2015-10-31 October 23rd 2015 was a historic day for the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) following the first combat refueling by a RAAF KC-30 Multirole Tanker Transport aircraft using its new-technology computerized refueling boom. The flying boom system allows for faster transfer of fuel than the hose-and-drogue system and will…
2015-10-30 The KC-30A has become a key element of the Australian expeditionary force. And the plane is a key enabler of Plan Jericho where the Royal Australian Air Force is focused upon shaping innovative 21st century concepts of operations. One of those changes is battlespace awareness and moving the tanker to the…
2015-10-18 By Robbin Laird The Plan Jericho approach for the Royal Australian Air Force is about shaping a more integrated force built on 21st century situational awareness and decision-making systems. It is a work in progress for the Royal Australian Air Force and the Australian Defence Force. It is clearly not just…
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…
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…
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…
2015-10-24 South Korea and US forces are working the offensive-defensive enterprise to deter North Koreans. One element is enhanced joint training in the ADA capabilities of the two ground forces. When a siren went off in the afternoon of July 15, Korean and U.S. soldiers moved to a launcher to…
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…