2014-12-13 The F-35 is built by a 21st century manufacturing approach. When viewing the assembly line in Fort Worth, the reality of assembling a stealth aircraft is evident. Less evident is the 21st century approaches taken by the core industrial partners and global suppliers who ship in the core sections…
2014-12-13 The F-35 is not an airplane, but an air system. And one which will be global in character. Operationally, the impact of an integrated F-35 fleet will be significant. And no less so will be the global sustainment possibilities inherent in the program. The program has built in a…
2014-12-05 By Robbin Laird During my recent visit to the European Air Group, I had a chance to sit down with one of the Royal Air Force officers in charge of the aircraft's entry into service. Group Captain Paul Godfrey, OBE has extensive experience of a range of combat aircraft…
2014-12-04 By Robbin Laird The Royal Australian Air Force is in the throes of significant modernization. As I wrote during my visit earlier this year to Australia about the process of change: The Aussies entered the 21st century with an aging Air Force. The silver lining in that difficult position…
2014-12-01 By Ed Timperlake Previous Introduction 21st century warfare technologies concepts of operations and tactics and training are in evolution and revolution. At the heart of reshaping US and allied approaches to airpower and its evolution is the emergence of the F-35, the significant impact which a global fleet of F-35s…
2014-12-05 The first two aircraft landed onboard HMAS Canberra while alongside at Fleet Base East, Sydney in the build up to the ship’s commissioning. The aircraft flew from HMAS Albatross, Nowra to begin deck handling trials on the Landing Helicopter Dock (LHD). Although a significant step forward this is also…
2014-11-25 By Robbin Laird Both the UK and Italy will operate a mixed Eurofighter and F-35 fleet. Both have operated the Tornado, which is reaching the end of its service life. Both will sort through evolutions of the Eurofighter to encompass some of the mission sets for Tornado as the…
2014-11-14 By Robbin Laird and Ed Timperlake After our visit to the Naval Strike and Air Warfare Center at Fallon Naval Air Station where we focused on the training for the current and evolving integrated strike group, we had a chance to discuss our experience with Rear Admiral Michael Manazir,…
