Armed ForcesCategory

Russia’s Nuclear Weapons: Doctrine, Forces, and Modernization

  Russia’s nuclear forces consist of both long-range, strategic systems – including intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs), and heavy bombers – and shorter- and medium-range delivery systems. Russia is modernizing its nuclear forces, replacing Soviet-era systems with new missiles, submarines and aircraft while developing new types of delivery systems. Although Russia’s number… Continue Reading Russia’s Nuclear Weapons: Doctrine, Forces, and Modernization

Navy Irregular Warfare and Counterterrorism Operation

In the years following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, the Navy has carried out a variety of irregular warfare (IW) and counterterrorism (CT) activities. Among the most readily visible of these were operations carried out by Navy sailors serving ashore in the Middle East and Afghanistan, as well as the May 1-2, 2011,… Continue Reading Navy Irregular Warfare and Counterterrorism Operation

Navy Large Unmanned Surface and Undersea Vehicles

  The Navy wants to develop and procure three new types of unmanned vehicles (UVs) in FY2020 and beyond—Large Unmanned Surface Vehicles (LUSVs), Medium Unmanned Surface Vehicles (MUSVs), and Extra-Large Unmanned Undersea Vehicles (XLUUVs). The Navy is requesting $628.8 million in FY2020 research and development funding for these three UV programs and their enabling technologies.… Continue Reading Navy Large Unmanned Surface and Undersea Vehicles

Navy Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) Program

  The Aegis ballistic missile defense (BMD) program, which is carried out by the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) and the Navy, gives Navy Aegis cruisers and destroyers a capability for conducting BMD operations. Under the FY2020 budget submission, the number of BMD-capable Navy Aegis ships is projected to increase from 38 at the end of… Continue Reading Navy Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) Program

Army Optionally Manned Fighting Vehicle (OMFV) Program

  In June 2018, in part due to congressional concerns, the Army announced a new modernization strategy and designated the Next Generation Combat Vehicle (NGCV) as the program to replace the M-2 Bradley. In October 2018, Army leadership decided to redesignate the NGCV as the Optionally Manned Fighting Vehicle (OMFV) and to add additional vehicle… Continue Reading Army Optionally Manned Fighting Vehicle (OMFV) Program

The Competitive Advantage: Special Operations Forces in Large-Scale Combat Operations

Volume 8 of the Army University Large Scale Combat Operations series. The Competitive Advantage: Special Operations Forces in Large Scale Combat Operations presents twelve historical case studies of special operations forces from World War I through Operation Iraqi Freedom. This volume sheds light upon the emerging roles, missions, and unique capabilities that have forged a… Continue Reading The Competitive Advantage: Special Operations Forces in Large-Scale Combat Operations

Coast Guard Polar Security Cutter ﷿Polar Icebreaker Program: Background and Issues for Congress

The Coast Guard Polar Security Cutter (PSC) program is a program to acquire three new heavy polar icebreakers, to be followed years from now by the acquisition of up to three new medium polar icebreakers. On April 23, 2019, the Coast Guard-Navy Integrated Program Office for the PSC program awarded a $745.9 million fixed-price, incentive-firm… Continue Reading Coast Guard Polar Security Cutter ﷿Polar Icebreaker Program: Background and Issues for Congress

Launching the Workhorse: Vertical or Super-Short Takeoff Capabilities for the Next Theater Airlift Aircraft

This study is an assessment of whether the US Air Force should anticipate modernizing its core theater airlift fleet with aircraft designed for super-short takeoffs or landings under rough-field conditions (SSTOL-RF) or aircraft designs focused on vertical takeoffs or landings (VTOL) with secondary SSTOL-RF capabilities (V/SSTOL-RF).   Purchase this volume

Inside the Sea Dragon: The Generations Within the Current People’s Liberation Army Navy Officer Corps

The author uses Karl Mannheim’s social generation theory to analyze the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) and argue that the current generation of rising leaders differs markedly from that of the past. Due to historical events and policy decisions, such as the end of the Cultural Revolution, the one-child policy, an expansionist foreign policy,… Continue Reading Inside the Sea Dragon: The Generations Within the Current People’s Liberation Army Navy Officer Corps

China’s Other Army: The People’s Armed Police in an Era of Reform

China’s premier paramilitary force—the People’s Armed Police (PAP)—is undergoing its most profound restructuring since its establishment in 1982.Previously under dual civilian and military command, the PAP has been placed firmly under China’s military. As chairman of the Central Military Commission, Xi Jinping now has direct control over all of China’s primary instruments of coercive power.… Continue Reading China’s Other Army: The People’s Armed Police in an Era of Reform