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The Land Power Forum blog is published by the Australian Army Research Centre in order to generate discussion and debate about the future of Army.

It is a forum for informed analysis, commentary, thoughts and ideas. Contributions are welcomed from stakeholders, subject matter experts and those interested in future land warfare.

Articles
Australian Army Brigadier Kahlil Fegan, DSC, (centre left) at the Army Robotics Expo and Quantum Technology Challenge at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre.
A preview of Quantum Technology Challenge 2022
Quantum TechnologyEmerging TechnologiesRICO

A big thank you to all the teams and exhibitors involved in the successful conduct of Army’s Quantum Technology Challenge 2022 held in Adelaide earlier this month. Stand by for an in-depth announcement and review of the challenge on the Army Land Power forum soon.

Promo image for book, Like a Brazen Wall
Book Review - Like A Brazen Wall
Book reviewLandpower lessonsMilitary history

BRIG Chris Roberts AM, CSC (Retd.) finds that Carmichael's book on the Battle of Minden provides a wealth of information about the campaign, including the culminating battle, and sheds useful light on this aspect of the Seven Years War as it affected Great Britain.

Australian Army soldier Private Jyren Doria from the 3rd Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment, patrols during Exercise Kapyong Warrior at Townsville Field Training Area, Queensland.
The Division
Force DesignFuture ReadyArmy in Motion

Duncan Foster discusses the ADF’s increasingly complex contemporary battlespace, emphasis on state versus state competition and potential conflict. Highlighting that now is the time to rethink Army’s structure; to best prepare it for the future.

Australian Army soldiers from the 3rd Battalion The Royal Australian Regiment prepare for a dawn raid on a suspected insurgent position at the Tully Training Area on July 17 during Exercise Hamel 2014.
The Requirements of Training Insurgent Tactics
Land combatgrey zoneIrregular WarfareTransforming Land Power

For the ADF to deter and disrupt an invasion and occupation of Australia, it is necessary to arm and train our force to conduct asymmetric warfare against an occupying enemy. Ian Richards explores why.

Swirling sparks in background with Occasional Paper 11 cover on right side of image
Swarming and Counterswarming
Emerging TechnologiesAccelerated WarfareModernisation

With the advancement of technology and the accelerated rate of disruptive engagements, militaries are exploring swarm-related capabilities across several
lines of effort, spanning from concepts to research and physical trials. In response, this AARC Occasional Paper outlines the current state of swarm and counter-swarm research and technologies through a high-level review of academic, industry and coalition partner efforts.

Marines, assigned to the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) and embarked aboard the amphibious transport dock USS Green Bay (LPD 20), navigate a formation of combat rubber raiding crafts toward Crowley Beach during an amphibious raid rehearsal as a part of Talisman Saber 17..
Where the Shore Meets the Sea
Land combatOur RegionJoint warfareTransforming Land Power

Based on the expectation that the future of land power will be in the littoral environment, Dr John Nash considers the transformation demanded of Army as it integrates in the joint environment as part of a whole-of-ADF maritime strategic capability.

An Australian Army rifleman from Alpha Company of 8th/9th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment, fires an F88 Austeyr rifle into an "enemy" window during Exercise Ram Horn at Wide Bay Training Area, Queensland.
Meeting the Challenge of Protracted Battle
Land combatgrey zoneIrregular WarfareTransforming Land Power

This Post by Sam Baumgarten opens by describing the concept of protracted battle in the context of supporting military theory. It then makes the case for why the Army must continue efforts to enhance its ability to achieve decisive battle outcomes against semi-irregular opponents.

Mobile devices on grass; Image credit: Pixabay user - Goumbik (userid 3752483)
Intellectual Transformation: Professionalisation of the Other Ranks
Cognitive edgeLeadershipFuture ReadyTransforming Land Power

Reflecting on observations made by Richard Barrett in 'The Profession of Arms needs a CPD Program' John Wellfare makes a strong bid to resolve a challenge faced by many leaders throughout the organisation – how to achieve professionalisation of the ADF at the other ranks (OR) level.

Army Reserve soldiers from 13th Brigade on patrol in search of suspects of interest during a simulated scenario as part of 13th Brigade stability operations training at HMAS Stirling in Western Australia.
Domestic Security Force to Transform Army Land Power
Land combatForce DesignArmy & SocietyTransforming Land Power

John Brennan outlines the importance of enhancing Army's capability and flexibility to draw on the part-time force to meet Australia's security requirements in peace and war. Using overseas examples, he proposes a force design model to effect such an outcome.

3D Printed Drone from Markforged. Image credit: https://markforged.com
Adopting Additive Manufacturing and its Impact on Land Power
Land combatAdditive ManufacturingIndustryTransforming Land Power

K identifies the opportunity that exists for Army to transform land power through the innovative use of additive manufacturing to generate a more resilient supply chain, particularly in the field.

Australian Army soldier from the School of Armour, remotely controls an autonomous M113 AS4 optionally crewed combat vehicle (OCCV) at the Majura Training Area, Canberra..
From Tanks to Robots
Land combatRobotics & Autonomous SystemsEmerging TechnologiesTransforming Land Power

Robotic and autonomous systems represent the potential future of land warfare. Opening with this assertion, William Hill looks to history to see how technology has transformed the nature of warfare and analysing the implications for land combat capabilities.

Burning debris in the middle of a street; Image by Fajrul Falah from Pixabay
Ukrainian Resistance
Irregular WarfareHybrid WarfareLandpower lessons

Andy Maher explores the strategy of resistance, Ukraine’s employment of this strategy, and the issues that emerge as lessons for national security professionals.

Australian Army soldiers work in the command post during the field phase of the Operator Administrative Basic Course at the Army School of Ordnance conducted at Bandiana, Victoria.
Transforming Land Power – One Story at a Time
Land combatPeople, Culture and EthicsArmy & SocietyTransforming Land Power

The future of the Australian Army is inextricably linked to the society that it serves. In its efforts to transform land power, Annie North challenges Army to invest in storytelling to build the trust-based personal relationships needed to sustain and grow the force.

Promo image for book The Rag Tag Fleet by Ian W Shaw
Book Review - The Rag Tag Fleet
Book reviewLandpower lessonsMilitary history

Dr Al Palazzo introduces a book that will be welcomed by anyone with an interest in Australia and Second World War in the Pacific. While not claiming to be a work of great academic history, the book is commended as a great historical story about the eclectic mix of Australian mariners who supported Allied operations in New Guinea in 1942.

Australian Army Brigadier Martin White (left) at the Army Robotics Expo and Quantum Technology Challenge at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre.
Outcomes of ‘Short Thoughts Competition’ – Transforming Land Power
ModernisationArmy & SocietyArmy in MotionTransforming Land Power

Entries in the the 2022 AARC Short Thoughts Competition, ‘Transforming Land Power’ have now been judged. Authors spanned a range of ranks and backgrounds proving that good ideas are not the monopoly of a particular area, group or rank band. This Post lists the winners and commended entries. Winners will be awarded a trip to the Chief of Army Symposium 2022 and a book voucher. All entries are in the process of being posted on the Land Power Forum.

A Shadow Unmanned Aerial System from the 20th Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery, is launched at Townsville Field Training Area, Queensland.
Transforming Land Power from the Air
Land combatAccelerated WarfareEmerging TechnologiesTransforming Land Power

James Eling makes the case for Australia to develop a sovereign manufacturing capability for Unmanned Combat Aerial Systems (UCAS) – drones able to deliver kinetic effects to provide a scalable, effective and agile capability for our soldiers.

Cover of Spotlight Brief 2/22 1200x675
Spotlight Brief 2/22
Major power competitionUrban conflictLandpower lessons

This Spotlight Brief is the second in a series of focus pieces on the Russo-Ukrainian War. It describes the events of the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, part of the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian War. This analysis is in three parts: first, it examines the broad composition of the Russian and Ukrainian Armed Forces; second, it discusses the first phase of the invasion from February-April outlining the major operational level actions; and third, it discusses the invasion’s second phase covering the April-June period.

Corporal Laura Wakeling's recruitment journey left an impression, with Laura opting to join the Defence Force Recruiting Centre Toowoomba as a careers coach, helping others find their own fulfilling career in the Australian Defence Force..
Recruitment for the Future
Land combatPeople, Culture and EthicsArmy & SocietyTransforming Land Power

In this Post, Tingting Luo explores the issue of land power transformation through the lens of concurrency pressures, the challenges posed by a competitive employment market, and the enduring need for Army to foster a sense of Service.

High Mobility Rocket Artillery Systems of the United States Army and United States Marine Corps launch rockets during a firepower demonstration held at Shoalwater Bay Training Area in Queensland, during Talisman Sabre 2021.
Thinking Deep: The need for a Deep Battle Concept for the Australian Army
Land combatAccelerated WarfareEmerging Threats and OpportunitiesTransforming Land Power

As the Australian Army contemplates the transformation of land power, it needs to focus on developing a deep battle concept. Jason Kirkham explains why.

Acting Head of Land Capability, BRIG Langford, speaking at ADM Congress 2022
Australia’s Army: A Future Ready Land Force
Land combatAccelerated WarfareEmerging Technologies

Acting Head of Land Capability, BRIG Ian Langford, presents his views on combat operations in the contemporary high threat environment to this year's ADM Congress, Canberra 22 June 2022.

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