2013-10-15 By Robbin Laird and Ed Timperlake The USN is introducing new platforms and systems in the decade ahead. These platforms and systems will introduce change in the concepts of operations and re-shape the role which legacy platforms and systems can play in the future. At the heart of the…
2013-10-13 We have focused for several months on the story of the B-17 in World War II and its significance. http://sldinfo.wpstage.net/the-b-17-and-its-continuing-legacy/ We have focused particularly upon the celebration in Noirmoutier, France of the crash of a B-17 on July 4, 1943 and the efforts to honor the brave crew as…
10/12/2013: In September 2013, VMX-22 and the MARSOC participated in testing the capabilities of the Osprey and its upgraded software to perform long range and high altitude rescue missions. According to the CO of the squadron, Col. Michael Orr: As part of our operational test on a new Osprey software,…
2013-10-11 By Robbin Laird When discussing the “shift” in U.S. policy towards the Pacific with Europeans, one is usually treated to a strategic analysis of the shift. The U.S. is seen as shifting from Europe and moving its interests to dealing with China and the Pacific. And the U.S. must…
2013-10-09 By Robbin Laird Over the years, I have worked often on the practical side of European defense. When dealing with the last decade before the collapse of the Soviet Union, a key theme was the challenge of dealing with Euro Missiles. Then the collapse of the Warsaw Pact posed…
2013-10-07 By Robbin Laird India is a key country in shaping 21st century strategy for the U.S. and Europe. India is important in and of itself, but also as a counterpart to the rise of China as an authoritarian global power. As the world’s largest democracy, India is in many…
2013-10-06 By Gulshan Luthra The recent Indo-US summit between Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh and Mr Brack Obama seems to have spurred the subdued ties between the two countries. There is progress on two strategic aspects, nuclear as well as defense. Washington has supported India’s desire to join four nuclear and…
2013-10-05 By Air Marshal (Retd) AK Trikha In the next decade or so the Indian Air Force (IAF) would gradually shed its legacy fighters (MiG- 21 being the archetypical example). Replacements will consist of vastly superior fourth plus generation aircraft. With anticipated induction of up to 270 Su-30 MKI, 126 MMRCA…