2010-05-22 Everyone knows that the F-35 is a stealth aircraft. This is one element of what makes it a fifth-generation aircraft. But what is not widely known is that the stealth or low observable (LO) character of the aircraft is significantly different from other stealth aircraft like the F-22. The…
A number of key drivers for change in cybersecurity policy are in play, including significant legislation pending, more than a few international regulatory bodies meeting, companies beginning to publicly complain about hacking from allegedly government entities, and now the United States State Department raising access to Cyber as a fundamental…
[caption id="attachment_3737" align="alignleft" width="500"] A Coast Guard 270-foot medium-endurance cutter sits offshore of Haiti as a Coast Guard MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew patrols Haiti's coastline Jan. 13. Coast Guard personnel from across the eastern United States have deployed on Coast Guard vessels and aircraft for the earthquake relief mission…
1/12/2010 An effective and flexible multi-mission capability is central to the strategic future of the United States. As the US engages in specific military or security campaigns, undoubtedly investments will have to be made on capabilities designed for specific operations. These specific or tailored solutions meet only a significantly limited…
By Ed Timperlake This is the first article of a new dossier on "Outlook for the Future", which will assess among other themes the next generations' perception and vision of the defense and security environment. *** [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="500"] BOSTON -- Marines from 1st Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment, stand under…
Mountains Surrounding Bagram by Fred Allison "Everybody wanted to go" Although a sizeable Army and coalition force inhabited the base at Bagram, the Marines were required to build their own camp and work spaces. So, as the VMA-513 pilots trained to fly and fight out of Bagram, an advance party,…
[caption id="attachment_2771" align="alignleft" width="300"] Michael W. Wynne[/caption] The Defense Industrial Base Under Pressure: How to Lead With Shrinking Manufacturing Capabilities? Schumpeter, in his classic approach to creative economic destruction, watched consolidation in technologies and industries driven by natural forces until a secondary or new technology essentially destroyed the hold…
9/17/09: The United States and its allies are in the midst of a significant financial downturn with serious consequences for defense acquisition. The “contingency operation” in Afghanistan and the “withdrawal” from Iraq both generate severe budgetary pressures and emphasize force acquisition priorities most appropriate to those operations. And the “withdrawal”…