2016-02-25 As we look at the evolution of airpower, and its evolving role in military operations, we have argued that they can form the backbone for the insertion of force, properly calibrated, effects achieved and withdrawn. Evolving concepts of operations under the influence of technology are clearly changing the ways…
2016-02-18 We have discussed the evolution of Italian Airpower with senior Italian Air Force leaders. And the Italian reshaping of their airpower capabilities with the modernization of the Eurofighter and the building, deploying and integration of the F-35, both the the As and the Bs, is a key part of…
2016-02-08 On Feb. 5, the Italian Air Force’s first F-35, AL-1 with code “32-01” and markings of the 32 Stormo Wing landed at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland, at the end of the JSF’s first ever transatlantic flight. The aircraft was piloted by “Ninja,”an Italian Air Force test pilot, belonging to the Reparto…
2016-02-14 By Robbin Laird and Ed Timperlake The F-35 working with robotic elements and with new weapons can empower a distributed operations approach. This approach is being tested out at various centers of innovation within the U.S. military and will be synergistic with allied partners. Traditional assets, such as the…
2016-02-18 By Todd Miller Three weeks of intensive Red Flag aerial warfighting culminated 2-12-16. This first of four Red Flag exercises to be held in 2016 featured 39 units, 120 aircraft and 2400 personnel from three countries, the United States, United Kingdom, and Australia. Group Captain Philip Gordon, Air Expeditionary…
2016-02-12 The Eurofighter is being effectively modernized with a new radar and with the integration of longer-range missiles for both ground attack and air-to-air operations. The Eurofighter as well is subsuming Tornado missions with the integration of key missiles such as Brimstone and Spear. According to a press release from Eurofighter…
2016-02-15 Red Flag is evolving as the services and partners focus on the need and capability to operate in the extended battlespace. In early 2015, we visited Nellis, and discussed the evolution of Red Flag with senior USAF officers. Col. Jeffrey Weed, the Commander of the 414th Combat Training Squadron clearly…
2016-02-04 By Robbin Laird and Ed Timperlake Pax River is the home of a key F-35 Integrated Test Force (ITF), which is focused on various aspects of the sea services F-35Bs and F-35Cs. The ITF test regime is on the airframe, and flying characteristics in modes both symmetric and asymmetric,…