NATO HIP Helicopter Task Force Gets Momentum

10/25/2009
On October 23rd, 2009 during the NATO Defense Ministers meeting in Bratislava,  nine NATO Allies signed a declaration of intent to contribute to the Czech-lead initiative to develop a multi-national transport helicopter programme for NATO (see: HIP helicopter initiative) and facilitate in-theater deployment of  these  much-needed air assets. The nine countries…

Rotorcraft and Military Operations

10/21/2009
Rotorcraft are significant contributors to military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.  They provide combat support, logistical lift, troop transport, medivac, and integrated C4ISR for the battlefield.  The Iraq conditions have provided significant stress on the fleet and the need to provide engineering and maintenance solutions for operating in sand, heat…

Providing Connectivity on the Go: The Role of Mobile Routers

10/20/2009
A key transformation of the US military associated with the experiences in Iraq and Afghanistan has been the use of the Internet and mobile communications to support deployed troops and distributed operations.  The deployed force is relying increasingly on mobile video as well as data provided via a secure internet. …

Refuelability: The Missing Element of the Tanker Debate

10/19/2009
The acquisition of new tankers for the USAF remains challenging, as it gets underway for the third iteration.  Virtually every aspect of the bids has been contested in blogs, newspaper, the GAO and commented on by various pundits.  Whether the politics surrounding the bids can be attenuated to ultimately serve…

Building Blocks for the Con-ops of Extended Deterrence of Iran

10/18/2009
Dick Kugler has recently published an interesting examination of the tough question of how one would deter a nuclear-armed Iran.[1] (http://www.ndu.edu/ctnsp/Def_Tech/DTP%2067%20Deterring%20Iran.pdf). He examines this from the standpoint of how the U.S. could spearhead an extended deterrent regime to deal with the emergence of a new nuclear power in the Middle East.…

Shaping a Collaborative Maritime Strategy for the Pacific: The USCG Role

10/07/2009
A new approach to maritime security which provides for layered defense of the American homeland built around maritime domain awareness is viewed as a crucial effort in the United States.  To build capabilities for the new approach requires redirecting U.S. maritime capabilities away from an emphasis on overseas presence and…