The French Defense Minister on the Carrier Shut Down

04/17/2020
By Pierre Tran Paris - Armed forces minister Florence Parly denied April 17 media reports the captain of the Charles de Gaulle had asked for an early return to base to limit the spread of coronavirus on board the aircraft carrier. “It has been said the captain wanted to break…

Working Common Combat Systems Across the Fleet: The Case of the New Build Australian Submarine

04/17/2020
A key aspect of how the Royal Australian Navy is working integration across the fleet and shaping a way ahead for the ADF as an integrated distributed combat force is shaping commonality across its combat systems. As Vice Admiral (Retired) Tim Barrett has highlighted about the approach: “We see new…

The Coronavirus Crisis: Special Report

04/17/2020
  This special report brings together in one publication our recent pieces published on Second Line of Defense and Defense.info, since the coronavirus crisis became a significant crisis management challenge. We cover a number of topics, indicated in the Table of Contents for the Report: For the PDF version of…

Preparing for the US Navy’s Transition from the C2 to the CMV-22B: Meeting the Challenge

04/16/2020
By Robbin Laird On February 7, 2020, the US Navy officially received its first CMV-22B Osprey, the replacement for its venerable C-2 Greyhound aircraft. I attended the ceremony held at Amarillo, Texas and had a chance to talk with a number of the participants before and after the ceremony. Having…

The AH-1Z and Its Evolving Contribution to Marines in the Maritime Fight

04/15/2020
By Robbin Laird My recent discussions with Major Thomas Duff and Mr. Michael Manifor, HQMC Aviation, APW-53, Attack and Utility Helicopter Coordinators, about the Viper maritime attack helicopter provided insights into how this asset is evolving as the MAGTF itself is being reshaped for its broader spectrum missions beyond the…

French Defense Industrial Re-Set as France Prepares to Re-Emerge from the Coronavirus Crisis

04/15/2020
By Pierre Tran Paris - Dassault Aviation has resumed training flights for Indian pilots on the Rafale fighter jet, as the aircraft builder seeks to meet contract requirements despite the deadly spread of coronavirus. “At Merignac, the (conversion training center) activities started on Monday with a daily mission for two…

Reshaping China Strategy: Reconsidering the Role and Place of the Military Dimension

04/14/2020
By Robbin Laird The Coronavirus crisis and its management by the liberal democracies is clearly and inflection point. Moving forward choices will be made shaping the decade ahead in terms of basic national strategies as well as with allies. A key aspect of shaping a way ahead clearly will be…