2016-08-28 By Robbin Laird When I first became involved with the Williams Foundation, the initial focus was upon discussing, analyzing and explaining fifth generation aircraft and what they could bring to the force. This meant in part discussing two platforms which are described as fifth generation, namely the F-22 and…
2016-08-28 By Garth McLennan The United States Congress is contemplating changes to the standards it uses to define its defense architecture against ballistic missile threats. Any such changes are likely to be more symbolic than substantive in the short term, but over time will create more political space for the development…
2016-08-22 By Kenneth Maxwell The most negative expectations for the Rio Olympic Games did not materialize. Zika did not impact tourists or athletes as expected (at least not so far). The number of foreign visitors was less than anticipated, though those that came to Rio enjoyed the competitions. Many stadiums were often…
2016-08-18 By Robbin Laird When I last visited Amberley airbase two years ago, the KC-30A was a project of concern. Now it has become a key combat asset within the RAAF contribution to current Australian and allied Middle East operations. This time with those operations ongoing, Pitch Black 2016 ramping…
2016-08-19 According to Air Commodore Richard Lennon, Commander of the RAAF’s Air Mobility Group, the C-130J played a prominent role in Pitch Black 2016. Our first attempt at using C-130 equipped with Link 16 on Exercise Pitch Black 16 has been very successful. For the first time the C-130 crew have…
2016-08-20 Todd Miller spent August 15, 2016 aboard the USS George Washington observing the seven F-35Cs onboard. The USS George Washington (CVN-73) is hosting the F-35C in its final Developmental Testing cycle (DT-III) Aug. 14-23. However, for a few of those days the two VX-23 “Salty Dogs” F-35Cs from NAS…
2016-08-19 During the Pitch Black 2016 exercise, a KC-30A refueled US F-16s coming from Japan to the exercise in Australia. On July 19, a RAAF KC-30A flew non-stop with six F-16Cs from Kadena Air Base, Japan to RAAF Base Darwin in just over six hours. RAAF Group Captain (GPCAPT) Adam…
2016-08-20 By Richard Weitz In another of the bold moves that has marked Putin’s Syria campaign since it began last September, the Russian Air Force began using bases in Iran on August 16 to support its bombing campaign in Syria. For several days now, Tupolev-22M3 Backfire long-range supersonic bombers and the…
