Rolling Out the F-35 Fleet from the Testing Perspective: An Interview with the Chief Test Engineer for the F-35 ITF at Pax River

03/02/2016
2016-02-27 By Robbin Laird and Ed Timperlake During a recent visit to Pax River, we had the chance to discuss the F-35 test approach and way ahead with Andrew Maack. F-35 Integrated Test Force (ITF) chief test engineer. Although we were at Pax River, the F-35 ITF is rooted in…

The USAF Thinks About the Wolfpack: The Renorming of Airpower

02/27/2016
2016-02-24  Recently, Defense News reported cutting edge thinking from the USAF in which manned aircraft flew with unmanned aircraft to shape a joint mission. AFRL, working with the Air Force’s test pilot school, has already demonstrated that this concept of teaming a manned with an unmanned aircraft is possible in a…

Looking Back: Remembering Desert Storm and Looking Forward to the Renorming of Airpower

02/25/2016
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we have argued that they can form the backbone for the insertion of force, properly calibrated, effects achieved and withdrawn.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…

Italian Naval Airpower: The Importance of Showing Up at Beaufort Air Station

02/22/2016
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…