War Studies Primer

We invite you to try War Studies Primer – an introductory course on the study of war and military history. Its purpose is to provide an introduction to the study of war.

War Studies Primer is presented as a lecture curriculum at the university level. It is a free, non-credit, self-study course that consists of 28 topics and over 1,900 slides and is updated on a yearly basis.

Look at slides 2 and 3 in the War Studies Primer for its Table of Contents, and then choose a lecture to read and enjoy.

Drones and Starlink: Combining Satellite Constellations With Unmanned Navy Ships

CIMSEC – It is these two emerging technologies, maritime drone vessels and large satellite communication constellations, that could allow for the Navy to solve some of its ongoing issues and permit the creation of a more nimble, lean, and modern force able to better confront the rising security threats facing the United States in the years and decades to come.

Gulf Sky: ‘Our ship was hijacked and taken to Iran’

BBC – In July 2020, the oil tanker Gulf Sky vanished from waters off the United Arab Emirates, along with its crew. Days later it turned up in Iran where it’s now suspected to be working as a “ghost ship” – helping the regime ferry oil in breach of sanctions. For the first time, eight former crew have spoken to the BBC about the ship’s disappearance, saying they were hijacked by a group of armed men. All but the captain have asked not to be named, out of fear for their safety and livelihoods.

DARPA Hopes A Plane-Boat Hybrid Can Solve The Pentagon’s Sealift Challenge

Breaking Defense – The Pentagon’s premiere research agency published a request for information earlier this month eyeing a new class of aircraft capable of utilizing the “wing-in-ground” effect. But analysts tell Breaking Defense the military’s request, on a relatively short turnaround time, will be a difficult for the industrial base to oblige — and worry that the system might not be viable for more than short trips.

The HMS Defender Incident: Lawfare, Optics, and a Changing European Strategic Direction

CIMSEC – Despite its limited immediate impact, the significance of this FONOP cannot be overstated. Since the end of the Cold War, very few European nations have taken initiatives to upend their strategic interests in the face of powerful adversaries and have instead been relying on the American security umbrella. A multitude of factors are at play to influence this return to geopolitics in Europe, from the specter of Trump’s alienating policies towards America’s allies and partners, to the advent of a multipolar world. Yet this FONOP and renewed European interest in the Indo-Pacific shows that even a strategically independent Europe will remain a natural partner to America for military cooperation and burden-sharing, not just due to shared economic interests, but also common values.

Turkish shipyard sails into unveiling 1st unmanned anti-submarine warfare boat

Daily Sabah – The Turkish Ares Shipyard, which has developed the country’s first armored unmanned surface vessel (AUSV), in cooperation with Ankara-based Meteksan Defense Industry Inc., has now rolled up its sleeves to produce an unmanned anti-submarine warfare (ASW) vehicle, again marking a breakthrough for the local defense industry.

(Thanks to Alain)

Turkish independence in naval systems: two new torpedoes from Roketsan

European Defense Review – Attack systems are definitely among those that might be most easily submitted to embargo, hence the decision to develop national torpedo solutions to arm submarines and surface ships. The first development started long time ago at Roketsan, the initial decision to develop the Akya 533 mm heavyweight torpedo dating back to 2009. The Akya will enter the Turkish Navy inventory during the current year, qualification is ongoing, while the company has already started the series production phase in order to have the system operational by 2022.

(Thanks to Alain)