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,…
2016-02-04 By Robbin Laird and Ed Timperlake Our visit to the Pax River Integrated Test Force (ITF) concluded with an interview with two members of the British contingent of the ITF, along with a senior U.S. test engineer — which, in itself, was a demonstration of how the ITF works as…
2016-02-04 By Ed Timperlake and Robbin Laird In a visit to Pax River on January 8, 2015, we had a chance to talk with members of the Integrated Test Team at Pax River, which includes Marines, Navy, Brits and civilians as well as contractors. This team is wringing out the…
By Robbin Laird, Ed Timperlake and Murielle Delaporte U.S. Navy’s Military Sealift Command (MSC) stands as the base of the Navy sea pyramid, providing the foundation and services that enable the warfighting ship to operate at and from the sea. Yet when it comes to the struggle for resources, the…
2016-02-04 Kenneth Maxwell In a period of profound historical change as we are undergoing, understanding is at a premium. And what might be called the “inside the beltway” phenomenon is a key barrier to shaping effective understanding and policy responses. The culture of the analysts drives the debate, not the…
01/31/2015: The Red Flag exercise is a realistic combat training exercise involving the air forces of the United States, its allies, and coalition partners. Red Flag is conducted on the vast bombing and gunnery ranges of the 2.9M acre Nevada Test and Training Range. It is one of a series of…