2013-09-25 One of the issues Secretary Wynne was briefed on and given a hands on look was Maintenance of Low Observable characteristics approach being shaped at the 33rd FW. USAF maintainers showed the Secretary how they were addressing the effort and rolling out the LO maintenance capability. The LO maintainers…
2013-09-23 By Ed Timperlake John Boyd in his lecture (which I sat through twice) had a sine qua non building block for his work: the F-86 versus Mig-15 exchange rate kills by his beloved F-86 in "MIG Ally. " The exchange rate was approximately 10 to 1. Lessons learned at…
2013-09-21 In our discussion in the ready room of VMFAT501with Lt. Col. Steve Gillette and Major Michael Rountree, Major Rountree discussed how the Harrier has been used the flexibility which the jet brings to MAGTF operations. SLD: The V of STOVL is really the important point. The flexibility of the…
2013-09-19 After his presentation to the leadership of the 33rd Fighter Wing, Secretary Wynne was asked to discuss the challenge of what is called concurrency. The answer by Wynne provided one of the best understandings of the reality of the approach taken in the modern aerospace industry. There would have concurrency…
2013-09-18 By Robbin Laird and Ed Timperlake The current Chief of Staff of the USAF has prioritized an IOC for the F-35 and the acquisition of the F-35. In Japan, he noted that: “The F-35 is flying, it is a real thing, and progress is real,” he said. Several countries, including…
9/17/13 The F-16 has unequivocally proven its worth for the armed forces in intervention and stabilization operations. In the coming decades, we will continue to require fighter aircraft. After comparing the candidates in 2001 and 2008, and updating the relevant information in 2013, the government has decided, on operational, financial…
The common F-35 fleet provides significant opportunities for members of the F-35 collaboration to share costs, operative experience, and maintenance as the fleet rolls out and deploys. Britain and Norway are working to do just that. According to a recent UPI story (exercpts): Britain and Norway are planning to collaborate…
2013-09-15 In a twist of the South Korean procurement dynamic, the MOD procurement officials are excluding two of the three competitors for the next cycle of acquisition of combat aircraft for the South Korean Air Force. The Eurofighter and the F-35 are being excluded from consideration because of procedural issues…
