HMAS Arunta Undocking After Major Upgrade

12/03/2018
On 28 November 2018, after more than 400 days out of the water, Royal Australian Navy frigate HMAS Arunta undocked to finalise her midlife capability assurance program upgrade at BAE Henderson Dockyard, Western Australia. [maxgallery id="121586"] The upgrade included significant improvements to major platform systems such as the communications centre,…

USAF Honors RAAF Air Refuellers

11/29/2018
Two Royal Australian Air Force aircraft refuellers have been lauded by their United States counterparts for their contribution to coalition operations in the Middle East. In six months of deployment, Sergeant Kane O'Connor and Leading Aircraftman Shane Brown supplied more than 530 aircraft with almost 27 million litres of fuel, which is…

The RAAF, Drones and C-17s: A New Maintenance Tool

11/27/2018
The RAAF’s 36 Squadron is using the popular DJI Phantom 4 drone to conduct visual inspections of its C-17 Globemaster transport aircraft. Using the consumer-level drone, which retails for around $1,100, means 36SQN maintenance personnel can inspect hard-to-access areas of the aircraft, including its 16.8-metre high vertical stabiliser, for paint…

The Coming of the CH-53K: Preparing for Its Long-Term Supportability

11/27/2018
By Robbin Laird As I have noted earlier, the CH-53K is the next major USMC air platform, which reflects a 21st century development, build and support process. The aircraft is a digital aircraft and has been designed with supportability built into the aircraft. The software upgradeability of the aircraft allows…

Industry 4.0: The Case of the F-35

11/19/2018
By Robbin Laird Because the F-35 has been built from the outset on a digital thread production approach and foundation, the program can incorporate, and contribute to a broader set of industrial transformations, known as Industry 4.0. In other words, the F-35 can produce an innovative combat aircraft but it…

China, South Africa and Military Logistics

11/15/2018
By Kabelo Tsogang A delegation from the People’s Republic of China (PRC) Central Military Commission Logistics Support division, steered by its Deputy Chief of Administrative Office, Senior Colonel Huang Dongping, have visited the South African Department of Defence Logistics Division in Pretoria and Cape Town to finalise hosting the first military…

The Next Phase of Global Transit: Leveraging the Northern Passage

09/20/2018
Interestingly, a combination of a Danish transport company, Chinese shipbuilding and Russian clients have put together the next phase of global transit.  A Maersk ship has left Asia bound for Russia through the Northern Passage. "A brand new ice-strengthened containership is heading straight into the annals of maritime history. As…

UK MoD’s Shropshire Military Support Hub

09/15/2018
The UK MoD opened up a new military support hub last year to support UK force operations. A recent article on the UK MoD website highlighted the development. Defence Minister Stuart Andrew visited the £83 million Defence Fulfilment Centre (DFC) after touring the armoury and current logistic facilities on-site at…