2012-11-04 Australia is a major buyer of the Airbus Military 330 tanker. It has benefited significantly from the development of the tanker for the USAF, and unlike the USAF, will benefit from the result. [caption id="attachment_46972" align="alignnone" width="300"] RAAF A330 MRTT (KC-30A) refueling an F-16 through ARBS. Credit Photo: Airbus…
2012-11-03 In a four-part follow up set of interviews, Second Line of Defense is looking at the role and impact of the USS America. Interviews have been conducted with the prospective commander of the ship, the head of amphibious ship building in the USN, a senior USMC general on its…
2012-10-28 by Robbin Laird As the littoral combat ships come to the fleet, sailors and seamen are learning how to operate the ship and to shape the concepts of operations for the new ships. After the keel laying ceremony for LCS-6, I had a chance to talk to two of these…
Just when the large deck carrier demand goes up, but the supply goes down, adding the USS America to the fleet provides a long-term solution set. The expanding capabilities of the Gator navy come as change occurs in other parts of the USN fleet. And in the time it takes…
2012-10-20 by Robbin Laird The USS America was christened today in the Ingalls shipyard. This is the fourth ship to bear the name USS America. History of USS America It was done with a gathering of veterans, ship workers, and industrialists, members of the crew and various high ranking military…
2012-10-22 By Robbin Laird The F-35 is a fifth generation aircraft, which has been characterized by one of its most notable pilots as a “situational awareness machine.” I referred to in a Defense News op ed in 2005 as a “flying combat system.” But too often in a platform centric acquisition…
2012-10-19 By Robbin Laird I am attending the christening event for the new America class ship which will be held October 20, 2012. And have had the opportunity to discuss the ship with several key players in developing and defining the new ship. Discussions have been held with the prospective…
2012-10-18 Airbus Military is working to better leverage the lessons learned from users of its legacy aircraft, the CASA family. And this approach will lay a solid foundation for what is to come with regard to the tanker and the new A400M airlifter. And recently, Airbus Military hosted meetings at…
