2017-05-13 By Robbin Laird The RAF is positioning itself for a triple transition. The first transition is from the Tornado to Typhoon. The second is the transition is to a fifth generation enabled air combat force. The third transition is the deployment of F-35s aboard the new Queen Elizabeth class carriers…
2017-05-09 By Robbin Laird The Williams Foundation working closely with the Australian Defence Force has provided a public forum for rethinking how to reshape their defense force to deal with 21st century challenges. This is the sixth Special Report produced in cooperation with Second Line of Defense. The first report looked…
2017-05-15 The President has recently signed a new executive order on cyber security. According to an article by Brooke Singman published by Fox News on May 11, 2017: President Trump took aim at the federal government’s vulnerability to computer hacking Thursday, signing an executive order that mandates a top-down review…
2017-05-18 by Danny Lam The question of DPRK’s motives for acquiring a nuclear arsenal is central to the current debate about international security. Motives are ephemeral constructs that are difficult to assess. To wit, historians are still debating the motives of leaders of Germany, Japan, Britain, France, and US as…
2017-05-18 Not yet operational, an Aussie P-8 on a training mission, performed a search and rescue mission at sea. According to an article published May 17, 2017 on the Australian Department of Defence website: The Royal Australian Air Force’s (RAAF) latest maritime surveillance and response capability—the P-8A Poseidon,has assisted with…
2017-05-09 During an interview at the Amberley Air Base last month with Air Commodore Lennon and the 86th Wing Commander, Group Captain Adam Williams, we discussed the evolution of the KC-30A into Tanker 2.0. One aspect of that evolution was the coming of the robotic boom. According to Air Commodore…
2017-05-10 By Danny Lam DPRK’s track record and motives over decades affirm that deterrence (or sanctions) as usual will not work. The modus operadi of extortion (now with Weapons of Mass Destruction) is a feature of the Kim Dynasty and represent a fundamental departure from every previous regime that sought…
2017-05-07 By Robbin Laird In a 2015 piece, I highlighted three historic firsts for Italy in the F-35 program delivered in 2015. LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. -- At the beginning of the 20th Century, Italy was a pioneer in combat aviation. Although different at the beginning of the 21st century,…
