Military Complexity: Lasers or Longbows?

February 2, 2017 by kris de decker Filed Under: Weapons

As military capabilties have evolved, so too have their complexity. Indeed, they are in a symbiotic relationship in that advanced military capabilities are both a product of and dependent on a complex network of resources, products, services and organisations.

A comparison of the manufacturing requirements for the traditional aboriginal spear and the F88 Austeyr assault rifle provides an example of how complexity has increased.

Arguably, there is an exponential increase in complexity because the manufacture of modern military equipment is dependent on a number of other industries, such as finance, telecommunications, information technology and energy.

The networks that support military capabilities are a subset of the broader global economy, implying that advanced military capabilities cannot exist without the underlying economic base to support it. [Read more…]

The Slingshot Channel

February 1, 2017 by kris de decker Filed Under: Weapons

The Slingshot Channel is a dedicated YouTube channel that covers rubber powered launchers in each and every detail.

Thanks to Edwin Gardner.

Medieval Warfare in Egypt

February 3, 2011 by kris de decker Filed Under: Catapults, Low-tech solutions, Military technology, War, War technology, Warfare, Weapons

medieval warfare in egypt

The catapult seems to be en vogue these days. Following the drug catapult confiscated at the US-Mexican border ten days ago, here is a device used by the anti-government protesters at the Tahrir square in Egypt. Source: Al Jazeera. Via Liz McLellan.

Drug Catapult Found at US-Mexico Border

January 31, 2011 by kris de decker Filed Under: Aviation, Cargo, Catapults, Low-tech solutions, Military technology, War technology, Weapons

Trebuchet “Drug smugglers trying to get marijuana across the Arizona-Mexico border apparently are trying a new approach – a catapult. National Guard troops operating a remote video surveillance system at the Naco Border Patrol Station say they observed several people preparing a catapult and launching packages over the International Border fence last Friday evening.” Read & watch.

Lasers or Longbows? A Paradox of Military Technology

October 24, 2010 by kris de decker Filed Under: Military technology, War technology, Warfare, Weapons

A comparison of military complexity “The paradox of military technology states that while increased complexity in a military force results in increased capability, it also increases the likelihood that the capability will be unavailable for use because of the collapse of the complex supply chain required to maintain the capability. The implication is that complex military technologies might not be the best acquisition strategy for defence forces in the future.”

“Lasers or longbows? A paradox of military technology“, The Australian Defence Force Journal (PDF 6.4 MB, from page 44). Via “The abandonment of technology“, The Oil Drum.

Mad Max Wars

March 23, 2010 by kris de decker Filed Under: Military technology, War technology, Warfare, Weapons

The embrace of a low-tech approach by Taliban-trained bombmakers – they are building improvised explosive devices out of fertilizer and diesel fuel – has stymied a $17 billion U.S. counteroffensive against the devices in Iraq and Afghanistan, military officials say. Electronic scanners or jammers, which were commonly deployed in Iraq, can detect only bombs with metal parts or circuitry. Read.