Cloud to ground: Iran puts foreign data centres on the front line

Recent strikes on Gulf infrastructure highlight a growing risk—digital services supporting finance, logistics and government depend on physical facilities, making resilience and distributed design essential. Future systems must absorb disruption to enable continued operation.

Strategic Influence

Iran war: lessons for Australia

The conflict highlights how long-range reach, resilient infrastructure, and cooperation with partners shape national security, reminding Australian authorities that geography alone no longer guarantees safety. Essential multi-domain capabilities include cyber, space and autonomous systems.

Air & Space Power

US Air Force’s CCA program advances with auto-flying software integration

The United States Air Force successfully integrated government autonomous software into both Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) prototypes, proving modular, vendor‑agnostic systems work; enabling rapid upgrades for future drone wingmen like the YFQ‑42A and YFQ‑44A.

Communication & Cognition

When Everyone Agrees, Nobody Sees

Strength comes from combining diverse perspectives; removing them creates blind spots, weakens decision‑making, and invites strategic failure. Diverse views are essential infrastructure for truth and security—they are not a distraction from them.

Strategic Influence

Iran’s threat to airline travel: The Gulf’s skies are now a chokepoint too

The attacks on the airport terminals show how targeting transport hubs can disrupt global travel and commerce. Interconnected infrastructure can become a strategic pressure point. Aviation chokepoints may prove more disruptive than maritime routes.

Military Management

US using low-cost drones on Iran

The drones are Low-cost Unmanned Combat Attack System (LUCAS) reverse-engineered Iranian Shahed drone designs. Affordable autonomous systems (US $35,000 each) show how simple, scalable technology can shift strategic thinking about cost, speed and innovation.

Strategic Influence

Solomon Islands faces a graduation it may not be ready for

The UN planned step-away from special international support may signal progress; but deep economic and climate vulnerabilities risk leaving the country more exposed unless transition settings and partner support are carefully managed.

Welcome to The Runway, a platform of curated content designed to develop the intellectual edge of aviators in Australia’s Air Force

Brought to you by Royal Australian Air Force leaders, straight to your homepage and inbox.

View the latest About The Runway

Taking off on The Runway

Air & Space Power

US Air Force’s CCA program advances with auto-flying software integration

The United States Air Force successfully integrated government autonomous software into both Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) prototypes, proving modular, vendor‑agnostic systems work; enabling rapid upgrades for future drone wingmen like the YFQ‑42A and YFQ‑44A.

Strategic Influence

Iran war: lessons for Australia

The conflict highlights how long-range reach, resilient infrastructure, and cooperation with partners shape national security, reminding Australian authorities that geography alone no longer guarantees safety. Essential multi-domain capabilities include cyber, space and autonomous systems.

Cloud to ground: Iran puts foreign data centres on the front line

Recent strikes on Gulf infrastructure highlight a growing risk—digital services supporting finance, logistics and government depend on physical facilities, making resilience and distributed design essential. Future systems must absorb disruption to enable continued operation.

Communication & Cognition

When Everyone Agrees, Nobody Sees

Strength comes from combining diverse perspectives; removing them creates blind spots, weakens decision‑making, and invites strategic failure. Diverse views are essential infrastructure for truth and security—they are not a distraction from them.

Introducing The All New

Runway App

You asked, we listened! We’ve made it easier than ever to support your professional development on the go – explore The Runway’s new mobile app. Everyone has 5 minutes to learn something new, so download the app today from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store to sharpen your intellectual edge.

Our Partners

Access Program Wirraway via ADELE ADELE

Found something worth contributing to The Runway? Contribute

Explore by topic

View all topics

CA-16 Wirraway

Military History

Cyber

Strategic Influence

Leadership

Communication & Cognition

Air & Space Power

Wellbeing

Military Management