Recently, during an exercise in the Persian Gulf, a MARTAC Devil Ray USV was refueled by a USCG vessel. The production version of the Devil Ray can go more than 1000 nautical miles at normal speed but with refueling it obviously can stay on operations much longer. And staying on…
By Robbin Laird Too often, the focus is upon Taiwan as a U.S.-Chinese problem or confrontation. Leaving aside the question of why the Communist Party ruling the mainland has any right to seize a free democracy, such a focus misses the question of who lives in the first island chain.…
According to a 2012 Congressional Research Service Report: “In the fall of 2011, the Obama Administration issued a series of announcements indicating that the United States would be expanding and intensifying its already significant role in the Asia- Pacific, particularly in the southern part of the region. The fundamental goal…
By Pierre Tran Paris - Germany has kept the door open to France and Italy joining Berlin’s project for an extended European missile defense system in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, a senior German government official said June 30. “The European Sky Shield Initiative is open to all…
By Pierre Tran Paris - Belgium has joined as an observer to the Future Combat Air System (FCAS), adding a fourth nation to a partnership which bears French ambitions to boost European defense, amid perception of a leadership competition between France and Germany. “The participation of Belgium as observer will…
By Robbin Laird When looking at the coming of the CH-53K to the fleet, it is shaped considerably by the air systems approach. The aircraft has been guided throughout its life by a digital thread approach which is focused on concurrently shaping development, with testing, with build, with sustainment efforts…
By Robbin Laird I first visited the Sikorsky plant in Stratford, Connecticut in 2018 to view the beginning efforts to standup the production line for the new build CH-53K helicopter. I returned in May 2023 to see the progress in doing so as the CH-53K begins its journey to the…
U.S. Central Command and the Saudi Armed Forces conduct a multilateral exercise between the nations of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). This exercise is designed to demonstrate the U.S. commitment to GCC partners, and regional security and stability. Eagle Resolve 23 (ER23) is conducted bi-annually with Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)…
