The Kill Web, Payloads, and the Surface Fleet

02/17/2021
As the U.S. Navy and its joint and coalition partners rework their forces to deliver capability through an integrated but distributed operational force, a key element are the payloads which can be leveraged throughout the modular task forces making up such a force. As Ed Timperlake has argued:  “Payload utility…

The UK Establishes a New Space Command and Names its First Commander

02/17/2021
An article published on November 19, 2020 in the UK Defence Journal highlighted the establishment of a new UK Space Command On 18 November 2020, the UK announced its proposal to establish a new military command dedicated to space, similar to the recent moves taken by allied countries such as…

Next Steps in Preparing CH-53k for IOC: VMX-1 Marines Solely Maintain and Prepare Aircraft for Flight

02/16/2021
A CH-53K “King Stallion” prepares to take off at Marine Corps Air Station New River, North Carolina, Jan.14, 2021. The historic moment marked the first time the CH-53K was flown after being solely maintained and brought to readiness by Marines prior to flight. The CH-53K will replace the CH-53E “Super…

Working with Allies: The View from Second Fleet

02/15/2021
Recently, we posted a recent piece on Vice Admiral Lewis, head of 2nd Fleet and the Joint Force Commander Norfolk. We highlighted a recent speech by the VADM which underscored that: "We recognize in the Navy and the Joint Force that we have capability gaps that require our attention –…

Logs Supply Chain Critical in Fiji Relief Effort

02/14/2021
By Captain Zoe Griffyn ADF and Republic of Fiji Military Forces’ logistics teams ensured vital supplies got to the thousands of people who needed them in cyclone-ravaged Fiji. About 120 tonnes of goods were unloaded from HMAS Adelaide in the disaster-relief effort following the devastation caused by Tropical Cyclone Yasa. The category…

ADMM-Plus 10th Anniversary

02/11/2021
On December 10, 2020, Minister of Defense Kishi attended the ceremony for the 10th Anniversary of the Founding of the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus (hereinafter referred to as "ADMM-Plus"), the 7th ADMM-Plus, and the 6th ASEAN-Japan Defence Ministers’ Informal Meeting via a videoconference. What is ADMM-Plus? The ADMM-Plus is the…

Reshaping Nordic Defense Capability to Meet the Russian Challenge

02/08/2021
By Robbin Laird In our recently released book entitled The Return of Direct Defense: Meeting the 21st Century Authoritarian Challenge, we highlighted that the focus of European defense was emerging as nations with defense capabilities oriented to operate integrated operations as “coalitions of the willing.” There is no single defense…