2016-02-28 By Edward Timperlake The skillfulness and success of fighter pilots in aerial combat is an extensively researched yet modestly understood and fundamentally complex concept. Innumerable physical and psychological factors along with chance opportunities affect a pilots facility for success in air combat. Perhaps the best narrative of the intangibles…
The F-35 is already part of the USMC combat force. It will join the USAF later this year. And next year the F-35C will come to the carrier air wing. In contrast to the constant barrage of chants from the Greek Chorus of program critics, the program is rapidly maturing.…
03/06/2016: Four EA-6B Prowlers assigned to 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing's Prowler Squadrons (VMAQT-1, VMAQ-2, 3, and 4) conduct a “Final Four” division flight near Cherry Point, N.C., March. 1, 2016. The 4 Prowlers flew together one last time before the official retirement of Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare Training Squadron 1…
2016-03-05 According to an article published by Airman 1st Class Jessica Evans and published on February 22, 2016, Edwards has sent F-35s to the Mountain Home AFB to work integration with legacy aircraft. MOUNTAIN HOME AIR FORCE BASE, Idaho - Six F-35As arrived at Mountain Home AFB, Idaho, Feb. 8,…
2016-03-05 According to a story on the French Ministry of Defense website, the combination of Reapers and Harfangs have exceeded 15,000 operational hours during the Operation Barkhane. The RPA squadron Belfort deployed in early 2013, and now has flown more than 15,000 hours with its RPAs. The French Squadron operates two…
2016-03-01 Part of the Australian re-set on defense is the construction of new submarines. And these submarines will carry combat systems, almost certainly American, designed to be software upgradeable, like the Wedgetail or F-35, to evolve over time and to connect more effectively with a better connected Australian Defence Force…
2016-03-04 Given the capabilities of the KC-30A in terms of fuel loads, reach and range (including its own capability to be refueled) and the reach of a fleet of F-35s in terms of their interactive capabilities, the combination will be a powerful one. We are visiting Edwards AFB next week and…
2016-02-29 The venerable CH-53 has been a staple for Marines in providing heavy lift since the Vietnam War. The origins of the heavy lift helo is described by Wikipedia as follows: In 1960, the United States Marine Corps began to seek a replacement for their HR2S piston-powered helicopters. On 27 January 1961, the Marine Corps…
