The Power of 'Operational Dirt'.

• Position: IN BRIEF

* Will Roper, former undersecretary of the Air Force for acquisition, technology and logistics, said Western military technology has an advantage over some of its adversaries: "operational dirt."

In other words, allies have proven that their platforms can collaborate in real-world fights.

"The fact that they have operational dirt on them is really important as a strategic message internationally that our systems are not just good on a blue-sky day, but they are operating in the real world...