2017-03-02 By Robbin Laird The F-35 is entering into operations precisely as the second nuclear age becomes a key strategic reality. A new plane and a new age have arrived at about the same time. It is the strategic context which drives the operational demands upon the aircraft and its…
2017-02-24 By Robbin Laird During the Norwegian Airpower Conference held at Trondheim in early February 2017, I had a chance to discuss with the new Chief the Royal Norwegian Air Force, Major General Tonje Skinnarland, and Brigadier General Jan Ove Rygg, chief of the National Air Operations Center (NAOC) their…
2017-02-22 By Todd Miller The unmistakable Grumman EA-6B Prowler comes into view on the horizon and streaks low across the hills of southern Virginia. “Dog 31” of the VMAQ-3 Moon Dogs is on a routine low level training mission. The flight ensures pilot and electronic countermeasures officers (ECMOs) realize the…
2017-02-27 The F-35C is a key part of the evolving carrier air wing. Its importance was highlighted in an interview we did with the current Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Warfare Systems (OPNAV N9) when he was head of Naval Air Warfare at N98. Question: When we were at…
2017-02-18 By Robbin Laird After the Norwegian Airpower Conference, 2017, I had a chance to talk with the head of the Norwegian Navy, Rear Admiral Lars Saunes. Because this was an airpower conference, the focus on the maritime dimension naturally was primarily focused on air-sea integration in the extended defense…
2017-02-23 By Robbin Laird Prior to attending the Norwegian Airpower Conference in Trondheim, I was able to meet with Mr. Øystein BØ, the State Secretary and Deputy Defense Minister at the Norwegian Ministry of Defense to discuss his perspective on the way ahead for Norway and NATO in the Northern…
2017-02-15 The Aussie Wedgetail has come to Red Flag 2017-1 and has provided advanced C2 and support to a fifth generation enabled air combat force. F-35s, F-22s and advanced legacy aircraft like Typhoons have been supported throughout by the most advanced air battle management system operating today. And it is…
2017-02-13 By Robbin Laird During the first week of February this year (February 7-9), the Chief of Staff of the Norwegian Air Force sponsored an airpower conference entitled “Evolution to a Fifth Generation Air Force.” I had a chance as well to conduct a number of interviews while in Norway…
