Working Amphibiosity with Japan at Iron Fist

03/15/2020
As the Japanese focus on strengthening the perimeter of their defenses of Japan, new systems are being procured and modifications to platforms being made. The purchase of Ospreys and F-35s both As and Bs, along with the modification of Japanese helicopter landing ships are entailed as Japan looks to its…

From Marine to Artist and Poet: The Journey of the Life of Ted Pellegatta, Jr.

03/14/2020
By Ed Timperlake In 1958 the Marines went ashore in Lebanon to save lives. In backing up that Presidential mission a young Marine, Ted Pellegatta, was part of the security detachment for Admiral Holloway who served as the Commander-in-Chief Eastern Atlantic and Med Forces. “Land the landing party” was ordered…

Visiting HMAS Rankin: The Collins Class Shapes a Way Ahead for the Next Generation Australian Submarine

03/14/2020
By Robbin Laird On March 12, 2020 I had a chance to visit HMAS Sterling and to visit the HMAS Rankin, one of the Collins class submarines homeported at HMAS Sterling on Garden Island. When I informed a senior U.S. Navy Admiral that I was going to visit the Royal…

New Government: New Defense Industrial Review of the UK

03/14/2020
In a March 5, 2020 article published on the UK Ministry of Defence website, it was announced that "a review that will revitalize the UK’s defence and security industrial sectors and improve productivity has been launched." The review will identify how the government can take a more strategic approach to ensure…

The New Build Australian Attack Submarine: Convergent Forces and Expectations

03/14/2020
By Robbin Laird This week I have had the opportunity to visit Western Australia. I visited both the Henderson shipyard and HMAS Stirling, the Collins submarine base. I will write in detail about those visits and discussions at the two facilities in the near future. These visits when combined with…

Political Will Is Key To European MALE UAV

03/11/2020
By Pierre Tran Paris - Political support has been vital for a European medium-altitude, long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicle, and even with that backing, years have passed before a program contract appears to be in reach, analysts said. France expects to green light a deal by mid year, which would clear…

The Return of ASW to the Front Burner for NATO: Dynamic Manta Exercise

03/10/2020
A NATO anti-submarine warfare exercise began off the coast of Italy in late February 2020. Dynamic Manta (DYMAN20) involves ships, submarines, aircraft and personnel from nine NATO countries. The aim of the exercise is to provide all participants with complex and challenging warfare training, to enhance their interoperability and proficiency…