Agile Combat Employment
04/07/2023
Description of the concept of Agile Combat Employment using a simulated scenario with illustrative phases. 12.15.2022 Video by James Self Air University Public Affairs
Integrated Deterrence and the China Challenge: The Perspective of General Wilsbach, the PACAF Commander
04/06/2023
By Robbin Laird At the 30 March 2023 Williams Foundation seminar which focused on the way ahead for deterrence, one of the most significant of the presentations was General Wilsbach, the PACAF commander. He has come to Williams seminars since he was the 11th USAF Commander. And as PACAF Commander,…
Triton’s Role in Australian Defense and Deterrence
04/06/2023
By Robbin Laird I have followed the progress of Triton in the coming of the 21st century U.S. Navy kill web enterprise for some time. The first interview I did focusing on Triton was during a 2011 visit to San Diego. In an interview with Commander Johansson, the P-3 commander…
The CH-53K and USMC Transformation: Preparing for Entry into Service
04/05/2023
By Robbin Laird Recently I visited NAVAIR at Pax River Naval Air Station and met with the H-53 Heavy Lift Helicopters Program Manager (PMA-261), Colonel Kate Fleeger, U.S. Marine Corps. This officer has a very distinguished and interesting background, which intersects well with the coming of the CH-53K to the…
The Perspective of Air Marshal Chipman: Shaping a Way Ahead for the RAAF
04/04/2023
By Robbin Laird I have known Air Marshal Chipman since he was the first co-chair of Plan Jericho. My first interview with him was with his co-chair Jake Campbell, now of Northrop Grumman. In that first interview conducted in their offices in 2015, the emphasis was taking the coming of…
The Shift to Distributed Maritime Operations: The CMV-22B Empowers the Concept
04/03/2023
By Robbin Laird In an interview I did earlier this year with Vice Admiral Whitesell, the U.S. Navy air boss, he underscored that the shift to distributed maritime operations was a work in progress. As he noted: “We are in an experimentation phase. We are working force distribution and integration.…
The Strategic Shift and Australia Recasts Its Defense Policy: The March Williams Foundation March 2023 Seminar
03/31/2023
By Robbin Laird The latest Williams Foundation Seminar was held on March 30, 2023 in Canberra. It was entitled “Sharpening the Edge of Australia’s National Deterrence Capability” and focused on the strategic transition of Australia and the ADF in meeting the challenges of the decade ahead. I asked one of…
Evolving European Fighter Programs: A March 2023 Update
03/29/2023
By Pierre Tran Paris - It is still early days in the studies for a European New Generation Fighter (NGF) and a target weight has yet to be decided, but it is clear 20 tonnes is excessive for the planned fighter jet, a source working on the project said. Weight…