In writing the two articles below detailing differences in operational and developmental approach taken by the US and UK militaries, I only briefly examined some of the many varied and permuting influences in the creation of a new operation doctrine. Please bear in mind that I took two discrete and diametrically opposed tactical situations and briefly examined the diametrically opposing solutions created.

One version is attempting to write history with a new, expensive and unproven technology. We are assured by the vendors of this technology, which has killed numbers of pilots during testing and break-in, that it will work better than my sainted granny’s oatmeal raisin cookies. The other is attacking its operational challenges with proven tactics and technology. I will note in passing that this approach seems to be working right now.

There is an important update at the end of the article about the Queen’s Royal Hussars detailing why this approach will not work for the US military.