process of working with Western allied airpower. In an article published on February 16, 2018, we looked forward and…
By Robbin Laird With the introduction of new communications and video technologies, military decision making has changed over the past twenty years. A significant point of change was the introduction of Rover which created what Secretary Wynne, under whose mandate Rover was introduced, referred to as the democratization of the…
The CH-53K provides a truly unique heavy lift capability. Not only is it fully designed to operate in a wide variety of support missions from the sea base, but it is built as a digital aircraft from the ground up. Given its digital systems, it can work with a variety…
By Robbin Laird I have had the opportunity to follow the standup of the Osprey from the outset of its first deployments. Clearly, one highlight of shaping that narrative was the first time it was used in combat in Afghanistan. That interview was done by phone with Lt Col. Bianca,…
By Robbin Laird I would argue that the US and its allies are not so much facing a great power competition. I would refer to it as a global contest between 21st century authoritarian powers and the liberal democracies. And on each side of the competition there is significant cross…
