Category Archives: David Axe

What Happened to the Pentagon’s Formation-Flying Satellite?

Posted on May 19, 2013

by DAVID AXE The U.S. military has cancelled a seven-year, $200-million effort to develop a new kind of satellite — one comprising groups of small, formation-flying craft orbiting in tight-knit formations and sharing data wirelessly. The Future, Fast, Flexible, Fractionated … Continue reading →

Posted in David Axe, English only | 1 Comment

Navy Drone Touches Down On Carrier Deck for First Time

Posted on May 18, 2013

by DAVID AXE The U.S. Navy’s X-47B jet-powered drone prototype touched down on the deck of the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush for the first time on Friday — continuing an historic series of accomplishments begun on May 14, … Continue reading →

Posted in David Axe, I robot, X-Planes | 2 Comments

Behind the Navy’s Carrier-Launched Killer Drone

Posted on May 14, 2013

by DAVID AXE Sometime today the U.S. Navy will launch a modern, jet-powered, armed drone from the first time from an aircraft carrier, the USS George H.W. Bush. The X-47B Unmanned Aerial Vehicle, built by Northrop Grumman, is a possible … Continue reading →

Posted in David Axe, English only, I robot, X-Planes | 3 Comments

By the Numbers: Independent Afghan Security Forces

Posted on May 7, 2013

by DAVID AXE It’s conventional wisdom in U.S. military policy circles that Afghanistan’s security forces, specifically its national army and police, have become hopelessly dependent on the U.S.-led coalition for training, logistical and air support and battlefield leadership. But the … Continue reading →

Posted in Afghanistan, Armee, Autoren, David Axe, English only, Staaten und Regionen | 1 Comment

Americans, Afghans and Battlefield Agility

Posted on May 7, 2013

by DAVID AXE April 23, Zari district, southern Afghanistan. The U.S. Army’s 1st Platoon, Bravo Company, 3-41 Infantry — part of the Texas-based 1st Brigade of the 1st Armored Division — is setting up a patrol base for a two-day … Continue reading →

Posted in Afghanistan, David Axe, English only | 4 Comments

Jet Fighter Influence: How Lockheed’s Public Relations Efforts Keep the F-35 Sold

Posted on March 6, 2013

by DAVID AXE Sometime in the spring of 2012 Al Bunting received a message imploring him to publicly endorse America’s warplane of the future. Bunting, a retired senior Air Force officer and administrator for the tiny New Jersey coastal town … Continue reading →

Posted in David Axe, English only | 14 Comments

Automatic Budget Cuts Threaten U.S. Navy Readiness

Posted on February 21, 2013

by DAVID AXE Automatic federal budget cuts set in motion last year by the U.S. Congress could have a “debilitating” effect on the Navy’s readiness for the next two years. In fact, the impact is already being felt — and … Continue reading →

Posted in David Axe, English only | 2 Comments

Lessons of the Mali War

Posted on February 15, 2013

by DAVID AXE Despite a flurry of attacks pointing to the possibility of drawn-out insurgent fighting in Mali, the French government is still planning on withdrawing its roughly 2,500 troops in the West African country starting in March, potentially bringing … Continue reading →

Posted in David Axe, English only, Mali | 5 Comments

Operation Serval Timeline

Posted on February 10, 2013

by DAVID AXE On Friday, Jan. 11, Islamic militants occupying northern Mali in West Africa advanced on a key town separating the government-controlled south from the northern part of the country, held by rebels since Spring 2012. France, Mali’s former … Continue reading →

Posted in David Axe, English only, Mali | 10 Comments

Satellites Observe Mali War

Posted on January 20, 2013

by DAVID AXE Commercial satellite operator GeoEye sends along these images of the week-old, French-led intervention in Islamist-controlled northern Mali:

Posted in David Axe, English only, Mali | Leave a comment