The F-35 Global Enterprise: The Significance of the First Flight of the Italian Built F-35

10/06/2015
2015-10-06 By Robbin Laird The F-35 is not only not simply a replacement aircraft, but it is a global aircraft. And with the allies buying around 50% of the aircraft over the next few years, while Washington sorts out its strategy, the innovation driven by the allies will be significant…

The Importance of Innovation by Design for Combat Success: Building on the Legacy of Air Marshal Dowding

10/05/2015
2015-09-23 By Robbin Laird and Ed Timperlake Recently, General “Hawk” Carlisle underscored that the USAF is already engaged in reshaping the force to execute fifth generation warfare. It is important to look at the impact of the F-22 operations on the total force. We do not wish, nor do the…

Two 21st Century Air Systems Work Together: KC-30As Refuel F-35As

10/04/2015
2015-10-03 Recently, a KC-30A refueled a KC-30A with the new boom system. On 13 August 2015 two KC-30 aircraft from RAAF Amberley conducted a Air to Air refueling training sortie. The Australian Air Force KC-30 aircraft is carrying out an air to air refueling operation using the Airbus Defence and…

The Next Round of the Military Competition: Considering Non-Nuclear Strategic Technologies

10/04/2015
2015-09-25 By Richard Weitz When considering China and Russia, new or dramatically enhanced strategic technologies could vitally affect U.S. security during the next 15 years. Under certain conditions, revolutionary improvements in these capabilities could disrupt a strategic balance, but under different circumstances they strengthen stability and deterrence by making military…

The Italian Air Force and Baltic Air Patrolling

10/03/2015
10/03/2015: Italy was the lead nation for the NATO Air Policing Mission for the first part of 2015, reinforced by Poland. According to a Lithuanian Ministry of Defense press release on December 30, 2014: The incoming detachment of Italian Air force will participate in the 37th NATO Air Policing mission and…

Visiting 29 Squadron: Typhoons on Display

09/26/2015
2015-09-26 “In June 2005 the Squadron officially moved to its home base at RAF Coningsby and by July it was teaching new pilots for 17(R) Squadron on a formal course. Bucking the trend of recent squadron disbandments, 29(R) Squadron officially ‘stood up’ for operational service on 4 November 2005. This…