top of page
From Fourth to Fifth Generation: Enter the F-35A Lightning II — Brian Weston
This is the third in a series of posts by Air Vice-Marshal Brian Weston (Retd.) describing the RAAF’s transition through five generations...
Nov 12, 20174 min read
Exploiting the Niche: The C-27J Spartan Battlefield Airlifter — Brad Drew
Is the Spartan a miniature Hercules or an oversized Caribou? Brad Drew argues the Spartan’s unique combination of capabilities means the...
Oct 8, 20175 min read
From 2nd to 4th Generation: The RAAF’s transition from the Mirage IIIO to the F/A-18A Hornet
In his previous post, Brian Weston described the RAAF’s transition from the Avon Sabre to the Mirage IIIO during the 1960s. The Mirage...
Sep 24, 20174 min read
A new attitude towards electronic warfare — Travis Hallen
On Wednesday 23 August, the Williams Foundation hosted a seminar exploring A New Approach and Attitude to Electronic Warfare in...
Aug 27, 20177 min read
An ISR Force by Design — Paul Hay
This week saw the Australian Defence Force (ADF) undertake its largest amphibious landing since the Second World War as part of its...
Jul 16, 20176 min read
The Internet of ISR — Paul Hay
If we are already swimming in sensors and drowning in data, what can we do to get our heads above water? Wing Commander Paul Hay argues...
Jun 18, 20174 min read
Exploiting Latent Capacity: TacRecce, SAR and GMTI — Squadron Leader Jimmy
‘Podded’ capabilities have the potential to significantly increase the flexibility of Air Force assets across a range of traditional and...
Jun 4, 20174 min read
Exploiting Latent Capacity: The Potential of ISR and Multi-Mission Augmentation Pods
‘Podded’ capabilities have the potential to significantly increase the flexibility of Air Force assets across a range of traditional and...
May 26, 20177 min read
Preparing Air Force’s ISREW Airmen — Paul Hay
The Air Force’s exploitation of its suite of advanced capabilities will hinge on a highly-skilled and agile workforce. In this post, Wing...
May 5, 20176 min read
Are we missing out on valuable ISR opportunities? — Paul Hay
In a future networked force, can we afford to have single-mission platforms? Wing Commander Paul Hay makes the case for air mobility...
Apr 13, 20176 min read
Meeting the challenge of integrated operations – Robbin Laird
Like the RAAF, the Royal Norwegian Air Force is currently undertaking a major modernisation program, including the acquisition of F-35As,...
Mar 13, 20174 min read
Coming soon to a city near you? Autonomous “taxi-drones” – Editorial
The likely introduction of driverless, autonomous “taxi-drones” in major cities may have implications for the military An EHang 184 taxi...
Feb 23, 20173 min read
US Marines seek to destroy enemy drones – Jeff Schogol
US Marines fighting in the Middle East are using a variety of methods to counter the growing threat of cheap, commercial-off-the-shelf...
Feb 20, 20172 min read
Fighting in Megacities – Major John Spencer
It is widely accepted that military forces increasingly are going to have to fight in vast, dense urban areas. US Army Major John Spencer...
Feb 13, 20176 min read
Australian Defence needs an Office of Robotics – Alan Stephens
If, as the eminent strategist and military historian Edward Luttwak has argued, the people in our armed services define themselves...
Feb 7, 20174 min read
Dogfight: Start-ups take aim at errant drones – Jeremy Wagstaff & Swati Pandey
A boom in consumer drone sales has spawned a counter-industry of start-ups aiming to stop drones flying where they shouldn’t, by...
Jan 24, 20174 min read
Taking a step forward on drones – Tim Jones
Western defence forces need to do more to counter the emerging threat of COTS drones A COTS drone being tested by the US Army Cyber...
Jan 16, 20174 min read
Putting F-35B on the Canberra Class LHDs: The Debate Continues – Steve George
This year’s opening article revisits the F-35B debate sparked by Jenna Higgins’ post from December 2016. Steve George’s...
Jan 9, 201710 min read
“Ten Propositions Concerning Armed UAVs”: a review – Alan Stephens
Australia’s 2016 Defence White Paper detailed the government’s intention to acquire armed unmanned aircraft within the next decade. A...
Dec 19, 20163 min read
Is ‘A’ really better than ‘B’? – Jenna Higgins
‘Flexibility is the key to air power’ is one of the favourite clichés of the professional airman. In this post, Flight Lieutenant Jenna...
Dec 6, 20163 min read
bottom of page