2016-08-01 By Robbin Laird I have had the chance to visit with the pilots and crews of four new or modified new air systems used by the U.S. and the allies in current Middle Eastern operations. Each of these platforms has provided capabilities important to the effort and foreshadows the…
2016-07-22 When we recently visited the Air Combat Command, we were informed that at RIAT 2016, a session with four pilots had been held at RIAT 2016, which provided a perspective from the squadron pilot’s perspective. The pilots came from the USAF, the USMC, the RAF, and the Norwegian Air…
2016-07-19 By Richard Weitz Last week, the U.S. Defense Department announced that, following months of assessment by a Republic of Korea (ROK)-U.S. Joint Working Group, the U.S. Forces Korea command would station a Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) battery in the ROK. According to the announcement, “The THAAD deployment will…
2016-07-11 The P-8/Triton dyad is introducing a new maritime domain awareness strike capability to the fleet and to the joint and coalition forces. In our latest Special Report, we look at the emergence of this capability in the US, and Australian forces and the P-8 in the Indian, and UK forces. On May…
2016-07-14 By Robbin Laird The P-8, which is a Maritime Domain Awareness Strike capability, is coming to RAF Lossiemouth. This is part of the transition for the base becoming a 21st century air base positioned in the North of the United Kingdom and positioned in a key area for the…
2016-07-13 The F-35B will be a staple for the USMC and the RAF and will fly with the Italian Navy as well. There are a number of other Air Forces which are clearly interested in the aircraft as well, including Israel, Singapore, Japan, and Spain. The plane can operate in…
2016-07-05 By Todd Miller The United States and Allies have few concerns higher than the proliferation of Anti-Access/Area Denial (A2/AD) capabilities among potential adversaries. A2/AD systems deployed in the South China Sea, Middle-East, or along Europe’s eastern borders threaten US and allied freedom of movement and power projection. A2/AD is not…
2016-07-05 By Robbin Laird During my visit to RAF Lossiemouth in late April 2016, I had a chance to meet with the Officer Commanding and members of the Tornado Operational Conversion Unit, XV(R) Squadron. When one looks at the end of an era, in this case the sun setting on the…
