How well do Commanders know Aviator's understanding of National Power? Is there a knowledge gap? Does it matter?
Living and Thriving Under Ambiguity
Luke Houghton and Jennifer Loy
Griffith University
Navigating Challenges in Australia's Defence Strategy: Enhancing Deterrence Through Cultural IntelligenceShane IvimeyAustralian Defence ForceThis b
What Can the ADF Learn From Ukraine's Air Defences?Kurt SimmillAustralian Defence ForceWhen Russia invaded Ukraine in Febr
This time last year, in my first gig as a reservist, I had the pleasure of presenting to the 20th Australian International Aerospace Congress (AIAC20) on the topic of the MQ-4C Triton airworthiness program. Specifically, I spoke about how it had been structured in lieu of any formal recognition of the United States (US) Navy as a competent design organisation for Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS) or any formal airworthiness certification of the design basis for the Triton system itself.
The 'poor man's air force' is a term for employing commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) hobbyist drones or uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) to strategic level military effect, and that effect cannot be understated (Waters, 2018; Nadeau, 2022; Shift, 2023). The ability for terror organisations to coordinate multiple layers of effects, including using COTS drones, to destroy Command and Control (C2) nodes in Israel causes alarm. Couple this with the use of COTS drones for intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, strike and battle-damage assessment missions, and the threat posed by what are essentially toys is alarmingly real.
Abstract
For several decades, the relationship between Australia and India seemed limited to Commonwealth, cricket and curry.
Like all aspects of the ADF, the Air Force has the need to contribute and enable Australia’s larger national power strategies.
