December 14, 2024 | International, Land
Army, Navy conduct key hypersonic missile test
The successful tests brings both services closer to fielding the long-awaited system.
December 2, 2019 | International, Aerospace, Naval, Land, C4ISR, Security
Coming off a troubled year
By: Jill Aitoro
The strategy for reading tea leaves of the year to come is naturally anchored in the lasting events of the year just passed.
So then let us consider 2019. The year was, in many respects, one of messiness. The already tense relationship between Turkey and NATO allies got worse, leading to the decision by the U.S. to kick the country out of the F-35 program. High-profile program struggles plagued some of the largest defense companies in the world. Political turmoil led to leadership shakeups both in the U.S. and across the pond. Instability in the industrial base made advancements in technology by adversaries all the more troubling.
But there were also some signs of progress. Modern warfare capabilities — from hypersonics to artificial intelligence — transitioned from a footnote for only some to the everyday vernacular of most. More experimentation emerged in techiques for system development and acquisition. And around the world, countries from various regions grew more earnest in their desires to expand their influence and investment in global defense.
What can we predict, then, based upon this, for 2020? Global relations will continue to shift, no longer defined by existing alliances but rather by individual behavior and more self-serving demands. Elections stand to turn the current state of political affairs on its ear, whether it be for better or for worse. And competition will grow more fierce, driven by a shrinking industrial base and the fact that defense companies will need to look beyond the U.S. to find the most sought-after programs with the biggest potential payout.
Obviously, there is a lot we don't know. Will NATO flounder or regain its footing? Will election results drive allies closer together or farther apart? Will defense budgets go up or down? And will the increasing use of hybrid tactics reshape both the forces of today and the systems of tomorrow?
We asked leaders from around the world to provide their perspective. See what's on their minds here in Outlook 2020.
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January 10, 2023 | International, Aerospace
Air Force, Space Force pursue AI readiness by 2025
To get after AI readiness, the Department of the Air Force must continue investments in training and infrastructure, says the outgoing AI and data chief.
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July 20, 2021 | International, Land
La France et le Royaume-Uni choisissent MBDA pour un partenariat d'innovation sur les armes complexes
DÉFENSE La France et le Royaume-Uni choisissent MBDA pour un partenariat d'innovation sur les armes complexes MBDA a été choisi par la Direction générale de l'armement (DGA) et le Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) du Royaume-Uni pour diriger le nouveau partenariat d'innovation technologique sur les armes complexes (CW ITP). Ce contrat de quatre ans s'inscrit dans le prolongement des travaux du Partenariat pour l'innovation technologique dans le domaine des matériaux et composants de missiles (MCM ITP). Le CW ITP se concentrera sur cinq domaines techniques durables : matériaux, structures et électronique ; systèmes de mission et algorithmes ; autodirecteurs ; propulsion et létalité. MBDA dirigera un groupe d'entreprises françaises et britanniques afin de collaborer dans le cadre de « défis dynamiques » qui porteront sur des technologies ayant des applications communes et sur de nouveaux domaines technologiques potentiels. MBDA travaille déjà actuellement avec le Dstl sur le démonstrateur technologique des armes de frappe coopératives, afin de développer de nouveaux systèmes de missiles innovants d'ici 2023. Shephard Media du 20 juillet