The US Navy Adds to its Kill Web Capability: The Triton Comes to Italy

03/11/2024
By Robbin Laird The Triton is a key member of the Navy, joint and allied forces shaping a kill web maritime force. It is so important in my view for the maritime forces that I put a graphic highlighting the Triton coming to the Royal Australian Air Force. Yes RAAF!…

The Coming of Maritime Autonomous Systems: A New Book for 2024

03/10/2024
By LtGen Steve Rudder (Retired) The Ukraine employment of Unmanned Surface Vessels (USV) in attacks on the Russian Black Sea Fleet represents a window into the lethality of swarming and autonomous unmanned surface vessels. Because of their small radar cross-section, high speed, and agile maneuverability, USVs are likely going to…

An Update on the CH-53K and Shaping a Way Ahead: The Perspective of Col Fleeger

03/08/2024
By Robbin Laird Col Kate Fleeger is the head of NAVAIR’s PMA-261 which manages the cradle to grave procurement, development, support, fielding, and disposal of the entire family of H-53 heavy lift helicopters. Col Fleeger has an impressive background in working acquisition issues, and she and her team are providing…

Payloads, Lift, Autonomous Systems and EABOs

03/06/2024
By Robbin Laird The Marines in focusing on EABOs have two key lift assets which can deliver autonomous systems payloads to an EABO and to do so with the reduced signature goal which has been highlighted by LtGen Heckl. Maritime autonomous systems can be delivered to an EABO via an…

French Weapons for Ukraine: March 2024 Update

03/04/2024
By Pierre Tran Paris - The French armed forces ministry published March 4 a list with the value of weapons, military kit, and financial support provided in Ukraine’s bloody struggle against Russia, claiming a total of some €3.8 billion ($4.1 billion). The French official list showed military gear shipped to…

EABOs, the U.S. Navy and Reshaping Combat Clusters for Insertion of Effective Force

03/04/2024
The Marines are building new capabilities for force insertion which complement more traditional ways of operating. How do you insert force in various locations to hit the enemy where he isn’t? The basic concept of "hit where the enemy isn't" was well articulated in an interview, I did with the…

The United Kingdom Frames a New Uncrewed Systems Strategy

03/03/2024
Recently, the UK Ministry of Defence announced its new strategy to accelerate the development of uncrewed systems for its armed forces and to generate products for export as well. In a 22 February 2024 press release by the UK MoD, this new strategy was introduced as follows: A new strategy…

The Launch Point: Why a Combined Arms Operation with Maritime Autonomous Systems?

02/29/2024
By Robbin Laird In my last article, I highlighted a third way one can discuss autonomous systems working with manned air systems. This third way would focus upon crafting combat clusters which work in a combined arms operation involving a manned air system with autonomous maritime systems especially working as…