… (T)his budget represents an opportunity; one of those rare chances to match virtue to necessity, to critically and ruthlessly separate appetites from real requirements, those things that are desirable in a perfect world from those things that are truly needed in light of the threats America faces and the missions we are likely to…
Those dinosaurs amongst us remember them from another age – the ghostly lines that arced out from the geopolitical heartland of the Soviet Union. Head east from Norfolk or west from Pearl or San Diego and you’d trip the first one, established by the orbiting EORSAT and RORSATs, pricking interest in command centers back in…
Been a very busy week here in these last few days in the run-up to the Inauguration — new folks arriving, some departing, new Congressional session and attendant questions – lots of questions, lots of briefs and also burning the midnight oil on the book project, so posting has been a bit light of late.  …
*But were afraid to ask Available now via the Newport Papers online – print version still TBD. Be forewarned, this is a huge document (34M worth) and will take a while to download. This is an outstanding work by Dr. Hattendorf and Peter Swartz and has been long in the birthing process. It is the…
It began in 2001. Crude, homemade and unguided. Indiscriminate as to objective or target – not meant to do anything but inspire terror. It has a name – صاروخ القسام‎ á¹¢ÄrÅ«kh al-QassÄm; Comprised of a  simple steel rocket filled with explosives, powered by a homebrew mixture of sugar and potassium nitrate (fertilizer) with warheads made…
As we’ve previously noted, the new Naval Operating Concept, derived from the Maritime Strategy released over a year ago, was slated to be released sometime this month (October). Now it seems that release is delayed – no surprise given the coordination still being carried on within the Navy, much less that required between the Navy,…
This little notice arrived in the mail yesterday: New Navy Operations Concept Will Include Force Structure Details NOC Due By October (INSIDE THE NAVY 22 SEP 08) … Zachary M. Peterson The 2008 Navy Operations Concept, known as the NOC, will include force structure details not included in the tri-service maritime strategy released last year…
Since the program began, Aegis BMD has been concentrated on the West Coast and with the FDNF. Now, however, two more ships – this time on the East Coast, have undergone the modifications and one, the USS RAMAGE (DDG 61) has begun a deployment with the SM-3 Blk1a missile onboard (full article here): “She is loaded,”…
Deterrence. Preventing war is preferable to fighting wars. Deterring aggression must be viewed in global, regional, and transnational terms via conventional, unconventional, and nuclear means. Effective Theater Security Cooperation activities are a form of extended deterrence, creating security and removing conditions for conflict. Maritime ballistic missile defense will enhance deterrence by providing an umbrella of…
Ballistic missile defense from the sea – over the last six months the concept has moved further from test and development to operational reality. Demonstrated capabilities are expanding the envelope and being delivered to certain designated ships within the fleet. The question is – in describing these recent advances in ballistic missile defense, including the…
