Floating around: Army’s watercraft strategy in need of facelift, work continues on boat plans

Floating around: Army’s watercraft strategy in need of facelift, work continues on boat plans
Floating around: Army’s watercraft strategy in need of facelift, work continues on boat plans

“Envision a swarm of these autonomous vessels going out to various island chains … not having to beach because we’re gonna have the UAVs come in, meet somewhere over the water, grab portions, and take that AOR’s portion … of ammo, food, blood,” said Rob Watts, the deputy director of the Army’s contested logistics cross-functional team.

‘Unmanned’ drones take too many humans to operate, says top Army aviator

‘Unmanned’ drones take too many humans to operate, says top Army aviator
‘Unmanned’ drones take too many humans to operate, says top Army aviator

With experienced pilots and ground crew leaving the service in droves, the Army is struggling to balance equipment modernization and unit training for large-scale, drone-driven war.

Rapid updates, flexible authorities key for modern combat, says Army acquisition chief

Rapid updates, flexible authorities key for modern combat, says Army acquisition chief
Rapid updates, flexible authorities key for modern combat, says Army acquisition chief

Assistant Secretary Doug Bush defended the controversial Middle-Tier Acquisition process and said he wanted to use the streamlined Software Pathway more, arguing speed is life on constantly evolving battlefields.

Underfunding the US Army undermines deterrence in Taiwan

Underfunding the US Army undermines deterrence in Taiwan
Underfunding the US Army undermines deterrence in Taiwan

Congress must stop shortchanging the Army budget, especially modernization, so it can play its proper role in the Indo-Pacific and worldwide, writes the former chief of US Army Pacific.

COVID-19, Supply Chain Issues Hampering Pentagon’s Quest To Buy Counter-Drone Tech

COVID-19, Supply Chain Issues Hampering Pentagon’s Quest To Buy Counter-Drone Tech
COVID-19, Supply Chain Issues Hampering Pentagon’s Quest To Buy Counter-Drone Tech

Half of the companies invited to participate in a counter-drone demonstration this September ended up skipping it due to COVID-19.

Pentagon & NSC Veteran Tapped For SecArmy: Christine Wormuth

Pentagon & NSC Veteran Tapped For SecArmy: Christine Wormuth
Pentagon & NSC Veteran Tapped For SecArmy: Christine Wormuth

“She brings a wealth of experience in national security [that] will help her in the inevitable Pentagon brawls for funding,” retired Lt. Gen. Tom Spoehr told me.

AUSA Fires Back At Air Force: Long-Range Missiles Aren’t ‘Stupid’

AUSA Fires Back At Air Force: Long-Range Missiles Aren’t ‘Stupid’
AUSA Fires Back At Air Force: Long-Range Missiles Aren’t ‘Stupid’

The benefit of diverse and effective long-range precision fires was reinforced by then-U.S. Pacific Command Commander Navy Adm. Harry Harris, who challenged the Army to develop more lethal, long-range precision fires that could not only engage adversary land targets, but also sink ships at sea.

Army Missiles, Missile Defense Race Budget Crunch To 2023

Army Missiles, Missile Defense Race Budget Crunch To 2023
Army Missiles, Missile Defense Race Budget Crunch To 2023

“In my career, certainly this is the most amount of modernization I’ve seen,” Brig. Gen. Brian Gibson says. Can multiple Army programs make their 2023 deadline?

Train Small Units For Big Wars: Gen. McConville

Train Small Units For Big Wars: Gen. McConville
Train Small Units For Big Wars: Gen. McConville

When high-tech enemies hack and jam communications, “small units need to be able to operate on their own,” the Army Chief of Staff said. “If they are not masters of their craft, they are not going to be able to do that.”

Conferences In A Pandemic – And After: AUSA’s Lessons Learned

Conferences In A Pandemic – And After: AUSA’s Lessons Learned
Conferences In A Pandemic – And After: AUSA’s Lessons Learned

Holding events virtually saves venue, transportation, and lodging costs, AUSA’s Guy Swan says, but setting up and checking all the digital links takes way more work from staff. They’re hoping to do part of their October Annual Meeting in person in DC.

Intel Still Needs Humans In Age Of AI: Lt. Gen. Potter

Intel Still Needs Humans In Age Of AI: Lt. Gen. Potter
Intel Still Needs Humans In Age Of AI: Lt. Gen. Potter

Artificial intelligence can’t prepare an in-depth assessment of de-escalation options or build relationships with foreign allies who have sources Americans don’t, said the Army’s deputy chief of staff for intel.

Budget Up, French Army Preps For Major Wargames With US

Budget Up, French Army Preps For Major Wargames With US
Budget Up, French Army Preps For Major Wargames With US

After decades fighting guerrillas and terrorists, France is refocusing on Russia and China with increased budgets, intensified training, stronger divisions, and new armored vehicles — much like the US. But the French approach is still very different.

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Intelligence, Cyber, and EW Evolve for All-Domain Operations

Intelligence, Cyber, and EW Evolve for All-Domain Operations
Intelligence, Cyber, and EW Evolve for All-Domain Operations

Leonardo DRS is supporting the Army with ultra-low SWaP systems that operate at multiple security levels for all-domain applications.

COVID Drives AUSA Mega-Conference Online: Gen. Ham

COVID Drives AUSA Mega-Conference Online: Gen. Ham
COVID Drives AUSA Mega-Conference Online: Gen. Ham

Bringing together an estimated 33,000 soldiers and civilians from around the world was just too dangerous in the coronavirus era.