11/08/2014: The initial carrier tests of the F-35 have begun aboard the USS Nimitz. It is clear from our visit to Fallon and our discussion with the head of Naval Warfare that the Navy leadership is getting ready to welcome the F-35 and to leverage the asset to work more…
2014-11-11 In this video, members of the 33rd Fighter Wing address the F-35 maintenance approach being implemented at Eglin AFB. 33rd Maintenance Group operates at the 33rd Fighter Wing. The mission of the 33rd Maintenance Group is to deliver safe, reliable and on-time aircraft to support F-35 pilot and maintainer…
2014-11-09 By Robbin Laird and Ed Timperlake During our visit to the Naval Strike and Air Warfare Center in October 2014, we had a chance to discuss the importance of training and the way ahead with CDR Charles "Chunks" Smith. Question; You are currently at Top Gun but what is…
2014-11-06 VMX-22 flew to USS AMERICA and worked with the crew in shaping an initial maintenance regime aboard the ship. The ship has a hanger bay below the flight deck where maintenance is performed, unlike legacy large deck amphibs. The AMERICA class ship has a much larger hangar bay that…
2014-11-08 When a country has joined the F-35 global enterprise, whatever variant they start with they can clearly mix and match going forward. The commonality of the combat systems and the cockpit makes flexibility an inherent capability. Australia has made a clear commitment to the F-35 and to reshaping its…
2014-11-05 Recently, the Rome based think tank, Centro Studi Internazionali, published their look at the F-35 program, its impact on Italian defense and the role of Italy within the global enterprise. The report was authored by Francesco Tosato who is the analyst in charge of military affairs at the Center…
2014-11-04By Robbin Laird and Ed Timperlake We started our visit to The Naval Strike and Air Warfare Center at Fallon Naval Air Station with the outgoing and incoming commanding officers of Plans, Programs and Tactics, or STRIKE (N5) in the Center. Plans, Programs and Tactics, or STRIKE (N5) is involved…
2014-10-28 By Robbin Laird In a recent interview, Lou Kratz, underscored the core strategic point concerning what the F-35 deployed as a fleet can contribute: When the program that we recognize today as the F-35 was first conceived, there was a national and international recognition of the need for rapid…
