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09/23/2025
I talked with Tom Webster of Textron Aviation Defense on July 15, 2025 about the legacy of combat pilot training and the reshaping of that approach to embrace the fifth generation and multi-domain combat pilots needed for the high-end fight. This article deals with the first part of our conversation which focused on the legacy approach and the demands that are driving the need for change. The second part focuses on the key building blocks…
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From Good Enough to Strategic Command: The Evolution of Military Pilot Training

09/23/2025I talked with Tom Webster of Textron Aviation Defense on July 15, 2025 about the legacy of combat pilot training and the reshaping of that approach to embrace… Read more »

Rethinking Military Training for the High-End Fight: From Kill Chains to Kill Webs

08/14/2025By Robbin Laird In 2021, my book entitled Training for the High-End Fight: The Strategic Shift of the 2020s was published. I am starting a series of article… Read more »

The Convergence of Strategic Vision and Operational Reality: From GBU-57 Development to Modern Air Supremacy

06/28/2025By Robbin Laird The recent operations Midnight Hammer and Rising Lion represent the culmination of decades of strategic airpower investment, demonstrating how prescient weapons development from the early… Read more »

Shaping a Way Ahead for Autonomous Defence Capabilities for the ADF

06/17/2025By Robbin Laird On June 5, 2025, I had a chance to talk with Air Vice-Marshal Nick Hogan, the Head of Air Force Capability within the RAAF about… Read more »

Australia and the Way Ahead with Autonomous Systems

06/15/2025During my visit to Australia in May-June 2025, I have focused significantly on the coming of autonomous systems and how to incorporate them effectively into the Australian Defence… Read more »

Reshaping Combined Arms Operations: Lessons Learned from Drone Warfare Operations

06/14/2025We have a growing experience with drone warfare and its impacts. The best way to understand their impact is how they have already re-shaped combined arms operations. Notably… Read more »

The Autonomous Revolution: How Australia Could Transform Defense Through Maritime Robotics

06/13/2025By Robbin Laird On May 28, 2025, Michael Shoebridge, Director of Strategic Analysis Australia, and I travelled to Melbourne, Australia to visit C2 Robotics which is described on… Read more »

Training for Modern Airpower Operations: How to Address the Challenges

06/09/2025By Robbin Laird On June 3, 2025, I had a chance to meet with Air Vice-Marshal Glen Braz, Air Commander Australia, to follow up on his participation in… Read more »

Australian Army’s Strategic Pivot: Adapting for the Indo-Pacific Century

06/03/2025By Robbin Laird I had the opportunity to meet with Lt. General Simon Stuart, Chief of the Australian Army in. his office on 19 May 2025. We discussed… Read more »