Britain’s blue chip aerospace and defence sector manufacturer Rolls-Royce has received a contract for $315m (£194m) from Pratt & Whitney to supply its LiftSystem (pictured) for 17 F-35B Lightning II aircraft. Rolls is the only company in the world to produce the advanced technology that enables F-35B aircraft to perform…
Department of State: Cybersecurity Update By Richard Weitz The Department leads U.S. international efforts to strengthen global cybersecurity. It does so by building capacity in developing countries, promoting interoperable standards and enhancing international cooperation to respond to cyberthreats. The State Department is involved with almost every element of international cybersecurity…
By Robbin Laird The current transition in the PRC is unprecedented in modern times in Asia. A major lynchpin of the global economy and an ascendant power in Asia will face significant political uncertainty in an authoritarian power structure. The rules will be scripted as part of the power struggle;…
The F-35 represents a new approach to the development, production, system and sustainment of a fleet of combat aircraft. Additionally, the F-35 takes an innovative approach to collaborative upgrades over the airframe and global fleet’s life cycle. Too often an understanding of the basic aircraft rolling out of production right…
Recently, we posted a piece looking at the impact of the new large container cargo ships on US ports and facilities. https://www.sldinfo.com/the-emergence-of-very-large-cargo-ships-another-contribution-to-“gapsmanship”/ [caption id="attachment_38383" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="The Fabioloa is only half full for this test of the port and demonstrates the challenges facing the USCG and the ports. "][/caption] And…
by Robbin Laird President Sarkozy was defeated in a close election on Sunday in France. This second round of the voting occurred after the right fractured in voting for Sarko and Le Pen in the first round, a first round in which Le Pen (this time the daughter) did very…
The latest issue of Strategic Insights deals with a number of key maritime security issues. The mix of non-state and state conflicts is a key element of the evolving strategic challenge. In the first article, recent activities of Al Qaeda are the subject of attention. Al Qaeda in the Islamic…
2012-05-2012 By Raj I’m currently deployed to Afghanistan in my role as a reserve pilot in the USAF. Here follows a short update: I’ve been at Bagram Air Base, just north of Kabul, for the past three weeks and will remain here through the middle of February. I’m flying missions…
