The Navy can’t afford to slow-roll its new trainer, even as competitors drop
With Boeing and Lockheed both dropping out of the competition to replace the Navy's T-45, service officials need to press ahead, columnist Robbin Laird writes.
The new Indo-Pacific security architecture: From hub-and-spoke to allied security web
This is the latest in a series of semi-regular columns by Robbin Laird, where he will tackle current defense issues through the lens of more than 45 years of defense expertise in both the US and abroad. The goal of these columns: to look back at how questions and perspectives of the past should inform decisions being made today.
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Localizing tactical communications for sovereign, NATO-ready C3I
Beyond foreign sales, Rafael’s model enables tech transfer, local engineering, and is a template for NATO partners.
Lessons learned at Steel Knight 25: Operating within and as a kill web
Columnist Robbin Laird visited a major Marine exercise in December, and left with a few key impressions for the future of the Corps.
Hung Cao and the new Pacific defense architecture
Robbin Laird and Edward Timperlake discuss newly-appointed Navy Undersecretary Hung Cao’s thoughts on Guam and Vietnam’s roles in the Indo-Pacific when it comes to deterring China.
The Marine Corps 250 year legacy, through the lens of 2nd Marine Air Wing
Robbin Laird, in this column, celebrates the 250th anniversary of the Marine Corps by looking at the transformation of the 2nd Marine Air Wing.
Building fighter pilots for the software age: Inside IFTS’s training approach
Robbin Laird visited Italy's International Flight Training School in Sardinia at Decimomannu Airbase to see how it approaches training aviators for modern combat.
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Networked for the fight: Army aviation’s next advantage
As operating environments grow more complex, Link 16 provides instantaneous, mission-wide connectivity to ensure no aircraft flies alone.
How the CH-53K King Stallion can transform Marine heavy-lift operations
The CH-53K King Stallion is more than just upgraded CH-53E, explains Robbin Laird in this column.
Credible prompt strike: How hypersonic weapons could transform Pacific deterrence
"Keeping hypersonic missiles in the phase of a science project will not deter the Chinese," writes Robbin Laird in this column.
Baltic Sentry mission could provide proving ground for NATO’s underwater drones
Robbin Laird spoke to Torben Mikkelsen, former head of the Danish navy, about how NATO's Baltic Sentry effort could protect the Baltic Sea from Russian threats.
Why adding the Osprey to the Atlantic Naval Air Force matters
Analyst Robbin Laird writes that the CMV-22B "provides significant help with the challenge of contested logistics — a challenge that is only going to get worse with the Navy focused on distributed operations."
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MQ-9B and Gambit Series: Advancing European Defense Capabilities
GA-ASI will build Gambit aircraft in Europe, partnered with European-based companies, with airframes available for international procurement starting in 2027.
How to do integrated training, Marine Corps style
In this op-ed from Robbin Laird, he takes a look at the importance of the Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron One in training and readiness.
Putin’s diplomacy with North Korea deepens the global risk in Ukraine
In this op-ed, Robbin Laird and Harald Malmgren discuss what Putin's diplomacy with North Korea can mean for the war in Ukraine.
Operations, innovation and training: A discussion with the commander of CSG-4
Columnist Robbin Laird talks naval training with Rear Adm. Max “Pepper” McCoy, commander of Carrier Strike Group 4.
The Silent Service no more? Pacific submarine fleet a key part of Pacific deterrence
Rear Adm. Jeffrey Jablon, the Submarine Force, US Pacific Fleet (SUBPAC) commander, talks with author Robbin Laird about his view of pacific deterrence.