A Deadly Alliance

06/26/2011
06/26/2011 By Douglas Farah Senior Fellow, Financial Investigations and Transparency International Assessment and Strategy Center Adjunct Fellow, Americas Program, CSIS http://www.ndu.edu/press/emerging-alliances.html Introduction Terrorist-Criminal Pipelines and Criminalized States: Emerging Alliances for the 21st Century 06/21/2011 - On July 1, 2010 the U.S attorney for the Southern District of New York unsealed…

Eurofighter at The Paris Air Show: The Indian Dimension

06/22/2011
06/22/2011 By Robbin Laird What are the strategic potentials of a Eurofighter in India from an industrial point of view?  Much depends on what India is able to do and can re-organize itself to do.  If properly organized, India could shape a significant aerospace future and Eurofighter could become a…

Sustainability: The Missing Factor in the U.S. Defense Debate

06/20/2011
By Dr. Robbin Laird 06/20/2011 - The U.S. defense debate is being framed as defined by constrained fiscal choices and program cuts.  Also, the real need for a strategic review for the post-Afghan military is pressing. But rampant so-called “contingency” operations are sucking up operational money and draining procurement capabilities…

F-35, Maintenance and the Challenge of Service Standardization

06/20/2011
An Interview with Master Gunnery Sergeant McKay and Major Margolis 06/20/2011 - In late April 2011, Second Line of Defense sat down with Master Gunnery Sergeant Thomas McKay and Major Margolis of HQMC Aviation Logistics Support Branch.  The focus was upon the strategic opportunities inherent the F-35 program to re-shape…

French “Vampires” and US Air/Sea Battle

06/19/2011
06/19/2011 by Ed Timperlake CNN recently reported from the deck of a French assault ship that as the night arrives over Libya.  French Attack helicopters go into battle. The Tiger helicopter is being used in Afghanistan and operates off of French helo carriers as well.  Helicopter gun ships leave as…

Assessing the Evolution of the Global Market

06/18/2011
By Dr. Robbin Laird 06/19/2011 - The opportunity to discuss the potential impacts of Indian and Brazilian fighter competitions on the next phase of global development presented itself when I crossed paths with Reuben Johnson at the Airbus Military Trade Media event in mid-May SLD: I’m talking to Reuben Johnson,…

21st Century Air Capabilities

06/18/2011
By Dr. Robbin Laird 06/18/2011 - 21st century air capabilities are built around the three “M”s.  The aircraft need to be multi-mission and manufactured to be significantly more maintainable than 20th century aircraft. The Three "M"s (Credit: SLD) In today’s world, the acquisition of aircraft in financially stringent environments favors…