The Role of the F-35 in the Future of Power Projection

08/01/2012
By Robbin Laird and Ed Timperlake The F-35 and its ability to work with, to leverage and to enhance the capability of the power projection forces is at the heart of the next 20 years of rebuilding U.S. and allied forces. It is clear that a fundamental reconstruction is required…

Israel and the F-35

07/27/2012
According to a Reuters story (excerpts only): The Pentagon has reached an agreement with Lockheed Martin Corp on a $450 million program to enhance electronic warfare equipment on the F-35 fighter jet, and integrate Israeli-unique systems beginning in 2016, according to sources familiar with the negotiations. The deal, to be…

Flying the F-35: A Pilot’s Perspective

07/26/2012
Landing an F-35B vertically is more straightforward than it looks, and far easier than doing the same in an AV-8B Harrier, said Peter Wilson, a former U.K. military aviator who is now BAE Systems’ chief test pilot. “It’s just like magic,” Wilson told the reporters who assembled at the Farnborough…

The CNO on the Future of Warfighting: Reflections on the Future

07/26/2012
2012-07-26 By Robbin Laird and Ed Timperlake There were only four men in U.S. History awarded the five star rank of Fleet Admiral: Chester Nimitz, “Bull” Halsey, William Leahy and Earnie King. From their days at Annapolis to commanding the greatest Naval Fleet in history, each man spent significant time at…

UK F-35B Flies to Eglin AFB to Start its Testing

07/23/2012
2012-07-23  ZM135, a British F-35B and the first international Lightning II, takes off from Naval Air Station Fort Worth Joint Reserve Base at 9:03 a.m. CDT en route for Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. United Kingdom Royal Air Force Squadron Leader Jim Schofield piloted the short takeoff and vertical landing…

The Joint Strike Fighter and the Australian Defense Sector

07/17/2012
2012-07-18 By Kym Bergmann / Canberra This article has been provided by our new partner, Asia Pacific Defence Reporter and is published with their permission. The announcement that Australia would participate in the Joint Strike Fighter project was made almost exactly a decade ago on June 22, 2002.  In another…

Britain Demonstrates the Flexibility Inherent in the F-35 Program

07/16/2012
2012-07-16 by Robbin Laird This week the UK government will officially accept its first F-35B. There are a total of 4 under contract, which includes the first operational aircraft to be received in LRIP 7. This is a re-affirmation of the importance of the F-35 and the B version for the…