Trojan Footprint is the premier Special Operations Forces exercise in Europe. While the exercise is focused on improving the ability to SOF to counter myriad threats, it also increases integration with conventional forces and enhances interoperability with our NATO allies and European partners. Most importantly, however, Trojan Footprint builds upon…
U.S. Marines conduct immediate action drills during exercise Dynamic Cape (DC 21.1) on April 20, 2021 at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. DC 21.1 is a command and control exercise simulating a contested environment to enhance operational readiness between II Marine Expeditionary Force partner nations and other Department of Defense entities.…
By Robbin Laird In the April 8, 2021, Williams Foundation seminar on Next Generation Autonomous Systems, an important consideration was how the ADF could leverage a broader ecosystem of change in the commercial sector where robotics and artificial intelligence were playing key roles. An important presentation at the seminar was…
By Marcus Hellyer The government’s 2020 defence strategic update provided refreshing clarity about Australia’s deteriorating strategic environment and the need for new military capabilities to address it. These include long-range strike capabilities to impose greater cost on potential great-power adversaries at greater range from Australia. The government also included a…
Evolved sea sparrow missiles and rolling-airframe missiles are launch from USS Gerald R. Ford’s (CVN 78) weapon sponsons during combat systems ship qualification trials (CSSQT), April 16, 2021. CSSQT is a Naval Sea Systems Command requirement to verify that ship personnel can operate and maintain their combat systems in a…
By Robbin Laird The Navy and the Marines are reworking ways to enhance their warfighting and deterrence capabilities in the North Atlantic. This effort has been referred to as preparing for the “Fourth Battle of the Atlantic” by Adm. James Foggo III, when he was commander of U.S. Naval Forces Europe/Africa. As CNO Admiral Richardson…
USS Gerald R. Ford’s (CVN 78) conducts combat systems ship qualification trials (CSSQT), April 16, 2021. CSSQT is a Naval Sea Systems Command requirement to verify that ship personnel can operate and maintain their combat systems in a safe and effective manner. Ford is underway in the Atlantic Ocean conducting…
By Robbin Laird Our focus over the past few years has been upon the shift from the Middle Eastern Land Wars to the refocus on peer competitors. The preparation for the high-end fight is a key part of this refocus, but not as the sole focus of attention; rather it…
