News, Articles and Comment

Ed. A summary of the UK Coastal Security and Communities conference that was co-hosted by the RN Strategic Studies Centre and the University of Portsmouth in April 2023. The author expands upon the major themes that were discussed, making the connection between technology, the environment, and the United Kingdom’s coastal communities. A 10 minute read.

Ed. The author provides an important update on USN and RN nuclear submarine developments, highlighting the major challenges for the Services and the industrial base over the next decade. A 5 minute read.

Ed. The author responds to Sir Jeremy Blackham’s recent article concerning the future of Britain’s nuclear and conventional deterrence.

BRE. The latest review is now available. On this occasion, it is an article review, focusing on the development of naval command and control in the UK, US, and Canadian Navies between 1945 and 1970.

The latest book review is now available. It looks at the 2023 edition of the Seaforth World Naval Review: https://www.naval-review.com/book-reviews/seaforth-world-naval-review-2023/

Ed. Jeremy Blackham considers the future of Britain’s strategic nuclear deterrent, and the difficult choices that will have to be made in an environment of increasing threats, tightening budgets, and relentless price-inflation. Originally published 28 February 2023 by CityForum (https://www.cityforum.co.uk/the-strategic-choices-for-defence-by-sir-jeremy-blackham/). A 20 minute read.

Ed. Naval practitioners have previously commented on the mission-focused desirability of warship modularity [NR 111/1, p. 34]. In this article, the author argues in favour of adopting the modular NavyPods technology concept aboard the Royal Navy’s Hunt-class Mine Countermeasure Vessels. A 10 minute read.

Ed. In this third instalment of his history of the Royal Navy’s Naval Brigades during the 19th century, the author reflects on the legacy of the Anglo-Zulu War of 1879, and demonstrates the lessons learned since the Crimean War. A 20 minute read.

Ed. Not too unlike the Hellenstic inventor Archimedes and his patron Hiero II of Syracuse, or 20th century technologists such as Bob Noyce and William Shockley, brothers Samuel and Jeremy Bentham were a pair of functionalist Georgian characters. While Jeremy is well known for his contributions to the Reform Movement and utilitarian philosophy, the younger brother Samuel, a prototypical early steam-era inventor and Royal Navy engineer, in the mold of predecessors such as Thomas Slade and Charles Middleton, or successors like Sir Robert Seppings and Sir Nathaniel Barnaby, is less well known. The authors herein examine Samuel Bentham’s life and work. A 30 minute read.