RUSI Defence Systems

RUSI Defence Systems is produced three times a year and examines strategic, conceptual and acquisition issues faced by the global defence community. It is read in over a hundred countries and regularly features contributions from prominent and distinguished defence chiefs, scientists and industrialists from across the globe.

Issue: Jun 2010, Vol. 13, No. 1

Editorial The outgoing editor of RUSI Defence Systems writes his valedictory editorial.
Bill Kincaid

Acquisition in a Period of Severe Financial Restraint The RUSI Acquisition Focus identifies some major issues that will have to be resolved within defence equipment acquisition, including reform at the top of the MoD, management of complexity, MoD’s relationship with industry and improving the early stages of acquisition.
The RUSI Acquisition Focus

Shaping the Future Defence Programme Sir Jeremy Blackham states that we must find a new approach to the upcoming Defence Review to ensure that a long-term perspective is maintained.
Sir Jeremy Blackham

Rethinking an Indigenous Capability Air Chief Marshal Sir Brian Burridge comments on the importance rethinking the UK’s indigenous defence industrial capability.
Air Chief Marshal Sir Brian Burridge

More Tooth, Less Tail John Dowdy argues that the equipment procurement budget should be maintained
John Dowdy

The Sea in a Variably Globalised World Rear Admiral (ret’d) Chris Parry discusses the need to understand challenges to maritime operations in the future
Rear Admiral (ret’d) Chris Parry

The Problem with Defence Technology Graham Jordan discusses how and why current acquisition projects result in cost and time overruns
Graham Jordan

After The Defence Review: An Operating Model for Integrated Acquisition Major General (ret’d) David Shouesmith and Dean Gilmore discuss the improvement of the current acquisition model
Major General (ret’d) David Shouesmith and Dean Gilmore

Is Reform Enough? Assessing the Gap Between Challenges and Response in Defence Acquisition Reform Dr Ted Bromund considers how far acquisition reform can be effective, and whether a more radical change is required
Dr Ted R. Bromund

The Cost of Delay Professor David Kirkpatrick discusses the costs arising from delays in procurement procedures
Professor David Kirkpatrick

A Somewhat Strange Outcome Sir Jeremy Blackham examines the flaws in UK acquisition policy
Sir Jeremy Blackham

Debate: Is Digitisation Dead? Dr Jim Storr responds to the debates sparked by his October paper, saying that those who do not learn the lessons of history are doomed to repeat them.
Dr Jim Storr

Lessons from the Procurement of Armoured Fighting Vehicles Peter Flach sets out the reasons that MoD has spent almost £1bn without a single vehicle to show for it
Peter Flach

Lack of Clarity, Urgency and Resources Sir Robert Hayman-Joyce explores the reasons behind the failures of several procurement programmes
Sir Robert Hayman-Joyce

Should all the Blame be Laid at MoD’s Door? Colonel Neil Polley considers the areas in which the MoD has improved its performance in armoured vehicle procurement
Colonel Neil Polley

If It Looks Stupid, It Probably Is Brigadier (retired) Charles McBean suggests ways to ensure the mistakes of the past are not repeated
Brigadier (retired) Charles McBean

Just Part of a Flawed Culture Paul Beaver points to flawed processes as the cause of the UK's armoured vehicle procurement failures
Paul Beaver

Stealth, Sensor Fusion, Situational Understanding and Precision Attack: Is This the Right Answer to the Balance of Force? Wing Commander Willy Hackett and Dr Rebecca Grant discuss the Joint Strike Fighter and its place in UK defence
Wing Commander Willy Hackett and Dr Rebecca Grant

Air Power and Technology: A Tentative Approach to the Year 2025 and Beyond Colonel Basilio Di Martino considers trends and capabilities significant for the future of air power
Colonel Basilio Di Martino

UCAVs: A New Kind of Air Power? Dr Norman Friedman makes the case for the unmanned combat air vehicle (UCAV) and says that they will cost far less than manned aircraft.
Dr Norman Friedman

Unmanned Aerial Systems: a Challenge to European Industry? Keith Hayward examines the European approach to unmanned aerial vehicles
Professor Keith Hayward

Commercialising Robotic and Unmanned Systems Dewar Donnithorne-Tait discusses what must be done to allow robotics systems to work alongside those that are manned
Dewar Donnithorne-Tait

Alternative Energy Information Systems Worshop

Development of UAV Sensors and Information Management Steve Roberts considers sensors, sensor integration and information management with unmanned vehicles
Steve Roberts

The Robotic Boat Keith Henderson discusses the benefits of unmanned maritime and surface vehicles
Keith Henderson

Network Enabled Capability: A UK Perspective Iain Standen discusses the future of the UK concept of network-enabled capability (NEC)
Colonel Iain Standen

NCO in Germany: Still a Long Way to Go Ina Wiesner discusses network-centric operations in Germany
Ina Wiesner

The Australian Army: Small but Adaptable Dr Andrew Davies considers the capabilities of the Australian Army and how it hsould approach its next Defence White Paper
Dr Andrew Davies

Progressing Team Complex Weapons Steve Wadey reports on the progress made through Team Complex Weapons since 2005
Steve Wadey

Risk Management in Defence Procurement Chris Maughan looks at the latest evidence on how risk is being managed in defence procurement and states what still needs to be done.
Chris Maughan

Organisational Culture And Defence Acquisition: A Key Internal Factor For MoD Dr Charles Kirke discusses the effect of Minsitry of Defence sub-cultures on approaching system change
Dr Charles Kirke

Electric Vehicles: Challenges and Solutions Catherine Hutt discusses the advantage of electric drive for vehicles
Catherine Hutt

The Electric Warship: Using Energy More Efficiently Professor Chris Hodge examines the benefits of electric drive for ships
Professor Chris Hodge

Solar Panels - Alternative Energy Department

Alternative Energy Solutions for the US Army Tony Bui explains how the US army are using alternative energy sources
Tony Bui

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