2015-10-06 By Robbin Laird The F-35 is not only not simply a replacement aircraft, but it is a global aircraft. And with the allies buying around 50% of the aircraft over the next few years, while Washington sorts out its strategy, the innovation driven by the allies will be significant…
2015-09-27 By Robbin Laird Earlier I have visited the Queen Elizabeth and discussed the initial approach to shaping a cross-modernization strategy for the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force. The SLD team has visited the RAF based at Beaufort USMC Air Station and talked with the team there about…
2015-09-23 By Robbin Laird and Ed Timperlake Recently, General “Hawk” Carlisle underscored that the USAF is already engaged in reshaping the force to execute fifth generation warfare. It is important to look at the impact of the F-22 operations on the total force. We do not wish, nor do the…
2015-10-03 Recently, a KC-30A refueled a KC-30A with the new boom system. On 13 August 2015 two KC-30 aircraft from RAAF Amberley conducted a Air to Air refueling training sortie. The Australian Air Force KC-30 aircraft is carrying out an air to air refueling operation using the Airbus Defence and…
10/03/2015: On Sept. 7, the first F-35A assembled outside the US, made its very first flight from Cameri airbase. The aircraft, designated AL-1, is the first of eight aircraft currently being assembled at the Final Assembly and Check Out (FACO) facility at Cameri, in northwestern Italy. During the flight, that lasted about…
2015-09-22 By Robbin Laird In this interview, the discussion continues with Group Captain Robert Denney, Chief of Staff, for the Air Combat Group. In an interview conducted at Williamtown Air base on August 12, 2015, Denney discussed the challenges of current operations and working the transition whereby Super Hornets have…
2015/09/15 By Robbin Laird During my recent visit to Australia, where the Royal Australian Air Force is shaping its path ahead with regard to transformation via what it calls Plan Jericho, its combat experience in the Middle East is providing an important input to the way ahead. As the new Chief…
09/21/2015: An F-16C from the 419th Fighter Wing, Hill Air Force Base, UT, escorts two F-35A Lightning II aircraft from Fort Worth, TX, to Hill AFB on September 2, 2015. The two Lightning II aircraft are the Air Force’s first two combat-coded F-35As to be permanently assigned to the 34th…
