William D. Newberry’s Post

Important article about the future of war and the evolution of the National Training Center by MG Taylor.

Great article breaking down the 4 LOEs at NTC. The quote, "We cannot stop the enemy from detecting us, but we can stop him from understanding us," did stick out to me. Throughout any significant conflict, information about the movements of forces or their location always existed either in a human or information network. It was a matter of how long that information traveled to the right decision maker or individual to make sense of it, then understand what that information meant to that force, and make a decision off that information and move their forces to gain an advantage or prevent the other force from surprising them. The distance between when information is collected, analyzed, and acted on is an area we can always take advantage of in the current and future operational environments. Even with the integration of AI, it is still a matter of an adversary understanding intent. If they cannot understand our purpose, we can maintain a position of relative advantage. We must recognize the importance of the human domain and narrative space in the current and future OE. https://lnkd.in/gk34yFGY

The US National Training Center (NTC) is racing to update collective training to reflect ‘lessons learned’ on the battlefield in Ukraine. This insightful article from Curt Taylor of the Modern War Institute at West Point highlights the scale and pace of change needed for the NTC to achieve it’s goal of ensuring US forces “win the first battle of the next war.” The 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, fighting as the opposing force (OPFOR) at NTC, is adopting a range of new tactics and capabilities to more accurately reflect current and evolving threats. These are designed to better prepare US forces visiting the NTC for the realities recently experienced by Ukrainian forces. For example, the OPFOR has recently been fielded with over one hundred TS-M800 quadcopter drones. The amount of attention, effort and resources invested in continuously devising and implementing changes in OPFOR capability for these kinds of conventional collective exercises is impressive. I suspect the costs and practical constraints of doing this will increasingly be a factor that drives rapid adoption of Synthetic Collective Training Environments, either operating entirely virtually, or in a hybrid mode combining a mixture of real and simulated battlespace elements. Digital synthetic environments offer speed of implementation, safety, flexibility and economy, creating scope for accelerating the process of doctrine development through agile wargaming. Furthermore the same approaches can be used to scaffold the learning process when trialling new approaches before these are actually applied in conventional field-based collective exercise serials. #defensetraining #defencetechnology #defenceinnovation #defence #simulation #training

Retired US Army Gen. Mark Milley predicts that by 2039, a third of the US military could be robotic, thanks to extensive investments in unmanned systems. Speaking at an event on defense technology, Milley highlighted the transformative potential of AI-enabled systems in warfare, enabling faster and smarter decisions. He also noted the possibility of reduced troop sizes due to advanced robotics. The US military's investments include human-machine integration in the Army, collaborative combat aircraft in the Air Force, and a hybrid fleet in the Navy. Milley emphasized that optimizing these technologies will provide a significant advantage in armed conflict, especially against rivals like China. Read more: https://lnkd.in/eCKVRAux

The U.S. Navy is at the forefront of military innovation, deploying AI-powered underwater drones to enhance threat detection. With plans to expand this technology for identifying enemy vessels, this move marks a significant advancement in defense strategies. #MilitaryTech #AI #Innovation #Defense

Equipped with RADA’s Multi-Mission Radars, the M-SHORAD vehicle was deployed for the first time in active defense missions in #Slovakia. #usarmy #airdefense #mshorad #radarsystems #detection

My new monograph for the Foreign Military Studies Office, US Army TRADOC: People's Liberation Army's Evolving Close Air Support Capabilities. It examines the PLA's version of close air support, command and control, coordination, and support to ground combat. The paper examines Army Aviation and UAV/UCAV support to ground forces. Also analyzed are future trends and possible incorporation of intelligent technologies. The monograph can be found at https://lnkd.in/eKnVr6v7

The U.S. Marine Corps has begun flying its stealthy Kratos' XQ-58A Valkyrie drones, making it the second known operator of the type beyond the U.S. Air Force. The Marines now plan to evaluate the drones as highly autonomous surveillance and reconnaissance assets, electronic warfare platforms, and wingmen for crewed fighters, including in kinetic roles. Whether or not the Marines ultimately pursue the XQ-58, or a variant or derivative thereof, as an operational platform remains to be seen. However, its design specifically does have attributes that would be incredibly attractive for the service, especially its runway independence and its readily deployable nature. Meanwhile, the U.S. Army's M1 Abrams tanks will "not be effective" on the battlefields of the 2040s, especially in the context of a potential high-end conflict against China. The type’s relevance will begin to erode far before that date, as well. This is the conclusion of an official advisory body that is also calling for an Abrams replacement effort that could include a next-generation M1 derivative, as well as lighter 'tanks' armed with larger caliber guns and hypersonic anti-tank missiles, and uncrewed ground vehicles.

The U.S. Army has a complicated history with light tanks, and its latest effort, the M-10 Booker, is entering service at a critical juncture where traditional armored warfare tactics may no longer be effective. The M-10, a 46-ton vehicle equipped with a 105-millimeter gun, is designed to support light infantry by providing firepower and situational awareness, but it lacks the heavy firepower and protection of a true tank like the M-1 Abrams. However, the ongoing war in Ukraine has demonstrated that traditional concepts of armored breakthroughs are becoming obsolete. Inexpensive, ubiquitous drones can easily target and destroy massed forces, making deep maneuvers increasingly risky. The current warfare environment prioritizes attritional battles and indirect firepower, reducing the relevance of vehicles like the M-10. For the M-10 to be effective, the U.S. Army will need to integrate strong air-defense and counter-drone capabilities alongside it. Without such protections, the M-10 and the light infantry it supports could be vulnerable to drone attacks, potentially rendering the costly new vehicle irrelevant in modern warfare. **David Axe, The Telegraph** If you enjoyed this article summary please send me a connection request. John Keith King

Avanti! Italian Armed Forces Roadmap For Massive Modernization Could your company respond to the multiple opportunities ahead?   As Italy launches its new defense roadmap, the defense procurement budget will increase by 43 percent by 2025, and it will address the procurement of new equipment (partial list): - Loitering ammunition - High-end maritime and coastal defense technologies: radars, vessels, and armament. - Command and Control and C4I systems. - New communication technologies. - Electronic Warfare. - Simulation technologies for various end-users. - Various types of ground mobility platforms. - Special Forces Equipment, including armament, optics, night vision, tactical vehicles, and underwater operation technologies.     Recommendations: - Partnerships are crucial to succeed in the Italian market. While having a local agent is an excellent option, explore strategic partnerships and joint ventures with the infamous Italian defense industries. - Strategy: Invest sales efforts in the Italian Armed Forces' multiple segments as different branches aim to procure similar equipment. Selling to the local law enforcement market can help with market entry and domestic brand awareness that will echo across the market. - Look at the long-term: The current modernization plan lays the foundation for the future procurement of complementary technologies; planting the seed of sales now will assist your company in increasing sales in the future. #italy #defenseindustry #specialforces #army #navy #airforce