by Michael W. Wynne 21st Secretary of the USAF Under Secretary Work focused on TACAIR options for the USN and USMC. Work focused on “warfighter capability and affordability trades, and costs and potential cost savings of different TACAIR force structure combinations.” http://www.sldforum.com/2011/08/under-secretary-of-the-navy-robert-works-july-tac-air-memo/ Perhaps a better question would be to ask:…
By Dr. Richard Weitz 08/07/2011 - The PRC’s sustained military buildup has over time allowed the PLAN to modernize many of its platforms and weapons systems. Since the late 1990s, China has undertaken an ambitious modernization program that has produced approximately one hundred new warships since 2001. The PLAN already…
By the Honorable Ed Timperlake [slidepress gallery='navy-battle-fleet'] 08/07/2011 - The air fleet of an enemy will never get within striking distance of our coast as long as our aircraft carriers are able to carry the preponderance of air power to sea. — Real Admiral W. A. Moffet, Chief of the…
By Dr. Richard Weitz 08/03/2011 - The London-based International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) recently released an insightful new report on the security challenges presented by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) to the international community. Its latest Strategic Dossier, “North Korean Security Challenges: A Net Assessment,” offers a…
By Lt. General (Retired) Deptula 08/05/2011 - Since the advent of Goldwater-Nichols, a joint approach was to move contingency organizations and operations from independent, de-conflicted, service-oriented approaches to sustained interoperability. How well the U.S. military has done that, where we are today, and where we ought be heading, could and…
By Dr. Richard Weitz 08/03/2011 - The 84th anniversary of the founding of the People's Liberation Army (PLA), celebrated this Monday, August 1, is a good time to consider the growing power of PLA Navy, not least because the People’s Republic of China (PRC) looks set to launch its first…
08/02/2011 - Recently, Second Line of Defense sat down with Admiral Currier, the Deputy Commandant (Mission Support) of the USCG, to discuss the importance of the new National Security Cutter in executing the national maritime strategy. The NSC provides a focal point for deployed defense and security capabilities afloat and…
08/02/2011 - The introduction of non-US stealth aircraft into the global competition is a significant development. The Chinese and Russians have introduced developmental prototypes that signify both capabilities and intentions to enter the stealth aircraft game. The former Secretary of Defense indicated that this competition was years away; but it…
