Eurofighter Modernization: Lars Joergensen Explains the Approach

10/27/2015
2015-10-21  By Robbin Laird During my visit to Eurofighter in Munich, Paul Smith explained the thrust of modernization of Eurofighter and the approach highlighted by Italian test pilot, Major Raffaele Beltrame. In this interview, Lars Joergensen explains the underlying approach to modernization. The Second Line of Defense team first met…

Osprey Lands on HNLMS JOHAN DE WITT in Trident Juncture 2015

10/26/2015
10/26/2015: An Osprey lands on HNLMS JOHAN DE WITT during exercise Trident Juncture 2015. Credit: Natochannel.:10/22/13 This was prepared for during training earlier this year. The speed and range of the Osprey is a key combat enabler. It also provides significant reach and range to connect US and allied warships into…

An Update on the Evolution of Airpower: A Discussion with Lt. General Preziosa on the Way Ahead for the Italian Air Force (Updated With Italian Translation)

10/25/2015
2015-10-12 By Robbin Laird On September 29, 2015, I had a chance to meet with and to discuss with Lt. General Preziosa, his perspectives on the evolution of 21st century airpower. This is the third time I have had the opportunity to meet with the Italian Chief of Staff, and…

Coalition Missile Defense Test: USS Ross Intercepts Ballistic Missile Target

10/23/2015
10/23/2015: US Navy’s Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Ross (DDG 71) successfully intercepted a ballistic missile in the North Atlantic Ocean during the Maritime Theater Missile Defense (MTMD) Forum’s At Sea Demonstration (ASD) Oct. 20, 2015. This is first time a Standard Missile-3 (SM-3) Block IA guided interceptor was fired…

NATO Sec Gen Visits Joint Warfare Center in Norway

10/15/2015
10/15/2015: The Norwegians are serious about defense. And they are investing in capabilities to provide deterrence against their aggressive neighbor, the Russian bear. In the rollout of the first Norwegian F-35, Norwegian defense officials made it clear that there were focused on transforming their forces, with the F-35 as a…

Norway’s First F-35: Shaping a Way Ahead for the Global Enterprise

10/12/2015
2015-10-08 Whether discussing the evolution of airpower in Japan, South Korea, Australia, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, or Italy, there is little question that the F-35 is seen as not only a priority but a key element for reshaping or renorming airpower. The Norwegians have made this abundantly clear as…

The New Japanese White Paper: Shaping a Way Ahead

10/12/2015
2015-10-08 The Japanese released their 2015 White Paper in July and have published an English version as well. They also released a look back at defense activities in 2014. With regard to the security environment facing Japan the judgement is direct: “The security environment surrounding Japan has become increasingly severe,…