Towards Flexible Strategic Capability: The C5 Modernization Asset

01/12/2010
1/12/2010 An effective and flexible multi-mission capability is central to the strategic future of the United States. As the US engages in specific military or security campaigns, undoubtedly investments will have to be made on capabilities designed for specific operations. These specific or tailored solutions meet only a significantly limited…

Geared For Afghanistan: An Interview with USMC Lieutenant-Colonel Pasagian

01/11/2010
As foot soldiers are in increased demand in the harsh terrain of Afghanistan while IEDs have created new types of vulnerabilities, individual protective gear for the infantryman keeps evolving and improving to address new kinds of challenges. SLD's Murielle Delaporte sat down with USMC Lieutenant-Colonel Arthur J. Pasagian, Program manager,…

Dramatic USCG Rescue Shows Impact of New C4ISR Systems

01/11/2010
Credit: USCG Atlantic Area, January 3, 2010 As we discussed in an earlier article, the new C4ISR systems allow the USCG to connect their assets and work with other agencies to force multiply. Unfortunately, you cannot break a bottle over a C4ISR system (without destroying it) to celebrate its introduction,…

Israel-India: A Strategic Relationship?

01/11/2010
By Franck Znaty In last November’s Strategic Assessment of the Tel-Aviv-based Institute for National Security Studies (INSS), Yiftah S. Shapir wrote an article entitled “Israel’s Arms Sales to India”. Shapir comments on the recent developments that put Israel as the number one arms supplier to India and looks at where…

Crafting Cyber Operations: A Terms of Reference for Facing 21st Century Challenges

01/11/2010
As the Wall Street Journal put it, “web is new front among cold war foes.” In this article, the author, Siobha Gorman, noted that : "Alleged attacks on Google Inc. from China redraw the battle lines between the U.S. and its former Cold War adversaries, who are now squaring off…

Our History and Lessons Learned Corner: Bagram Nightmares (Part Three)

01/10/2010
By Fred H. Allison (U.S. Marine Corps History Division) [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="600" caption="Mountains Surrounding Bagram"][/caption] Harriers Sortie Rate Double the Norm Making a globe-spanning flight from home field at Yuma, Arizona, the Marine aviators arrived on 15 October and began flying missions within 48 hours.  The squadron deployed with…

Speaking from Experience: Ken Miller on FFP Contracts

01/09/2010
Challenges Facing Widespread Use of Firm-Fixed Price (FFP) Contracts in the Defense Sector A Way to Shape Acquisition Reform The Obama Administration seeks to apply firm-fixed price contracting in a number of sectors, including defense.  Indeed, it appears that the Administration equates the use of this contract vehicle with the…

General Hawley on: Why Weapons Systems Cost So Much – the 101 Version (Part Two)

01/05/2010
By Richard E. Hawley, General (Ret), USAF General Hawley served as the Commander, Air Combat Command and Commander US Air Forces in Europe.  Additionally he was the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition. *** PART TWO This is not an easy question to answer.  There are three…