article thumbnail

Why the Navy Needs Disruption Now (part 2 of 2)

Steve Blank

For targets over uncontested airspace (Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria, Somalia, Yemen, Libya, etc.) The problem is that First World countries have developed formidable surface-to-air missiles – the Russian Sā€“300 and S-400 and the Chinese HQ-9 – which have become extremely effective at shooting down aircraft.

Syria 120
article thumbnail

Technology, Innovation, and Great Power Competition ā€“ Class 3

Steve Blank

Joe Felter , Raj Shah and I designed the class to cover how technology will shape all the elements of national power (our influence and footprint on the world stage). This article first appeared in West Point’s Modern War Institute. . Slides 20-22. Today, their uranium enrichment has reached 60% enrichment (90% is weapons grade).